Lesson Plan
Weather Whiz Kids!
Students will be able to compare and describe day-to-day weather in different locations at the same time, including air temperature, wind direction, and precipitation.
Understanding weather helps us prepare for the day, choose appropriate clothing, and even understand global climate patterns. This lesson teaches important observational and comparative skills relevant to their daily lives.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time
5 sessions, 30 minutes each
Approach
Through daily observations, discussions, and activities, students will compare weather data.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Weather Whiz Kids! Slide Deck, World Map, Chart paper or large whiteboard for daily weather log, Colored markers, Daily Weather Watch Warm-Up, Weather Wrap-Up Cool-Down, Weather Observation Worksheet, Global Weather Reporters Activity, and Weather Wonders Quiz
Prep
Teacher Preparation
20 minutes before Day 1, 5 minutes before each subsequent day
- Review the Weather Whiz Kids! Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
- Prepare a world map for display.
- Set up a large chart or whiteboard for the 'Daily Weather Log'.
- Print copies of the Weather Observation Worksheet (one per student for Day 2).
- Prepare materials for the Global Weather Reporters Activity (Day 4).
- Print copies of the Weather Wonders Quiz (one per student for Day 5).
Step 1
Day 1: What's the Weather Like Here?
30 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Begin with the Daily Weather Watch Warm-Up.
- Ask students what they already know about weather.
### Introduction to Weather Elements (10 minutes)
- Use the Weather Whiz Kids! Slide Deck (Slides 1-3) to introduce air temperature, wind direction, and precipitation.
- Discuss how we measure each.
### Local Weather Observation (10 minutes)
- As a class, observe and record today's weather for your local area on the 'Daily Weather Log'. Focus on temperature, wind (direction and strength), and precipitation.
- Introduce symbols for each type of weather.
### Cool-Down (5 minutes)
- Conclude with the Weather Wrap-Up Cool-Down.
- Ask students to share one new thing they learned about weather elements.
Step 2
Day 2: Our Local Weather Story
30 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Use the Daily Weather Watch Warm-Up.
- Review yesterday's local weather observations.
### Deeper Dive into Local Weather (10 minutes)
- Use the Weather Whiz Kids! Slide Deck (Slides 4-6) to revisit temperature, wind, and precipitation in more detail, relating it to their local environment.
- Discuss how these elements change throughout the day.
### Individual Weather Observation (10 minutes)
- Distribute the Weather Observation Worksheet.
- Have students record the current local weather, encouraging detailed observations.
### Cool-Down (5 minutes)
- Conclude with the Weather Wrap-Up Cool-Down.
- Students share one observation from their worksheet.
Step 3
Day 3: Exploring Weather Elsewhere
30 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Use the Daily Weather Watch Warm-Up.
- Review the Weather Observation Worksheet from yesterday.
### Introduction to Different Locations (10 minutes)
- Use the Weather Whiz Kids! Slide Deck (Slides 7-9) to introduce the concept of weather in different locations at the same time.
- Show a world map and pick 2-3 contrasting locations (e.g., desert, snowy region, tropical area).
### Comparing Weather Data (10 minutes)
- As a class, research (or use provided data) the current temperature, wind, and precipitation for the chosen locations.
- Record this information on the 'Daily Weather Log' alongside your local weather.
- Discuss similarities and differences.
### Cool-Down (5 minutes)
- Conclude with the Weather Wrap-Up Cool-Down.
- Ask students to name one weather difference they noticed between locations.
Step 4
Day 4: Global Weather Reporters
30 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Use the Daily Weather Watch Warm-Up.
- Review the comparison of local and distant weather from Day 3.
### Group Activity Introduction (10 minutes)
- Use the Weather Whiz Kids! Slide Deck (Slides 10-11) to introduce the Global Weather Reporters Activity.
- Explain that students will work in small groups to become 'weather reporters' for a chosen city around the world.
### Global Weather Reporters Activity (10 minutes)
- Divide students into small groups.
