Weather & Climate Script

Warm-Up: Weather Words (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Hola a todos y bienvenidos a nuestra clase de ciencias de hoy. Today, we're going to explore something super interesting that affects us every single day: the weather and the climate. But first, let's get our brains warmed up!"

"Vamos a jugar un juego rápido. I want you to think of any words, in English or Spanish, that come to mind when you hear the word 'weather' or 'el tiempo.' Don't worry about being right or wrong, just shout out whatever you think of! I'll write them on the board as you share."

(Pause for student responses, write words on the board - e.g., 'sunny,' 'rainy,' 'cold,' 'hot,' 'windy,' 'niebla,' 'nieve,' 'calor,' 'frío.')

Teacher: "¡Excelente! Fantastic job! We have so many great words. These are all things we experience regularly. Now, let's dive into what makes our daily conditions and our long-term patterns so unique."

Introduction: What's the Difference? (15 minutes)

(Display ¿Qué Pasa? Weather & Climate Slide Deck - Slide 1: Title Slide)

Teacher: "Take a look at our title slide: '¿Qué Pasa? Weather & Climate.' We're going to understand the difference between 'weather' and 'climate' today."

(Display ¿Qué Pasa? Weather & Climate Slide Deck - Slide 2: What is Weather? / ¿Qué es el tiempo?)

Teacher: "Let's start with 'weather' or 'el tiempo.' Can someone read the English definition for us?"

(Pause for student to read)

Teacher: "Thank you! So, weather is what you get right now, today, or even in the next few hours. It's the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. Think about it: does the weather stay the same all day? No! It can change super fast. It might be sunny now, then rainy later."

"¿Alguien puede leer la definición en español?"

(Pause for student to read)

Teacher: "¡Gracias! Exactly! Es lo que sucede en este momento, lo que sentimos y vemos cada día. What are some words from our warm-up that describe today's weather?"

(Pause for responses, reinforce the concept of short-term changes.)

(Display ¿Qué Pasa? Weather & Climate Slide Deck - Slide 3: What is Climate? / ¿Qué es el Clima?)

Teacher: "Now, let's move to 'climate' or 'el clima.' This is a bit different. Weather is what you get, but climate is what you expect."

"Who can read the English definition for climate?"

(Pause for student to read)

Teacher: "Great! Climate is the average weather conditions over a very long time – usually 30 years or more! It's like the typical personality of a place. For example, in a desert, you expect it to be hot and dry, even though some days might be cooler or have a tiny bit of rain. That's its climate."

"Y, ¿quién puede leer la definición en español?"

(Pause for student to read)

Teacher: "¡Perfecto! El clima es el promedio del tiempo a largo plazo. Think about our city. What kind of weather do we usually have in the summer? What about in the winter? That long-term pattern is our climate."

"So, weather is like your outfit for today, and climate is your whole wardrobe, the clothes you expect to wear over a year. Any questions about the basic difference so far?"

Vocabulary Exploration (20 minutes)

(Distribute index cards and markers/pencils. Display ¿Qué Pasa? Weather & Climate Slide Deck - Slide 4: Key Weather Words / Palabras Clave del Tiempo)

Teacher: "Okay, everyone, you have index cards. We're going to create some important bilingual vocabulary cards to help us remember these terms. On one side, write the English word, and on the other, you can write the Spanish word or draw a small picture to help you remember. We will go through the words together."

"First, 'Temperature' / 'Temperatura.' This is how hot or cold it is. Write it down. (Pause) Can anyone use 'temperature' in a sentence? Or 'temperatura' in a sentence?"

(Go through each term on Slide 4: Precipitation/Precipitación, Humidity/Humedad, Wind/Viento, Clouds/Nubes. For each, give the English and Spanish, a brief definition, and ask for student examples or sentences.)

(Display ¿Qué Pasa? Weather & Climate Slide Deck - Slide 5: Key Climate Words / Palabras Clave del Clima)

Teacher: "Now let's add some climate-related words to our cards. These will help us talk about those long-term patterns."

"'Average' / 'Promedio.' This means a typical amount or value over time. For example, the average temperature in July is 80 degrees. Write that down. (Pause) How might 'average' relate to climate?"

