Weather Wonders: Rain or Shine!

Lisa Mihnos

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Weather Wonders Lesson Plan

Introduce Pre-K students to different weather conditions, helping them recognize and talk about sunny, rainy, cloudy, and snowy days.

Understanding weather enhances observational skills and connects children with their environment, fostering curiosity about nature.

Audience

Pre-K

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Engage through interactive sensory activities.

Materials

Weather Wonders Lesson Plan, and Weather Conditions Sensory Cards

Prep

Preparation

5 minutes

Review the Weather Wonders Lesson Plan for detailed instructions.
Gather visual aids such as weather picture cards and sensory materials (water spray bottle for rainy weather, cotton balls for clouds, etc.).
Prepare a space in the classroom where students can gather for the interactive discussion.

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

10 minutes

Begin with a friendly greeting and ask simple questions about the weather outside.
Introduce the concept of weather using clear images and verbal descriptions.
Show visuals for sunny, rainy, cloudy, and snowy weather while explaining each condition.

Step 2

Hands-on Sensory Activity

10 minutes

Distribute weather sensory cards that match the weather pictures.
Have the children mimic the weather (e.g., a gentle sprinkle for rain, stretching their arms wide for a sunny day).
Encourage them to share their favorite weather condition.

Step 3

Closing and Recap

5 minutes

Recap key weather terms learned during the lesson.
Invite students to share one thing they learned or liked about the lesson.
Provide a simple cheer or song related to weather to finish the session on a positive note.

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Slide Deck

Weather Wonders: Rain or Shine!

Welcome to our fun lesson about weather. Today, we'll explore sunny, rainy, cloudy, and snowy days!

Welcome the students with enthusiasm. Introduce the topic of weather as a fun and interesting part of our day.

What is Weather?

Weather is what happens in the sky outside! It can be sunny, rainy, cloudy, or snowy. Let's discover more!

Explain what weather is in simple terms. Use images if possible.

Different Types of Weather

• Sunny day: Bright and warm
• Rainy day: Wet with water drops
• Cloudy day: Lots of clouds
• Snowy day: Cold and full of snowflakes

Show simple images or drawings for each condition and ask the children to describe them in their own words.

Let's Pretend!

Stretch your arms like the bright sun, sprinkle like raindrops, be soft like clouds, and twirl like snowflakes. What's your favorite?

Discuss and demonstrate the sensory activity. Encourage participation! Remind students to mimic the weather movements.

Recap & Cheer

Today, we learned about sunny, rainy, cloudy, and snowy weather! What was your favorite part? Let's cheer for the weather!

Recap the main points and let students share what they enjoyed. End with a cheerful note.

Activity

Weather Conditions Sensory Cards Activity

In this activity, Pre-K students will use sensory cards to explore and connect with different types of weather. The sensory cards will feature tactile elements (like cotton balls to represent clouds, a spray bottle for rain, etc.) that allow children to feel and safely experiment with the weather conditions discussed in the lesson.

Activity Instructions

Set up the activity:
- Prepare a set of sensory cards that match each weather condition covered in the lesson: sunny, rainy, cloudy, and snowy.
- Arrange the activity area where the children can easily move around and explore each card safely.
- Display a sample card for each weather condition and briefly explain the tactile features (e.g., softness of cotton balls for clouds, the light sprinkle representing rain).
Interactive Exploration:
- Encourage each child to pick a sensory card from the table.
- Ask them to describe what they feel. For example: "Does this feel soft like clouds?" or "Can you feel the sprinkle, just like light rain?"
- Invite the children to mimic the weather – stretch out their arms like the sun, pretend to sprinkle like rain, or twirl gently like snowy flakes.
Group Sharing:
- After working individually, bring the group together for a short discussion.
- Ask each child to show their card and share their favorite weather sensation.
- Encourage them to say a word or two about each sensation (e.g., "The cloud is soft!")
Wrap-up:
- Conclude by revisiting the different weather types and highlighting what each sensory card represents.
- End with a cheerful review or song about weather to solidify learning and keep the session upbeat.

Follow-Up Points

Observation: Ask the children if the sensory feelings match what they see in the pictures from Weather Wonders Slides and the descriptions in the Weather Wonders Lesson Plan.
Discussion: Let the children discuss if they have seen this weather before and what they did on a sunny day or a rainy day. This will build connections between the lesson and their real-life experiences.
Extension Activity: Teachers can invite the kids to draw or paint their favorite weather condition after the sensory card activity, reinforcing the tactile experience with creative expression.

Enjoy the activity and watch the curiosity of your Pre-K students shine as they explore weather in a fun, sensory-rich way!