Teaching Kinds of Weather

TEACHING
GUIDE
TEACHING
Kinds of
Weather
Kindergarten Reading Level
ISBN 978-0-8225-5397-7
2
TEACHING
K I N D S O F W E AT H E R
Standards
Behavioral
Studies
• Knows that people use their senses to find out about their surroundings.
Geography
• Understands the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic tools
and technologies.
• Knows the location of places, geographic features, and patterns of the environment.
• Understands how physical systems affect human systems.
Mathematics
• Collects and represents information about objects or events in simple graphs.
Science
• Understands atmospheric processes and the water cycle.
Multiple Intelligences Utilized
• Linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal,
interpersonal, and naturalistic
Copyright © 2005 by Publishing Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Student pages may be
reproduced by the classroom teacher for classroom use only, not for commercial
resale. No other part of this teaching guide may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written
permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief
quotations in an acknowledged review.
LernerClassroom
A division of Lerner Publishing Group
241 First Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55401 U.S.A.
800-328-4929
Website address: www.lernerclassroom.com
Manufactured in the United States of America
2 3 4 5 6 7 — IG — 14 13 12 11 10 09
Books in the Kinds of Weather
series include:
Cloudy
Rainy
Snowy
Sunny
Windy
TEACHING
Lesson 1
Weather Sort
K I N D S O F W E AT H E R
Pretest
(teacher, students)
• What is the weather like today?
• What are the other kinds of weather?
Purpose: Students will classify weather-related items.
Materials
• Kinds of Weather
books
• file folder game
templates pp. 11–13
• file folders
• scissors
• markers
• glue
Objectives
• Name weather-related items.
• Describe weather conditions.
• Determine use of weather-related items.
• Categorize weather-related items.
• Suggest additional weather-related items.
• Evaluate peer responses.
Activity Procedures
Prepare
(teacher)
• Create enough Weather Sort games for the class to
play in pairs by completing the following steps:
Step 1 Copy one file folder game template
pp. 11–13 for every two students.
Step 2 Cut out the large game board
rectangles and glue them to the inside
of a file folder.
Step 3 Cut out and color game pieces.
Step 4 Mark the backs of game pieces with
weather categories (windy, sunny, rainy,
cloudy, snowy) for self-correction, if
desired.
Step 5 Laminate game board and pieces for
durability.
Step 6 Attach a plastic zipper sandwich bag to
the inside of the folder to store the
pieces.
Read
(teacher, students)
• Read Kinds of Weather books.
Model
(teacher)
• Demonstrate how to play the Weather Sort game by
selecting a game piece and placing it onto the
correct weather category.
• Select and place a few items correctly and
incorrectly. Have students correct the incorrect
answers.
• Demonstrate how to help a partner who places an
item incorrectly.
Practice
(small groups)
• Play the Weather Sort game with a partner.
Discuss
(teacher, students)
• Could any of the pieces fit in more than one
weather category? Why?
• What other items could we add to the game?
Evaluate
(teacher)
• Observe pairs while playing. Check for
understanding.
3
4
TEACHING
K I N D S O F W E AT H E R
Lesson 2
Weather Walk
Purpose: Students will observe signs of weather in an
outdoor environment.
Materials
• Kinds of Weather
books
• Weather Walk p. 14
• pencils
Objectives
• Recall weather-related items.
• Describe weather conditions.
• Examine surroundings for weather-related items.
• Compare and contrast weather conditions.
• Predict future sightings of weather-related items.
• Justify reasons for not finding all possible weatherrelated items.
Activity Procedures
Prepare
(teacher)
• Copy Weather Walk p. 14 for each student.
• Get permission to lead the students on a walk
outside the school.
Pretest
(teacher, students)
• How can you tell the weather by looking outside?
Read
(teacher, students)
• Read Kinds of Weather books.
Model
(teacher)
• Explain Weather Walk p. 14 to the students.
• Review expectations for the walk.
• Remind students to look at plants, animals, and
people on their walk.
Practice
(students)
• Complete Weather Walk p. 14.
