Weather Lesson for Elementary
Lesson Plan
1 hourGradesK, 1, 2Earth and Space Sciences
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Written by Krista Nido
About this lesson
This lesson introduces the concept of weather to students.
Inquire: Students generate ideas in response to the question "What is weather?" and watch a read aloud video of the book Fabienne’s Wild Weather Adventure.
Investigate: Students learn the definition of weather and start an individual weather journal to track the weather each day.
Inspire: Students design their own weather wheel and make a prediction of the Earth’s climate 30 years from now by drawing a timeline.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson creates a collaborative learning environment for students as they are introduced to weather and its importance.
- This lesson features sensory learning as students use their five senses to make observations about the weather.
- For kinesthetic connections, teachers can pair types of weather with hand motions or body movements. Each time specific weather is mentioned, students can use these weather gestures.
- Prior to going outside together, teachers can model or demonstrate what observation looks like. For example, noticing wind movement in trees, feeling the temperature on their skin, etc.
- This lesson provides an introduction to the relationship between climate and weather.
- Teachers can build a daily “Meteorologist Moment” into morning circle or as part of a classroom routine. Using a calendar and a rotating “meteorologist for a day,” students observe and record the weather at the same time each day. Teachers can use this routine to introduce or establish scientific observation skills and early data collection.
- For a connection to science, students can discuss patterns they notice over time, compare current weather observations with data from the same time in years past, or make simple predictions based on collected data.
- For a connection to math, students can create pictograms or bar graphs showing types of weather over a week or month, and compare which weather type occurred the most or least often.
- For connections to social studies, teachers can show a map of another region or country. Students can compare their local weather to another region or country and discuss how the weather affects how people dress, travel, or work.
- For art connections, students can explore how artists use warm colors for hot weather and cool colors for cold or rainy scenes. Teachers can show photos of various art and students can create their own by exploring warm and cool colors.
- Students can keep a class weather journal for a season or a month.
Prerequisites
- Teachers can place a thermometer in an easily accessible outside location (e.g., near the recess area) and check the temperature daily.
- Teachers should print the weather journal and weather wheel ahead of time.
- For larger classes, teachers should print out extra copies of high-interest weather cards to display around the classroom.
Differentiation
- Students think-pair-share during the read aloud and make predictions or answer questions.
- Teachers can pause the read aloud before the text is read for students to make observations and predictions about the story.
- Groups of students with mixed abilities can collaborate on their weather wheel and their future climate prediction.
- Possible Extension: Work with the school administration to find a way for students to share a daily weather report with the school (e.g., live morning assembly, email blast, TV announcement, etc.).
- Students can draw illustrated weather symbols or create textured weather scenes using different materials; for example, cotton for clouds, tissue paper for rain, foil for lightening etc.
- Depending on writing levels, students can write a daily weather sentence using weather words and descriptive language.
- Students can practice language and presentation skills by giving a daily weather report.
- Students can draw a weather self-portrait, drawing themselves dressed for different types of weather. This can reinforce how the weather influences our daily choices.
- Students can create “wind art” by dropping diluted paint on paper and using straws to blow paint across the page.
From the scientist review
Observing the weather to track changes is an important activity. This lesson allows students to understand the local weather and observe the patterns and their impact on their daily activities and the environment. All materials are suitable techniques for qualitative weather forecasting. On that account, this lesson has passed our scientific credibility process and is recommended for teaching.
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About the teacher writer
Krista Nido
K-2 Teacher
I am a licensed professional teacher with 6 years of experience. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and also hold a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Higher Education. I have extensive international experience teaching students from Thailand, the Philippines, Korea, Costa Rica, and the USA. I have taught students of a wide range of ages and skills ranging from pre-school to University level. Throughout my experience, I have designed various instructional materials and assessment tools.
