Weather & Climate
Mystery Science Units: Wild Weather / Circle of Seasons / Sunny Skies
ReadyGen / Literacy Connections
Unit 1 A Bed for the Winter (K-ESS2-1: Weather Patterns)
Unit 2 Four Seasons Make a Year (K-ESS2-1: Weather Patterns)
Unit 3 Come on, Rain! The Snowy Day What Will the Weather Be?
Weather Words and What they Mean Sleuth Read-Aloud:
“Our Snowy Discovery” (K-ESS3-2: Forecasting Severe Weather)
Unit 5 Jack’s Garden (K-PS3-2: Shade Structure Design)
Mystery Science Kindergarten Student Notebook
Nonfiction Science Literacy Resources
Graphic Organizers / Thinking Maps
Multilingual Learner Language Expectations
K-ESS2-1: Weather Patterns
Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
Clarification & Boundary Statements
Clarification Statement: Examples of qualitative observations could include descriptions of the weather (such as sunny, cloudy, rainy, and warm); examples of quantitative observations could include numbers of sunny, windy, and rainy days in a month. Examples of patterns could include that it is usually cooler in the morning than in the afternoon and the number of sunny days versus cloudy days in different months.
Boundary Statement: Assessment of quantitative observations limited to whole numbers and relative measures such as warmer/cooler.
K-ESS3-2: Forecasting Severe Weather
Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather. (Cause and Effect)
Clarification & Boundary Statements
Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on local forms of severe weather.
Boundary Statement: none
K-PS3-1: Sunlight Warms the Earth
Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface. (Cause and Effect)
Clarification & Boundary Statements
Clarification Statement: Examples of Earth’s surface could include sand, soil, rocks, and water.
Boundary Statement: Assessment of temperature is limited to relative measures such as warmer/cooler.
K-PS3-2: Shade Structure Design
Use tools and materials provided to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of
Clarification & Boundary Statements
Clarification Statement: Examples of structures could include umbrellas, canopies, and tents that minimize the warming effect of the sun.
Boundary Statement: none
Mystery Science Units
What is an Anchoring Phenomenon?
Mystery Science Kindergarten Student Notebook
Wild Weather - In this unit, students explore storms and severe weather! They obtain information from weather forecasts to prepare for storms and stay safe. They also practice describing the various characteristics of weather (wind, clouds, temperature, and precipitation) in order to make their own predictions about storms.
Circle of Seasons - In this unit, students gather evidence in order to identify daily and seasonal weather patterns. They use those patterns to explain mysteries like why you might lose your jacket during the day or why birds lay their eggs at certain times of the year.
Sunny Skies - In this unit, students make observations to explore how sunlight warms the Earth's surface. The Sun's energy heats up the pavement, keeps us warm, and can even melt marshmallows. Using what they learn, students think about ways that shade and structures can reduce the warming effect of the Sun.
Anchor Phenomenon
Weather & Climate Anchor
Students explore storms and severe weather! They obtain information from weather forecasts to prepare for storms and stay safe. They also practice describing the various characteristics of weather (wind, clouds, temperature, and precipitation) in order to make their own predictions about storms.
Wild Weather - Mystery Science Lesson / Connections to Anchor Phenomenon
Severe Weather & Preparation / How can you get ready for a big storm?
Wind & Storms / Have you ever watched a storm?
Weather Conditions / How many different kinds of weather are there?
Circle of Seasons - Mystery Science Lesson / Connections to Anchor Phenomenon
Local Weather & Daily Patterns / How do you know what to wear for the weather?
Seasonal Patterns / What will the weather be like on your birthday?
Animals Changing Their Environment / Why do birds lay eggs in the spring?
Sunny Skies - Mystery Science Lesson / Connections to Anchor Phenomenon
Sunlight, Heat & Earth’s Surface / How could you walk barefoot across hot pavement without burning your feet?
Sunlight, Warming & Engineering / How could you warm up a frozen playground?
Sunlight & Warmth / Why does it get cold in winter?