Discuss
(teacher, students)
• Were there any items you didn’t find on our walk?
Why didn’t we see those things today?
• Do you think we would find the same things every
time we went out for a walk? Why or why not?
• How did the weather affect the plants, animals, and
people on our walk?
Evaluate
(teacher)
• Review Weather Walk p. 14 for completeness.
• Complete this activity at various times during the
school year to assess long-term retention.
TEACHING
Lesson 3
Weather All the Time
Purpose: Students will explain how different kinds of
weather can occur at the same time.
Materials
• Kinds of Weather
books
• plain paper
• crayons
• chalk
Objectives
• Recall the different kinds of weather.
• Describe the kinds of weather.
• Illustrate a weather combination.
• Analyze different kinds of weather.
• Combine different kinds of weather.
• Choose a favorite combination of weather.
Activity Procedures
Prepare
(teacher)
• Write weather words on the board (sunny, windy,
rainy, snowy, and cloudy).
Pretest
(teacher, students)
• Has anyone seen a sun shower or played in snow on a
windy day? What did it look like? What did it feel
like?
Read
(teacher, students)
• Read Kinds of Weather books.
K I N D S O F W E AT H E R
Model
(teacher)
• Explain how it is possible to have different
combinations of weather.
• Give examples of different weather combinations.
• Tell students that they will create a weather picture.
Practice
(students)
• Students should draw a picture of a weather
combination.
Discuss
(teacher, students)
• Are there any kinds of weather that can’t happen at
the same time? Explain.
• Which combinations of weather do you like the best?
Evaluate
(teacher)
• Review pictures for completeness and understanding.
• Display weather artwork in the classroom.
5
6
TEACHING
K I N D S O F W E AT H E R
Lesson 4
A World of Weather
Purpose: Students will understand that weather is not
the same in all places.
Materials
• Kinds of Weather
books
• Internet access or
videotaped national
weather broadcast
Objectives
• Recall kinds of weather.
• Explain symbols used for weather conditions.
• Locate different kinds of weather.
• Compare weather in different locations.
• Develop ways to check weather in different places.
• Explain the importance of knowing weather in other
places.
Activity Procedures
Prepare
(teacher)
• Tape a national weather broadcast in which weather
symbols are used.
• Arrange to show the videotape or a weather Internet
site* to the students.
*Sites to try:
http://www.accuweather.com
http://theweathernetwork.com
Pretest
(teacher, students)
• What is the weather like today?
• Is the weather the same at Disney World? At
Disneyland? In Washington, D.C.?
Read
(teacher, students)
• Read Kinds of Weather books.
Model
(teacher)
• Explain how clouds, wind, rainstorms, and snowstorms
move across the Earth.
• Explain how storms can vary in size and strength.
• Describe the symbols used for different weather
types.
Practice
(students, teacher)
• Students will watch the weather broadcast via
Internet or videotape.
• Ask students to identify certain weather symbols.
• Students compare kinds of weather across the
country.
Discuss
(teacher, students)
• Instead of using the computer or television, how
could we find out or predict the weather in another
state?
• Why would a person want to know the weather in
another place?
Evaluate
(teacher)
• Evaluate student responses during the activity.
• Complete this activity at various times during the
school year to assess long-term retention.
TEACHING
Lesson 5
Weather Sense
Purpose: Students will describe the weather they
prefer by using sensory images.
Materials
• Kinds of Weather
books
• Weather Sense p. 15
• pencils
• crayons
• chart paper
Objectives
• Recall the kinds of weather.
• Describe the kinds of weather.
• Choose a favorite kind of weather.
• Examine kinds of weather by using senses.
• Discuss reasons people have different preferences.
• Explain preference for a kind of weather.
Activity Procedures
Prepare
(teacher)
• Copy Weather Sense p. 15 for each student.
• On chart paper, create a graph of the different kinds
of weather. Data will be compiled later.
Pretest
(teacher, students)
• What is your favorite kind of weather?
Read
(teacher, students)
• Read Kinds of Weather books.
