Objective:

Students will observe and describe weather patterns by exploring the natural environment. Through outdoor observations and classroom discussions, students will recognize changes in weather and develop an understanding of how weather patterns affect living things.

Materials Needed:

• Chart paper or whiteboard for recording observations

• Markers for writing and drawing

• Outdoor space for weather observations

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Ask students, "How do we know what the weather is like outside?" 

  • Discuss different types of weather (sunny, rainy, windy, snowy) and how we observe these conditions. 

  • Explain that students will go outside to observe the weather and describe how it affects plants, animals, and people.

• Group Activity (Outdoor Observation):

  • Take the class outside to observe the current weather. 

  • Ask students to use their senses to describe what they see, hear, and feel. 

  • For example, they might notice that the wind is blowing, or the sun is shining brightly. 

  • After observing, have students discuss how the weather might affect the trees, animals, and people outside.

• Drawing and Recording Observations:

  • Back in the classroom, students will draw pictures of the weather they observed and describe its effects. 

  • For example, they might draw a sunny day with plants growing or a rainy day with puddles forming. 

  • Record their descriptions on chart paper, helping them use words like "windy," "rainy," and "cloudy" to describe the patterns.

• Testing and Refining:

  • Once students have completed their drawings and descriptions, ask them to compare their observations with past weather patterns. 

  • Are there any similarities to the weather they saw last week? 

  • Encourage them to revise their descriptions based on new insights.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Each group will present their weather observations to the class, sharing how the weather affected the environment. 

  • Lead a discussion on how weather patterns change over time, asking students to reflect on how different weather conditions affect plants, animals, and people.

Equity and Access:

Ensure all students can participate in the outdoor observation by providing additional materials, such as weather charts or pictures, for students who may have limited mobility or other needs. Encourage peer support for students who need help describing or drawing their observations.

Real-World Application:

Connect the lesson to daily life by discussing how we prepare for different weather conditions (e.g., wearing a hat in the sun, using an umbrella in the rain) and how understanding weather patterns helps us make decisions about our activities.

CS Practice(s):

Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students identify how different types of weather affect the environment and living things.

Standards:

• CA NGSS K-ESS2-1

• CA CS K-2.DA.8

• CA CS K-2.DA.9

Objective:

Students will observe and describe weather patterns using Seesaw or another multimedia design app to model different weather conditions (e.g., sunny, rainy, snowy). By exploring how weather changes over time and the impact it has on our environment, students will develop observational and computational skills through digital tools.

Materials Needed:

• Tablets or computers with Seesaw or another drawing/multimedia creation app installed

• Digital weather icons (e.g., sun, clouds, rain, snow) 

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by asking, "What kinds of weather do we see during the year?" Discuss weather patterns such as sunny, rainy, snowy, and windy days. 

  • Explain that students will use Seesaw to create digital scenes showing different types of weather and how they affect the environment (e.g., plants growing in the sun or puddles forming after rain).

• Group Activity:

  • In pairs, students will use Seesaw to drag and drop digital icons (sun, clouds, rain, snow) to create scenes showing different weather conditions. 

  • Encourage students to think about what they might see during each type of weather. 

  • For example, they can add puddles in a rainy scene or snow-covered ground during a snowy day.

• Creating and Coding:

  • Guide students in using digital drawing tools to animate simple weather patterns. 

  • They might make rain fall from the clouds or animate the sun shining on a field. 

  • This helps students practice computational thinking by sequencing the weather changes and observing their impact.

• Testing and Refining:

  • Once students have completed their digital weather scenes, have them test their animations, making sure the weather patterns look accurate and follow a logical sequence. Allow time for revisions as needed.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Each group will present their Seesaw project, describing the weather patterns they modeled and explaining how different weather affects plants, animals, and humans. 

  • Lead a class discussion on how weather patterns repeat and change over time, and how digital tools helped visualize these changes.

Equity and Access:

Provide pre-made weather templates for students who need additional support. Encourage students to work together, offering peer assistance for those less comfortable with digital tools.

Real-World Application:

Relate the lesson to real-life weather observations, such as preparing for different weather conditions by wearing a coat on a cold day or using an umbrella when it rains. Emphasize the importance of understanding weather patterns to make decisions about our daily activities.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students create digital representations of weather patterns and their effects on the environment.

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students identify how weather patterns change and sequence these changes in a digital format.

Standards:

• CA NGSS K-ESS2-1 

• CA CS K-2.DA.8

• CA CS K-2.DA.9