- Provide each group with a designated city (or let them choose from a pre-approved list).
- Students use provided weather data (or research if resources allow) to describe the temperature, wind, and precipitation in their assigned city.
### Cool-Down (5 minutes)
- Conclude with the Weather Wrap-Up Cool-Down.
- Each group shares one interesting weather fact about their chosen city.
Step 5
Day 5: Weather Wonders & Review
30 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Use the Daily Weather Watch Warm-Up.
- Briefly review key weather terms and concepts from the week.
### Discussion and Q&A (10 minutes)
- Use the Weather Whiz Kids! Slide Deck (Slide 12) to facilitate a class discussion. What are the big takeaways? Why is it important to know weather in different places?
- Address any lingering questions.
### Assessment: Weather Wonders Quiz (10 minutes)
- Distribute the Weather Wonders Quiz.
- Students complete the quiz independently to assess their understanding of comparing and describing weather elements.
### Cool-Down (5 minutes)
- Conclude with the Weather Wrap-Up Cool-Down.
- Students reflect on their favorite part of the weather unit.
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Slide Deck
Weather Whiz Kids! Let's Explore!
What is Weather?
- The condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time.
- It changes all the time!
Welcome students and introduce the exciting journey into understanding weather! Start by asking what they think 'weather' means. Explain the lesson's goal: to become weather experts!
Air Temperature: Hot or Cold?
Air Temperature
- How hot or cold the air is.
- Measured with a thermometer.
- Helps us decide what to wear!
Introduce the first key element: air temperature. Ask students how they know if it's hot or cold. Explain how we measure it and its importance.
Wind Direction: Which Way Is It Blowing?
Wind Direction
- The direction from which the wind is blowing.
- Can be strong or gentle.
- We can use a wind vane or observe flags and trees.
Move on to wind direction. Ask students if they've ever felt the wind and what it feels like. Explain how wind moves and how we can tell its direction.
Precipitation: Water from the Sky!
Precipitation
- Water that falls from clouds to the Earth.
- Can be rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
- Measured with a rain gauge.
Introduce precipitation. Ask students about different types of precipitation they've seen. Explain that it's water falling from the sky.
Our Local Weather Story
Revisiting Our Local Weather
- How did our local temperature, wind, and precipitation change yesterday?
- What makes weather change during the day?
Day 2: Review local weather elements. Ask students to recall what they observed yesterday and how these elements might change throughout a single day.
Weather Around the World!
Is Weather the Same Everywhere?
- No! Different places have different weather.
- Think about a desert versus a polar region.
Transition to the idea of weather in different places. Use the world map to point out diverse locations. Ask students if they think the weather is the same everywhere.
Exploring Weather Elsewhere
Let's Compare!
- We will look at weather in different cities.
- How is the temperature, wind, and precipitation different from ours?
- Example: New York City vs. Sahara Desert.
Day 3: Introduce specific locations for comparison. Engage students by asking them to predict the weather in these new places.
Comparing Weather Data
How Do We Compare?
- We look at temperature, wind direction, and precipitation for each place.
- What similarities and differences do we see?
Explain how scientists (meteorologists) gather weather data from around the world and how we can compare it using the elements they've learned.
Global Weather Reporters!
Your Mission: Weather Reporter!
- Work in groups to report on the weather in a specific global city.
- Describe its temperature, wind, and precipitation.
- Be creative and clear!
Day 4: Introduce the 'Global Weather Reporters' activity. Explain their role as reporters and the task of describing weather for a specific city.
Weather Wonders: Week in Review
What Have We Learned?
- Key weather elements: temperature, wind, precipitation.
- Weather changes locally and globally.
- We can observe and compare weather data.
Day 5: Review the week's learning. Ask open-ended questions to encourage reflection and synthesize their knowledge.
Time for the Weather Wonders Quiz!
Show What You Know!
- Independent work.
- Read questions carefully.
- Good luck, Weather Whiz Kids!