Model
(teacher)
• Explain the directions for Weather Sense p. 15.
K I N D S O F W E AT H E R
Practice
(students)
• Students circle their favorite kind of weather.
• Complete Weather Sense p. 15 for that kind of
weather.
Discuss
(teacher, students)
• Students share Weather Sense p.15 with the class.
• Record on the graph which kinds of weather the
students chose.
• How did you pick your favorite kind of weather?
• Why didn’t everybody pick the same kind of
weather?
Evaluate
(teacher)
• Review completed Weather Sense p. 15 for
understanding and completeness.
7
8
TEACHING
K I N D S O F W E AT H E R
Lesson 6
Weather Fun
Purpose: Students will create a booklet of weatherrelated activities.
Materials
• Kinds of Weather
books
• ____ Day Fun p. 16
• magazines
• scissors
• glue
• crayons
• pencils
• chalk
Objectives
• Recall kinds of weather.
• Describe weather-related activities.
• Find pictures of weather-related activities.
• Categorize activities by weather type.
• Create a booklet of weather-related activities.
• Select a favorite weather-related activity.
Activity Procedures
Prepare
(teacher)
• Copy ___ Day Fun p. 16 for each student.
• Arrange students in groups of five.
Pretest
(teacher, students)
• Why can’t we go sledding on a rainy day?
Read
(teacher, students)
• Read Kinds of Weather books.
Model
(teacher, students)
• Brainstorm activities for each kind of weather.
• List the activities on the board.
• Assign each member of a group a different kind of
weather.
• Demonstrate how to write the kind of weather in
the blank of ___ Day Fun p. 16.
• Explain how to complete ___ Day Fun p. 16.
Practice
(small groups)
• Students color or cut and paste pictures of activities
to do during their assigned kind of weather.
• Assemble pages into a booklet for each group.
Discuss
(teacher, students)
• What activities can you do on a sunny day? On a
rainy day?
• Which type of day is your favorite? Why?
• Which activities don’t depend on the weather?
Evaluate
(teacher)
• Review completed booklets.
• Display booklets in the classroom.
TEACHING
Lesson 7
What to Wear?
Purpose: Students will choose weather-appropriate
clothing.
Materials
• Kinds of Weather
books
• five pairs of swim
trunks
• five pairs of
sunglasses
• five baseball caps
• five winter coats
• five pairs of mittens
• five scarves
• five jackets
• five pairs of boots
Objectives
• Recall kinds of weather.
• Describe weather conditions.
• Demonstrate purpose of weather-related clothing.
• Separate clothing according to its appropriate kind of
weather.
• Develop clothing ideas for weather changes.
• Assess the level of difficulty of weather-related
clothing.
Activity Procedures
Prepare
(teacher)
• Divide the class into five teams.
• Place one of each item into a pile for each team.
Pretest
(teacher, students)
• Why do people like to know what the weather will
be like during the day?
Read
(teacher, students)
• Read Kinds of Weather books.
K I N D S O F W E AT H E R
Model
(teacher, students)
• Explain how weather can affect the choices people
make, especially what to wear.
• Discuss different types of weather-related clothing.
• Explain that students will do a clothing relay, with
the following rules:
1. Teacher calls out a kind of weather.
2. One team member runs to their clothing pile
and dresses for that weather.
3. Class decides which team members are dressed
appropriately.
4. Teacher calls out different kind of weather,
and play continues with other team members.
Practice
(small groups)
• Play the clothing relay until all students have had a
turn.
Discuss
(teacher, students)
• Which type of weather is the hardest to dress for?
Why?
• What can people do in case the weather changes
during the day?
Evaluate
(teacher)
• Monitor student participation and understanding
during the game and follow-up discussion.
9
10
TEACHING
K I N D S O F W E AT H E R
Additional Resources
BOOKS
Bauer, Marion Dane. Clouds. New York: Simon &
Schuster, 2004.
———. Rain. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004.
———. Snow. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004.
———. Wind. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004.
