Objective: 

Students will collect, organize, and represent weather data from a particular season using bar graphs. They will analyze the data to identify typical weather conditions and make predictions about future weather patterns. 

This lesson incorporates computational thinking by teaching students to organize and visually present data to highlight relationships and support claims.

Materials Needed: 

• Weather data for a specific season (e.g., average temperature, precipitation)

• graph paper

• markers.

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by discussing how weather varies by season and ask, "What kind of weather do we expect in winter or summer?" 

  • Introduce the idea of using data to describe these typical conditions. 

  • Explain that today, students will organize weather data and display it in a bar graph.

• Group Activity: 

  • Collecting and Organizing Data: In pairs, students will receive data sets that include average temperatures and precipitation for a specific season. 

  • They will sort the data to see patterns, clustering it by common attributes such as temperature range or rainfall.

• Creating Bar Graphs: 

  • Students will use graph paper to create bar graphs that display their weather data, using different bars to represent variables like temperature and rainfall over time. 

  • They will use the graph to visually organize the data, highlighting key relationships between variables.

• Reflection and Discussion: 

  • Students will analyze their graphs and present their findings to the class, explaining what typical weather conditions they identified and what predictions they might make for future weather based on the patterns they observed.

Equity and Access: 

Provide graph templates for students needing extra assistance with organizing data. Pair students in mixed-ability groups to encourage peer learning.

Real-World Application: 

Discuss how weather scientists use data to track seasonal patterns and make predictions, and how data visualization helps people understand complex information.

CS Practice(s):

• Communicating About Computing: Students explain their graphical displays, discussing the weather patterns they discovered and supporting their claims with data.

Standard(s): 

• CA NGSS 3-ESS2-1

• CA CS 3-5.DA.8

Objective: 

Students will use Google Sheets or another spreadsheet platform to create bar graphs and pictographs that represent seasonal weather data, such as temperature and precipitation. They will analyze their graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions and make predictions. 

This lesson integrates computational thinking by teaching students to organize and visually present data using digital tools, while fostering collaboration and communication about their findings.

Materials Needed: 

• Computers or tablets

• weather data for a particular season (e.g., average temperatures, precipitation).

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Begin by discussing how weather data helps us understand seasonal patterns. 

  • Ask, "How do scientists represent weather data to help predict future weather?" 

  • Explain that students will use Google Sheets to create graphs that visually display weather conditions.

• Group Activity:

  • Entering and Organizing Data: In pairs, students will input weather data (e.g., daily or weekly temperatures and precipitation) for a specific season into spreadsheets. 

  • They will organize the data into categories, such as high/low temperatures or total precipitation for the season.

• Creating Graphs: 

  • Students will use spreadsheets to create bar graphs or pictographs representing their data. 

  • They will choose the most appropriate graph type for their data, visually organizing the information to highlight key relationships and patterns. 

  • For example, students might create a bar graph showing temperature changes over the weeks of a season.

• Testing and Refining Graphs: 

  • After creating their graphs, students will review their work to ensure that it clearly represents the data. 

  • They will refine their graphical displays as needed to improve readability and accuracy, then add labels and titles to communicate their findings clearly.

• Presentation and Discussion: 

  • Students will present their digital graphs to the class, explaining the weather patterns they observed and making predictions based on the data. 

  • Lead a discussion on how data organization and visualization help support claims and make information easier to understand.

Equity and Access: 

Provide pre-made spreadsheet templates for students who need additional guidance. Pair students with varying levels of experience in digital tools to encourage collaboration and peer support.

Real-World Application: 

• Connect the lesson to how meteorologists and scientists use digital tools to represent and analyze weather data, helping inform the public about seasonal weather patterns.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students use spreadsheets to create digital graphical representations of weather data, enhancing their ability to analyze and share their findings.

• Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts: Students review and refine their graphs to ensure they accurately represent the data and communicate the information effectively.

Standard(s): 

• CA NGSS 3-ESS2-1

• CA CS 3-5.DA.8