(Go through each term on Slide 5: Season/Estación, Pattern/Patrón, Region/Región, Long-term/Largo Plazo. For each, give the English and Spanish, a brief definition, and ask for student examples or sentences.)

Teacher: "Great job with these vocabulary cards! Keep them safe, they'll be very helpful."

Worksheet: Weather vs. Climate (25 minutes)

(Distribute either the Weather vs. Climate Worksheet - English or El Tiempo vs. El Clima Worksheet - Spanish to students.)

Teacher: "Alright, now it's your turn to put your knowledge into action. I'm handing out a worksheet. Some of you will receive the English version, and some the Spanish version. Read the instructions carefully. Your task is to decide if each statement describes 'weather' or 'climate.' You'll also answer a few questions about your own understanding."

"You can work on this independently, or you can quietly discuss with a partner if you both received the same language worksheet. I'll be walking around to answer any questions you have. Remember to use your vocabulary cards if you need help!"

(Circulate, provide support, clarify instructions, and encourage students. Remind them to think about 'short-term' vs. 'long-term'.)

Review and Discussion (10 minutes)

(Have the Weather & Climate Answer Key ready.)

Teacher: "Okay, let's go over our worksheets together! We'll use the Answer Key to check our work and make sure we all understand the differences. As we review, if you got an answer wrong, don't worry! This is how we learn. Just make a note or correct it."

"For the first question, 'It rained heavily yesterday.' Weather or Climate? (Pause for answers) Yes, that's Weather because it's a specific event that happened yesterday. It's short-term."

(Go through the worksheet questions, calling on students to share their answers and explain their reasoning. Use both English and Spanish as appropriate.)

Teacher: "Excellent discussion, everyone. Are there any questions remaining about weather or climate? What was the trickiest part for you?"

Cool-Down: One Big Difference (10 minutes)

(Refer to the Cool-Down: One Big Difference Activity instructions.)

Teacher: "To wrap up our lesson, let's do our 'Cool-Down: One Big Difference' activity. On a piece of paper or in your science journal, I want you to write down one main difference between weather and climate. You can write it in English, in Spanish, or both! Then, draw a small picture that represents that difference. Think about what we discussed today and what stood out to you."

"This will help me see what you remember most from our lesson today."

(Allow students time to write and draw. Collect papers as an exit ticket.)

Teacher: "¡Magnífico trabajo hoy! You all did a fantastic job distinguishing between weather and climate and learning new vocabulary. I hope you enjoyed our bilingual science exploration!"

Weather vs. Climate Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Part 1: Weather or Climate?

Read each statement below. Write Weather if the statement describes weather, and Climate if it describes climate.

1. It rained heavily yesterday, causing puddles on the playground.
   
   
   
2. The Sahara Desert is known for its hot and dry conditions year-round.
   
   
   
3. Tomorrow's forecast predicts sunny skies with a high of 75°F.
   
   
   
4. Florida experiences humid summers and mild winters.
   
   
   
5. A strong hurricane is expected to hit the coast next week.
   
   
   
6. Antarctica has an average annual temperature far below freezing.
   
   
   
7. The temperature dropped suddenly this afternoon, and it feels chilly.
   
   
   
8. The region typically receives heavy snowfall in December.
   
   
   

Part 2: Think About It!

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

9. Describe today's weather in your own words. Use at least two vocabulary words from our lesson.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Describe the climate of our city/region. What kind of weather do we generally expect each year?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Hoja de Trabajo: El Tiempo vs. El Clima

Nombre: _____________________________

Fecha: _____________________________

Parte 1: ¿Tiempo o Clima?

Lee cada afirmación. Escribe Tiempo si la afirmación describe el tiempo, y Clima si describe el clima.

1. Ayer llovió mucho, formando charcos en el patio de recreo.
   
   
   
2. El desierto del Sahara es conocido por sus condiciones cálidas y secas durante todo el año.
   
   
   
3. El pronóstico para mañana predice cielos soleados con una máxima de 24°C.
   
   
   
4. Florida experimenta veranos húmedos e inviernos suaves.
   
   
   
5. Se espera que un fuerte huracán golpee la costa la próxima semana.
   
   
   
6. La Antártida tiene una temperatura media anual muy por debajo del punto de congelación.
   
   
   
7. La temperatura bajó repentinamente esta tarde y hace frío.
   
   
   
8. La región típicamente recibe fuertes nevadas en diciembre.
   
   
   

Parte 2: ¡Piensa!

