Lesson Plan

Temperature, Clouds and Sun is Weather - oh, my!

White fluffy clouds against bright blue sky above a brown field with a road running to the left.
Grade Level:
Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
Subject:
Literacy and Language Arts,Science,Social Studies
Lesson Duration:
90 Minutes
State Standards:
New York:
PK.AL.1 Actively engages in play as a means of exploration and learning:

PK.AL.2 Actively engages in problem solving

PK.AL.3. Approaches tasks and problems with creativity, imagination and/or willingness to try new experiences.
Additional Standards:
Common Core:
English Language Arts Standards » Reading: Literature » Grade 1
Craft and Structure:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
Range of Reading and Level of Text

Essential Question

1. “What is weather?”

2. “What is temperature?”

3. “What are the differences in cloud formations?”

Objective

 Participants will be able to understand what constitutes temperature and weather.
 Participants will be able to identify cloud formations.

Background

 Lessons are simple in form and detailed for a successful outcome, formal background knowledge not required.

Preparation

Cloud Head Band
 White Construction Paper 
Staplers
Staples
Cloud Template
Scissors
Crayons
Cotton Balls
Glue

Weather Journal (download) 
Pencil Clipboard or something hard to write on that can be carried.

Cloud In A Jar  
1 Mason Jar with a Lid
Carafe of Hot water
 Ice
 Hairspray

“En Plein Air Cloud Capture” 
Sun glasses and cloud headband ,or hat .
Something hard to place under paper to draw on.
Towel , blanket or chair to sit on outside. 
Cloud template - download.
Crayons or watercolors and paintbrush .
 

Materials

The program consists of videos, hands-on projects, and observation-based activites. The participant will:  Create a cloud headband.  Learn about the job of a Meteorologist.  Predict tomorrow's weather.  Learn about Martin Van Buren's year without a Summer.  Conduct an experiment to create a cloud in a jar and document the type of cloud by comparing it to a cloud chart.  Enjoy some En Plein Air drawing or painting of cloud formations.

Download Temperature, Clouds and Sun is Weather - Oh, My!

Lesson Hook/Preview

 “To be or not to be” outside in flip flops when it’s snowing? That is the question.
Well, maybe not one Shakespeare asked, but you should, and that’s why it’s important to pay attention to the weather outside!
Did you know that weather more than just one thing?
How do you tell the difference?
You’ll find the answer to these questions and more in this lesson through an experiment, creating art and other activities.
You’ll also learn a little bit about a man named Shakespeare -actually his first name was William, but Shakespeare is far more fun to pronounce.
So, join Shakespeare on a journey to learn how
“temperature, clouds, and sun is weather – Oh, my!”

Procedure

A Weather journal will serve as a guide for the lesson’s activities.
1: Read: “Weather Journal Introduction”
2. Read: “Begin the Adventure”
3. Listen: To a story on YouTube: “When Cloud Became a Cloud”
4. “Make a Cloud Headband”

  1. Make cloud headbands to wear while enjoying event activities.
  • Directions and templates attached.
5. “Meteor Whaaaat?”
  1. Find out what a Meteorologist does.
  2. Watch the following YouTube link:
“Weather for Kids 101”By: Meteorologist JD Rudd at 41 Action News in Kansas City, Missouri.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWWx3reC9qA
  • Is cc for the hearing impaired.
6. “What is Weather?”

Using a weather chart with 6 Symbols representing the following weather conditions: Sun, Rain, Clouds, Wind, Snow, Thunderstorms

and

2 Symbols representing temperature,Participants will document the day’s weather and temperature and predict both for the following on an activity page.

7: “Cloud In a Jar”
  1. Create a cloud in a jar using hot water and ice.
  2. Document the type of cloud formation produced during the experiment.
A chart will be available in the Weather Journals explaining cloud formations.
  1. Document findings in the Weather Journal.
8. Read the story in the weather journal, “The Year Without a Summer,” that occurred in 1816. 
  1. Answer the question at the bottom of the story.
9.  “En Plein Air” Cloud Capture
  1. Allow artistic passions to flow by drawing the clouds observed outside.
  2. Use the “Cloud page” in the weather Journal.
10. Test your knowledge with a “Cloud Quiz.”

Vocabulary

  1. Temperature – Measured difference of hot and cold.
  2. Cloud Formation – How clouds are created and types.
  3. En Plein Air – (pronounced: on-plane-air) In the open air.
  4. Weather – Heat, cloudiness, sunshine, wind, and rain outside.
  5. Meteorologist (pronounced: meet – ee- or – all- ih – jist)
 A person whose job it is to study weather.

Assessment Materials

 Cloud Quiz

A quiz consisting of five questions based on information covered in the Weather Journal. The quiz will be located at the end of the “Weather Journal.”

Rubric/Answer Key

 Cloud Quiz

1. True
2. Temperature
3. True
4.  Volcano
5.  a. Stormy  b. Sunny  c. Windy

Supports for Struggling Learners

Weather for Kids 101 By: Meteorologist JD Rudd at 41 Action News in Kansas City, Missouri.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWWx3reC9qA

Enrichment Activities

  • National Weather Service: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
          Website: Just for Kids https://www.weather.gov/cae/justforkids.html
  • The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids
Website: For Kids https://www.almanac.com/kids#weather

Additional Resources

Extensions for Excelling Learners:

National Geographic Kids “Weather”By: Kristin Baird Rattini

Contact Information

Email us about this lesson plan

Last updated: September 8, 2021