Prepare students for the quiz. Reassure them and remind them to do their best.
Warm Up
Daily Weather Watch
Date: ______________
Instructions: Look outside or recall the weather from your way to school today. Answer the questions below.
- What is the temperature like today? (Circle one)
- Very Cold
- Cold
- Cool
- Mild
- Warm
- Hot
- Very Hot
- Is there any wind? If so, which direction does it feel like it's coming from? (e.g., North, South, East, West, or just a little breeze)
- Is there any precipitation today? (e.g., rain, snow, sleet, hail, or nothing at all)
- Draw a picture of today's weather in the box below!
Cool Down
Weather Wrap-Up
Instructions: Take a moment to reflect on today's weather lesson. Answer the following questions.
- One new thing I learned about weather today is...
- One question I still have about weather is...
- On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do you feel like a weather expert today? (Circle one)
1 (Not at all) 2 (A little) 3 (Pretty good) 4 (Good) 5 (Totally!)
Worksheet
My Daily Weather Observation
Name: ____________________ Date: ______________
Instructions: Be a weather scientist! Go outside or look out a window and observe today's local weather. Record your findings below.
1. Air Temperature
- What is the temperature like right now? (e.g., warm, cool, cold, hot)
- If you have a thermometer, what does it say? (Don't worry if you don't have one!)
2. Wind Direction
- Is it windy? How strong is the wind (gentle breeze, strong gusts)?
- Which direction does the wind seem to be coming from? (Hint: Look at flags, trees, or how your hair blows!)
3. Precipitation
- Is it raining, snowing, or any other type of precipitation right now?
- If yes, what kind? If no, is the sky clear or cloudy?
4. Draw Today's Weather!
Draw a detailed picture of what the weather looks like outside right now, including elements like the sun, clouds, wind, and any precipitation.
Activity
Global Weather Reporters: Your City Report!
Team Name: ____________________
Assigned City: ____________________
Instructions: Imagine you are a team of weather reporters reporting live from your assigned city! Use the provided weather data (or research with your teacher's help) to describe the weather for your city today. Be ready to share your report with the class!
1. City Spotlight: What is your assigned city famous for?
(e.g., famous landmarks, what continent it's on)
2. Temperature Report:
- What is the current air temperature in your city?
- How does this temperature compare to our local weather today? (Is it hotter, colder, or about the same?)
3. Wind Watch:
- Is there any wind in your city today? If so, what direction is it coming from, and how strong is it?
- How does the wind in your city compare to our local wind?
4. Precipitation Patrol:
- Is there any rain, snow, or other precipitation happening in your city today?
- How does the precipitation in your city compare to our local precipitation?
5. Draw Your City's Weather!
Draw a picture of what the weather looks like in your assigned city today.
Quiz
Weather Wonders Quiz
Answer Key
Weather Wonders Quiz Answer Key
1. What tool do we use to measure air temperature?
- Correct Answer: Thermometer
- Reasoning: Thermometers are specifically designed to measure how hot or cold the air is.
2. Which of these is a type of precipitation?
- Correct Answer: Snow
- Reasoning: Precipitation is any form of water that falls from the sky, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
3. Name two different weather elements we studied this week.
- Correct Answer: Air temperature, wind direction, precipitation (any two of these)
- Reasoning: The lesson focused on these three key elements to describe day-to-day weather.
4. Imagine it's sunny and warm where you are. Describe what the weather might be like in a snowy mountain region at the same time, considering temperature and precipitation.
- Correct Answer: It would be cold and likely snowing or have snow on the ground. (Answers may vary but should include cold temperature and some form of frozen precipitation).
- Reasoning: This question assesses the understanding that weather varies significantly by location, especially in contrasting environments like a warm, sunny area and a snowy mountain.
5. If the wind vane points East, where is the wind coming from?
- Correct Answer: East
- Reasoning: A wind vane indicates the direction from which the wind is blowing. If it points East, the wind is coming from the East.