Responde las siguientes preguntas en oraciones completas.

9. Describe el tiempo de hoy con tus propias palabras. Usa al menos dos palabras de vocabulario de nuestra lección.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Describe el clima de nuestra ciudad/región. ¿Qué tipo de tiempo esperamos generalmente cada año?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Weather & Climate Answer Key

Part 1: Weather or Climate?

1. It rained heavily yesterday, causing puddles on the playground.

   • Answer: Weather
   • Reasoning: This describes a specific, short-term atmospheric event that occurred on a particular day. It is a daily observation.

2. The Sahara Desert is known for its hot and dry conditions year-round.

   • Answer: Climate
   • Reasoning: This describes the typical, long-term atmospheric patterns and conditions of a large region over many years.

3. Tomorrow's forecast predicts sunny skies with a high of 75°F (24°C).

   • Answer: Weather
   • Reasoning: This is a prediction for specific atmospheric conditions for a single upcoming day, which is a short-term observation.

4. Florida experiences humid summers and mild winters.

   • Answer: Climate
   • Reasoning: This describes the general, expected seasonal patterns and average conditions of a state over many years.

5. A strong hurricane is expected to hit the coast next week.

   • Answer: Weather
   • Reasoning: A hurricane is a specific, powerful atmospheric event occurring over a relatively short period, even if predicted in advance.

6. Antarctica has an average annual temperature far below freezing.

   • Answer: Climate
   • Reasoning: This refers to the long-term average temperature of an entire continent, indicating its typical, long-term atmospheric conditions.

7. The temperature dropped suddenly this afternoon, and it feels chilly.

   • Answer: Weather
   • Reasoning: This describes a rapid, short-term change in atmospheric conditions experienced within a single day.

8. The region typically receives heavy snowfall in December.

   • Answer: Climate
   • Reasoning: This describes a recurring, expected pattern of precipitation for a particular month in a specific region, indicating a long-term trend.

Part 2: Think About It!

Note to Teacher: Student answers will vary. Look for understanding of key concepts and appropriate use of vocabulary.

9. Describe today's weather in your own words. Use at least two vocabulary words from our lesson.

   • Example Answer (English): Today the temperature is warm, and there is high humidity. It feels a bit sticky outside, but it is sunny right now.
   • Example Answer (Spanish): Hoy la temperatura es cálida y hay mucha humedad. Se siente un poco pegajoso afuera, pero está soleado en este momento.

10. Describe the climate of our city/region. What kind of weather do we generally expect each year?

    • Example Answer (English): The climate of our city is generally moderate. We typically expect warm summers with some precipitation and mild winters with occasional cold spells. We don't usually get very heavy snow.
    • Example Answer (Spanish): El clima de nuestra ciudad es generalmente moderado. Típicamente esperamos veranos cálidos con algo de precipitación e inviernos suaves con ocasionales olas de frío. Normalmente no recibimos mucha nieve.

Warm-Up: Weather Words!

Instructions (English):
Think about words that come to mind when you hear "weather." Shout them out! We will write them on the board.

Instrucciones (Español):
Piensa en palabras que te vienen a la mente cuando escuchas "el tiempo." ¡Dílas en voz alta! Las escribiremos en el pizarrón.

Brainstorming Space (for teacher notes or student ideas)

Cool-Down: One Big Difference

Instructions (English):
On a piece of paper, write down one main difference between weather and climate. Then, draw a small picture that helps explain that difference. You can write your answer in English, Spanish, or both!

Instrucciones (Español):
En una hoja de papel, escribe una diferencia principal entre el tiempo y el clima. Luego, haz un dibujo pequeño que ayude a explicar esa diferencia. ¡Puedes escribir tu respuesta en inglés, español o ambos!

Your Answer / Tu Respuesta:

Your Drawing / Tu Dibujo: