ESS.K.1.2
Use mathematics and computational thinking to summarize daily weather conditions noting changes that occur from day to day and throughout the year.
Embedded Files
District Recommended Resources for Kindergarten Grade Science
Science Phenomena Resources
Next Generation Science Standards YouTube Channel
Step 1: Lesson Standards & Learning Goals
*As you begin the weather unit, students should have an understanding of what weather is prior to analyzing data,
This standard focuses on summarizing weather data. Students should make observations and record those observations in an organized format. They should be able to use mathematics to recognize how many days were sunny, windy, or rainy, for example. They should also be able to determine there were more sunny days than rainy days, there were more warm days than cold days, etc. and how many more or how many less.
Dimension 1:
Science and Engineering Practice:
Use Mathematics and Computational Thinking:
With guidance and support, use counting and numbers to identify and describe patterns in the natural world. Describe, measure, and/or compare quantitative attributes of different objects and display the data using simple graphs. (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
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
How do our weather patterns change from day to day throughout the year?
How do we use mathematics to summarize daily weather conditions?
How do we use mathematics to note and track changes in the weather that occurs day to day and throughout the year?
Change
Compare
Data
Different
Graph
Month
Observation
Pattern
Predict
Season
Similar/alike
Summarize
Weather
Week
Students will be able to...
Students will be able to...
Summarize - Condensing larger information into a general theme or major point(s)
Use a pictograph to chart the local weather conditions.
Count and record (in a journal or chart) the number of sunny, windy, snowy and rainy days to summarize patterns over a certain amount of time.
Use Mathematics and Computational Thinking- Use counting and numbers to identify and describe patterns in the weather over time. Describe, measure, and/or compare values in weather data, and display the data using simple graphs.
Analyze and Interpret Data- Record information (weather observations). Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in weather and answer scientific questions (e.g., How many sunny days? Which season had cold weather? Which season did it snow? etc.)
Students will know...
Students will know...
Weather changes from day to day.
A weather journal is used to keep track of weather data (conditions).
Data are bits of information about the topic being researched or discussed.
A graph is a way of representing data in an easy to understand format.
Step 2: Assessment
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessments
Writing Prompts
Sentence stems/Questions that utilize academic language:
How does today’s weather compare to yesterday’s weather? (Using the class weather chart/journal, teachers and students should review the weather from the day before and compare it to the current weather. Students may say, “Yesterday it rained all day, but today it is sunny.”)
How does today’s weather compare to the weather from _________? (last week, last month, three months ago, etc. Students’ responses will depend on the data collected, but could include “Last month it was much colder than it is now.” or “In August, it was really hot. It’s not hot today and has not been all month.”)
How many ___________ days have we had this week? (sunny/rainy/windy/cloudy/snowy. Students’ responses will be based on the data collected in the class weather chart/journal.)
How many ___________ days did we have this month? (sunny/rainy/windy/cloudy/snowy. Students' responses will be based on the data collected. Students could organize their data on a pictograph.)
Which month did we have more ________? (rain, sun, snow, etc. Students may say, “We had more sunny days in October.”)
Weather “Write the room”: Put up pictures of different types of weather throughout the classroom with the weather word on it (rain, wind, sun, snow, etc.). Give students a recording sheet with the same pictures on it. They will walk around the room finding and matching the pictures on the walls to their paper. Then they will write the weather word on their recording sheet that matches the picture.
Mini Projects and Investigations
Weather Pattern Bracelets/Necklaces:
Assign different colored beads to weather types. Students add a bead each day to create a bracelet showing weather patterns over time.
Weather Tally Chart:
Create a simple tally chart for different weather conditions. Students add a tally mark each day for the observed weather.
Temperature Color Chart:
Use a simple color-coded chart to represent temperature ranges. Students color in a square each day based on the temperature, creating a visual representation of temperature changes over time.
Day to day weather:
Create a class weather graph (this can be digital or on paper) in the Winter and graph each day's weather through a whole month (keep this graph to compare to weather in the Spring). Do the same thing for a month in the Spring. Have students count how many rainy days, sunny days, cloudy days, cold days etc. there were in the week each week. Then have students look at the weather graph at the end of the month. Ask students: “What do you notice about the weather patterns this month? Were there more sunny days or rainy days?” Repeat these steps throughout the third quarter.
Rain gauge:
Record the rainfall throughout the seasons. Place a rain gauge outside of the classroom window or on the playground. Have students check the rain gauge daily and record their findings on a chart or on their own recording sheet found here: Weekly-Rainfall-Tracker.pdf
Make a rain gauge: Science Sparks: https://www.science-sparks.com/weather-make-a-rain-gauge/
Culminating Activity
Windsock writing craft:
Students can do this multiple ways based on the type of writing you are teaching in your ELA block.
Idea 1:. They can write their opinion about wind (or any other weather type) and after they finish their writing, attach their writing paper to construction paper and roll it into a tube. Attach streamers to make a windsock with their opinion writing.
Idea 2: Students can create an informational weather windsock where they choose a type of weather: rain, snow, wind, stormy, sunny, etc. They will draw and label the type of weather they chose on the whole sheet of paper for the top. Then they will write facts that they learned about that weather type on strips of construction paper. One fact for each strip of construction paper to hang at the bottom. *Note: you can use colored copy paper instead of construction paper.
Idea 3: Students can create a narrative windsock where they choose a type of weather to be such as, “if I were a _______(raindrop, snowflake, the wind, a tornado, etc.) I would________.” Allow students to create their story, and after they finish their writing, attach their writing paper to construction paper and roll it into a tube. Attach streamers to make a windsock with their opinion writing.
Weather Journal with Book Creator
Create a weather journal for vocabulary, writing prompts, and data collection to span throughout the unit. Contact your DTLS if you need support with this activity.
Step 3: Lesson Instructions
Possible Activating Strategies
Possible Activating Strategies
Video Clip
Weather 101 for kids - video of a real meteorologist explaining how weather is predicted and shared using a greenscreen
Vocabulary Game:
Play a guessing game where students describe weather conditions or a related vocabulary word using grade appropriate language, reinforcing weather-related language skills.
Free weather chart from PBS Kids: NC-Weather-Tracker.pdfNC-Weather-Tracker.pdfhttps://www.pbs.org/parents/printables/track-your-daily-weather
Rain Dance Party:
Organize a fun dance session where children mimic different types of weather through movement—like swaying for wind or jumping for rain—integrating physical activity with learning about weather phenomena. Include moves that represent seasonal weather - like shivering for winter and sweating for summer.
Additional Literacy Connections
Teacher Resources
Teacher Resources
Science A to Z
What's the Weather - The Kiboomers Preschool Learning Songs for Circle Time
Watch video: What Is Weather pbsnc.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/02caff94-055e-4cba-9aae-2451b113c7c6/what-is-weather-young-explorers/?student=true&focus=true
Videos:
How’s the Weather? video & song (Epic): https://getepic.com/video/42261331/weather-hows-the-weather?utm_source=t2t&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=content&share=36219445473
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