Related Lessons: weather maps and symbols, scientific instruments
Grade Level: 4th Grade
Unit: Mt. Zion Meteorologists & Weather Watchers
Goals
Content Standards: S4E4. Students will analyze weather charts/maps and collect weather data to predict weather events and infer patterns and seasonal changes. a. Identify weather instruments and explain how each is used in gathering weather data and making forecasts (thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, wind vane, anemometer). b. Using a weather map, identify the fronts, temperature, and precipitation and use the information to interpret the weather conditions. c. Use observations and records of weather conditions to predict weather patterns throughout the year. d. Differentiate between weather and climate.
ISTE NETS-S
Communication and Collaboration
Research and information fluency
Digital Citizenship
Technology Operations and Concepts
Instructional Objectives: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how weather instruments are used in gathering weather data to predict forecasts.
Action
Before Class Preparation:
Provide students with the link to the Google Docs KWHL chart. (Copy for each student)
Post the unit standards and lesson essential question on the SMARTboard.
Develop student groups for collaboration.
Access weather report video clip and school news report video clip to play on SMARTboard.
During Class
Time
Instructional Activities
Materials and resources
20 minutes
Show students a clip from the school news and a clip from the TV news. Discuss the problem with students, that our school news is missing a weather forecast report which could provide valuable information to teachers and students daily.
Explain the essential question, for students to learn about the different tools used for understanding and predicting weather.
Review the KWHL chart with students and add information about what students know and want to know about weather, and how they plan to gather future information. Teacher adds to the Google Doc online as students add to their individual KWHL charts.
Review the unit rubrics with students to clarify expectations for group collaboration and their technology presentations, as well as understanding of the content and technology standards.
Assign students to their collaborative groups of four students, based on gender, learning level, and knowledge of the technology tools.
SMARTboard
Local TV Weather Report clip
Video Clip of school morning announcements
Computer with Internet access for teacher and each student
All students will join the whole group discussion to share the information they gathered about weather instruments on the class Google Doc KWHL chart on the SMARTboard, as well as adding to their individual KWHL chart.
SMARTboard
Computer with Internet access for teacher and each student
Notes: When forming groups, four students will work together on each Power Point presentation. Ensure that students who need extra support are placed into a group with other students they will work well with and that are performing on grade level or higher. It is also important to have at least one student in each group who is familiar with Microsoft Power Point and creating presentations. Review expectations for students to properly use technology such as the Internet and Microsoft Power Point. If needed, provide a tutorial for students who need assistance using Power Point to create a presentation.
Monitor
Ongoing assessments:Students will be monitored by the instructor as they progress through their research and collaboration towards their group Power Point presentation.
Accommodations and Extensions: Students with special visual or language needs will be able to access the KWHL chart online in Google Docs as an accommodation to creating their own KWHL chart. A list of weather vocabulary terms in Spanish is available for English Language Learners. To appeal to kinesthetic learners, the teacher should give a hands-on demonstration to show how the weather instruments are used, as well as allowing students try experiment with the tools. As an extention, students can create their own video and audio clips to add to their group's presentation.
Back-up Plan:If the technology is unavailable, students can create a poster or choose another appropriate presentation style to share what they learn. Students can use books and newspaper articles to gather information.
Evaluation
Lesson Reflection and Notes:As students work on adding information to their presentation, the teacher should monitor what information is being added to the Power Point, and remind students to refer to the rubric to meet the requirements for their group collaboration and final presentation. Gather student KWHL charts at the end of the lesson to see what information each student is gathering throughout their research. Take note of what concepts students had difficulty grasping to review in the following lesson.
S4E4. Students will analyze weather charts/maps and collect weather data to predict weather events and infer patterns and seasonal changes.
a. Identify weather instruments and explain how each is used in gathering weather data and making forecasts (thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, wind vane, anemometer).
b. Using a weather map, identify the fronts, temperature, and precipitation and use the information to interpret the weather conditions.
c. Use observations and records of weather conditions to predict weather patterns throughout the year.
d. Differentiate between weather and climate.