ESS.2.1.4
Obtain, evaluate and communicate information to recognize the tools scientists use for observing, recording, and predicting weather changes from day to day and during the season.
Embedded Files
District Recommended Resources for 2nd Grade Science
Science Phenomena Resources
Next Generation Science Standards YouTube Channel
Step 1: Lesson Standards & Learning Goals
The weather standards should be taught in the following order: ESS.2.1.1, ESS.2.1.4, ESS.2.1.3, and ESS.2.1.2
This standard focuses on the weather tools used to collect data and predict weather changes. Teachers should introduce the concept of weather (condition of the atmosphere) and the weather conditions (temperature, wind direction, wind speed, precipitation) that are listed in ESS.2.1.2.
(Data collection should happen throughout the school year, so that students can observe patterns. Temperature, rainfall, etc. data can be collected/recorded daily.)
Dimension 1:
Science and Engineering Practice: Obtain, Evaluate and Communicate Information: Students will read grade-appropriate texts and/or use media to obtain information about tools that scientists use to observe, record, and predict weather changes (NSTA SEP Matrix).
Dimension 2:
Crosscutting Concepts: Patterns
Dimension 3:
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
ESS2.D Weather is the combination of sunlight, wind, snow or rain, and temperature in a particular region at a particular time. People measure these conditions to describe and record the weather and to notice patterns over time (A Framework for K-12 Science Education).
Sample Essential Questions
Sample Essential Questions
How do scientists use different tools to observe, record, and predict weather changes from day to day and throughout the seasons?
Why is it important to understand weather patterns and predict how the weather will change?
How does the weather change with the seasons, and what tools can we use to track these changes?
How do scientists use tools to observe and measure changes in the weather?
What tool do scientists use to measure temperature? (thermometer)
What tool do scientists use to measure wind speed? (anemometer)
What tool do scientists use to measure wind directions? (wind vane)
What tool do scientists use to measure rainfall? (rain gauge)
What other kinds of tools do scientists use to make their forecasts? (computers, satellite data, weather balloons, etc.)
How do the instruments work? How do you read the instruments?
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
anemometer
patterns
rain gauge
satellite
seasons
thermometer
weather
wind vane
Students will be able to...
Students will be able to...
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information- Students will read grade-appropriate texts and/or use media to obtain information about tools that scientists use to observe, record, and predict weather changes.
Students will know...
Students will know...
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at any given time.
Scientists who study the weather are called meteorologists.
Scientists use different weather tools to observe, record, and predict weather changes from day to day and during the seasons:
Thermometer to collect data about temperature
Rain gauge to collect data about rainfall
Anemometer to collect data about wind speed
Wind vane to collect data about wind direction
Computers and satellites for detailed weather forecasts
Step 2: Assessment
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessments
Writing Prompts
Weather Scientist
Imagine you are a weather scientist for a day! Your job is to use special tools to help you understand and predict the weather. Write about three tools that scientists use to observe, record, and predict the weather. Write a short paragraph about each tool and draw pictures to show how they help us understand and predict the weather.
My Weather Forecast
Pretend you are a weather reporter on TV! Use the weather tools we learned about (like the thermometer, wind vane, and rain gauge) to describe today’s weather in a short paragraph. What do you think tomorrow’s weather will be like? Why?
A Week with My Favorite Weather Tool
Imagine you get to use a weather tool at school for a week. Which one would you choose: a thermometer, anemometer, or rain gauge? Write a short paragraph about how you would use it to collect data and what kind of weather pattern you might discover during the week.
Seasons and Weather Patterns
Think about the four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Write a short paragraph about which season is your favorite and describe what the weather is usually like (temperature, winds, types of participation). What weather tools would you use to observe and record the weather in that season?
Mini Projects and Investigation
Give One, Get One with Bar Chart
Have students respond to one of the writing prompts and then share with a partner about what they wrote. Have students record on a sticky note any vocabulary terms or weather tools their partner wrote about - using one sticky note for each term or tool. Make a bar chart on the whiteboard using the sticky notes and have students analyze the chart for trends. Which tools/terms were used the most? Which tools/terms were used the least? Was there a pattern that could be observed?
Weather Tool Show and Tell (Group Activity)
Divide students into small groups. Assign each group one weather tool. Each group will:
Create a poster or a mini-presentation about their assigned tool. Use digital and multimedia tools to present as an option.
Include a drawing or model of the tool.
Write a few sentences explaining what the tool measures and why it is important for predicting the weather.
Have each group present their poster or model to the class. Encourage them to explain their tool’s purpose and how it helps scientists observe and predict weather. If students have brought in any real tools or models, let them demonstrate how the tool works.
Makey Makey Early Warning System:
https://www.instructables.com/Makey-Makey-Early-Warning-System-for-High-Wind/
Use Makeys to create and Early Warning System. This will help students makeconnections to weather tools. Students will have to apply different types of weather tools to creation using the EDP process.
(EDP Template to come)
Culminating Activity
Create a unit long weather journal to include writing prompts, weather vocabulary, observations, and predictions. You will use Book Creator to collect your information. Using this information, you will take on the role of a meteorologist and create a 30 second to 1 minute weather report.
*Your DTLS contact person will be available to assist with Book Creator and recording the weather reports.
Step 3: Lesson Instructions
Possible Activating Strategies
Possible Activating Strategies
Graphic Organizer
Weather Prediction Game:
Activity: Play a quick game where students guess what the weather will be like tomorrow based on today's conditions. Have them explain why they think their prediction is correct.
Purpose: Engages students in thinking about weather patterns and introduces the concept of weather prediction.
Image by pngtree.com
Weather Tools Graphic Organizer
Have students pause and summarize about each weather tool as they read or watch a video. They should share with a partner after completing each tool section to make sure they recorded accurate information and see if their partner had different ideas.
Video Clip
Weather 101 for kids - video of a real meteorologist explaining how weather is predicted and shared using a greenscreen
Additional Literacy Connections
epic!
Readworks.org
YouTube
Weather School 4 Kids:
EBSCO (access through NCEdCloud)
Measuring the Weather (eBook)
Read Alouds
Rabe, T. (2004). Oh say can you say what’s the weather today? All about weather.
Gibbons, G. (1993). Weather forecasting.
Dean. J. (2013). Freddy the frogcaster.
DeWitt, L. (2015). What will the weather be?
Teacher Resources
Teacher Resources
Science A to Z (paid subscription)
Weather 101 for kids - video of a real meteorologist explaining how weather is predicted and shared using a greenscreen
National Forecast Charts (today’s, tomorrow’s, & a 3rd day)
https://www.weather.gov/ - Just For Kids
https://www.weather.gov/rah/ (Wilson, NC)
Weather Wiz Kids (for information)
Diffit - Weather Tools (free log in)
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