Using ChatGPT to find local Colorado Phenomena
Use the following prompt, adjust accordingly. "I am an elementary school science teacher looking for a local Colorado phenomena to address NGSS standard (enter standard you are looking for... example 1-ESS1-2)"
CDE: Grade Level Expectations
Prepared Graduates:
10. Students can use the full range of science and engineering practices to make sense of natural phenomena and solve problems that require understanding how and why Earth is constantly changing.
11. Students can use the full range of science and engineering practices to make sense of natural phenomena and solve problems that require understanding how human activities and the Earth’s surface processes interact.
Grade Level Expectation:
1. Patterns are observed when measuring the local weather, including how humans and other organisms impact their environment.
2. Plants and animals meet their needs in their habitats and impact one another; people can prepare for severe weather.
Hands On, Minds On Connections
The Importance of creating Active Learners
Mystery Packs:
You should have received your Mystery Pack at the start of the school year. This includes all you should need to pair your science instruction with your literacy resources. If you have not received your Mystery Pack or need additional supplies please contact contact Michael O'Toole at otoole_michael@svvsd.org
Additional Hands on Options: Science to Go
Weather & Sky - Enhancement Kit for Kinder Mystery Science Wild Weather & Circle of Seasons Unit. Students will learn about weather and explore the sky with twelve hands-on activities. They will learn what weather is and build a vocabulary of words and symbols. Students will observe and measure four main weather factors: temperature, wind, clouds and precipitation and find out how weather affects everyday life. They will record their data on a weather calendar and keep sun and moon journals.
Nearpod Lessons / Activities / Videos
Environmental Education Connections
STEM Connections
Virtual Field Trips - National Parks, Space, Famous Landmarks, Museums, Zoos, Aquariums, Historical Sites, Theme Parks & Stadiums
Teacher Notes / Assessments / Career Connections
Using A.I. to find local Colorado Phenomena
Use the following prompt, adjust accordingly. "I am an elementary school science teacher looking for a local Colorado phenomena to address NGSS standard (enter standard you are looking for... example 1-ESS1-2)"
Science Database
Offers elementary students a safe place to find answers to their questions, practice research skills, and explore a broad range of subjects like animals, science and more, all in one place. Gale in Context: Elementary
3 Dimensional Science Assessments
This spreadsheet is a collection of existing assessments from across the country designed to support implementation of NGSS and similar state standards. The openly available tasks represent a wide range of task types and purposes. Some of these assessments are similar to what your students will experience on their 5th grade CMAS Exam. It is a good idea to introduce these types of assessments to students at all grade levels to better prepare them for success demonstrating their science knowledge. Combined 3D Task Inventory
Career Connections
Connecting what students are learning to careers not only deepens their engagement in school but also helps them make more informed choices about their future. Browse the following related career profiles to discover what scientists really do on the job and what it takes to prepare for these careers. For additional profiles visit your Year at a Glance Page. Gale in Context: Scientist and Inventor Biographies
Thinking Map Connections
To help students Think Like a Scientists, they need to know how to question and gather evidence in order to refine and revise what they know and understand. The information below provides suggestions for connecting Thinking Maps to our science concepts. The thinking maps listed are general connections and should not be seen as the only maps that could be used. To better understand how to use Thinking Maps in Science, reference pages 188 to 196 in your Thinking Maps Teacher Guide. Each Thinking Map listed below includes the page number where it can be found in your Thinking Maps Teacher Guide
Patterns
Critical Questions: Is there a pattern? What caused the pattern? What predictions can I make? How does this pattern compare to others?
Possible Thinking Maps:
Flow or Bridge Maps for analyzing patterns (Page 54)
Tree Map for classifying (Page 42)
Bridge Map for relationships (Page 66)
Multi-flow Map for causes of patterns and making predictions (Page 60)
Double Bubble Map for comparing / contrasting patterns (Page 36)
Cause and Effect
Critical Questions: What evidence is there for this cause and effect relationship? What are other possible causes? How is this relationship similar to others? How does changing one event affect the results?
Possible Thinking Maps:
Multi-flow Map for cause and effect (Page 60)
Partial Multi-flow Map (Page 60)
Circle Map for Brainstorming (Page 24)
Double Bubble Map for cause and effect (Page 36)
