In this lesson, students will learn different words to describe weather, see these words in context, and use them to describe the current weather.
Students will experience the weather outside with their senses, create a chart of weather words, watch videos about the different types of weather, and identify clues that show what kind of weather is happening.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The interactive lesson is ideal for emerging readers who can read along with the read-aloud function.
The videos include the option for descriptive video, which is a useful tool for students with visual impairments.
The lesson plan includes strategies to teach English language learners and kinesthetic learners.
Additional Prerequisites
Students and teachers will need an account on the PBS website to access the interactive lesson.
Some students may need to review the five senses before starting this lesson.
Differentiation
Extend this to writing by giving the students the sentence stem, "My favorite weather is..." and have students refer to the chart of weather words to finish the sentence.
During reading periods, students can read books about the weather and continue to look for clues that show what kind of weather is occurring.
In groups of older students, teachers can lead a discussion about more extreme weather events and their relation to climate change.
Scientist Notes
This resource is from the CLEAN collection. “The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness.”
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS2: Earth's Systems
K-ESS2-1 Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
K-ESS3-2 Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.
PS3: Energy
K-PS3-1 Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Language (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.
Reading: Informational Text (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4 Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.3 Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a topic or issue.