This simple series of books is designed to
introduce children to the wonders of weather.
Complex concepts are presented without using
high-level vocabulary.
Brotak, Edward. Wild about Weather: 50 Wet, Windy
and Wonderful Activities. New York: Sterling
Publishing Company, 2004.
This book includes a variety of weather-related
topics. It provides information, as well as crafts
and activities, on how weather works.
Eckart, Edana. Watching the Seasons. New York:
Children’s Press, 2004.
Watching the Seasons provides facts about the
seasons through simple text and pictures. Other
books in this series include Watching the Weather
and Watching the Wind.
Laser, Michael. The Rain. New York: Simon &
Schuster, 1997.
Readers experience rain from the viewpoints of
five different people.
Napoli, Donna Jo. Albert. San Diego: Silver Whistle,
2001.
In this humorous tale, Albert, discouraged by all
kinds of weather, lives his life indoors. A visitor
opens Albert’s eyes and helps him appreciate the
world outdoors.
Nelson, Robin. A Cloudy Day. Minneapolis: Lerner
Publishing Group, 2002.
———. A Rainy Day. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing
Group, 2002.
———. A Snowy Day. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing
Group, 2002.
———. A Sunny Day. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing
Group, 2002.
———. A Windy Day. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing
Group, 2002.
This series shows emergent readers the basics of
weather.
Vestergaard, Hope. Hello, Snow! New York: Farrar,
Straus and Giroux, 2004.
This is the story of a young girl’s adventures after
a new snowfall. The rhyming text appeals to
young children.
Wick, Walter. A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and
Wonder. New York: Scholastic, 1997.
Water is everywhere, including in the weather.
Stop-action photographs allow children to view
the many properties of water.
Ziefert, Harriet. Bear Gets Dressed: A Guessing Game
Story. New York: Sterling Publishing Company,
2004.
Children will enjoy helping Bear dress for the
weather. Foldout pages provide the reader with
a picture of Bear dressed appropriately for the
day.
WEBSITES
Dan’s Wild Weather Page
http://www.wildwildweather.com
At this site, visitors can play games, listen to
weather sounds, and learn about different types
of weather. The site is designed for visitors ages
6–16.
The Weather Channel
http://www.weatherclassroom.com/home_
students.php
Design and print your own five-day forecast, just
like a real meteorologist.
Weather Dude
http://www.wxdude.com/
Welcome to the weather education site
especially for students, parents, kids, and teachers
from national TV meteorologist Nick Walker.
Weather Icons
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/inter/help/
icons/helpicons.htm
This site explains the differences in weather icons
and weather conditions, such as flurries and
snow.
11
rainy
sunny
cloudy
windy
Teaching Kinds of Weather
12
snowy
raincoat
snowsuit
sunglasses
kite
jacket
puffy clouds
flat clouds
raindrop
umbrella
lightning
rainbow
puddle
Teaching Kinds of Weather
13
flag
seeds
windmill
trees
snowflake
ice
snowman
sled
sun
shadow
swimmer
swimsuit
• To make the gameboard, • To allow for self-correcting,
cut out and glue the
write the correct weather
large rectangles inside
category (sunny, windy, etc.)
a file folder.
on the back of the pieces.
zipper-top
plastic bag
gray clouds
• Cut out and color the
game pieces.
• For durability, laminate the
pieces and gameboard.
• Secure in a zipper-top plastic
bag for storage.
Teaching Kinds of Weather
14
Weather Walk
Name
Directions: Circle
walk.
the things you find on your weather
shadow
blowing flag
sunglasses
ice
snowflake
puddle
flat clouds
sun
rainbow
snowsuit
blowing tree
fluffy clouds
Teaching Kinds of Weather
15
Weather Sense
Name
Directions: Circle
cloudy
your favorite kind of day.
rainy
sunny
snowy
On those days, I taste . . .
I smell . . .
I hear . . .
I feel . . .
Teaching Kinds of Weather
windy
16
________________ Day Fun
By
____________________
Teaching Kinds of Weather