Lesson Title: What information do weather maps provide?
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 understand how to use weather maps to identify fronts, temperature, and precipitation.
Action
Before Class Preparation:
Display KWHL chart from Google Docs on the SMARTboard
Gather newspapers and recent local weather report videos for student research at The Weather Channel
During Class
Time
Instructional Activities
Materials and resources
10 minutes
Revisit the KWHL chart as a class to review what the students have learned about weather.
Present students with the new essential question, and allow them to contribute what they know and want to know about identifying fronts, temperature, and precipitation using weather maps. Teacher adds to the Google Doc online as students add to their individual KWHL chart.
Computers with Internet access for teacher and each student
Students will rejoin their collaborative groups to research patterns in fronts, temperature, and precipitation by observing weather maps in newspapers, on local radio, internet sites, and local television stations, as well as gathering information through websites and videos.
Students will gather, collaborate about, and add the following information to their group's Power point presentation:
Research information about patterns in fronts, temperature, and precipitation as they are shown on weather maps.
Examples of weather symbols and their meanings.
Computers with Internet access for teacher and each student
All students will join a whole group discussion to share the information they gathered about patterns in fronts, temperature, and precipitation through examinations of weather maps. Teacher will add to the class Google Doc KWHL chart on the SMARTboard, as well as students adding to their individual KWHL chart.
Computers with Internet access for teacher and students
Notes:As the students apply what they have learned, ensure that they are relating the information that they are gathering to their own problem and local weather forecast. Students may also need additional support in learning how to use Microsoft Power Point to create their presentation.
Monitor
Ongoing assessments: Students will continue to 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. As an extention, students can create their own video and audio clips to add to their group's presentations. The teacher will provide a tutorial in creating a presentation using Microsoft Power Point as needed.
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: 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.