Cara Hunt Lesson Plan Template Topic: Weather Measurements and Tools Date: September 30, 2009 NSES: Grade level: 4 Content Standard D: As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of changes of earth and the sky Content Standard G: As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of science as a human endeavor SOL: Subject: Science 4.1:The student will plan and conduct investigations in which a) distinctions are made among observations, conclusions, inferences, and predictions 4.6: The student will investigate and understand how weather conditions and phenomena occur and can be predicted. Key concepts include a) weather measurements and meteorological tools (air pressure – barometer, wind speed --anemometer, rainfall – rain gauge, and temperature – thermometer); and b) weather phenomena (fronts, clouds, and storms). Daily Question: What is weather, and how do we measure weather phenomena? Procedures for Learning Experience Guiding Questions *Engagement: Read Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and discuss what is weather *Exploration: Go outside and observe weather daily: record temperature, wind/rain/sun/clouds/storms What is weather? What is today’s weather like? What do you notice about today’s weather compared with the day before? **Template is attached Materials Needed Book for read loud Science journal, pencil Evaluation (Assessment) None Approximate Time Needed 10-15 minutes Check for completion 10-15 minutes daily 2 *Explanation: Present the four properties of weather (air pressure, humidity, wind, and temperature) with definitions and tools used to measure each of these aspects What is weather? What can Weather tools Daily observations we observe and measure in science journals, about weather? worksheet 45 minutes Extension: Use weather tools to actively measure the properties of weather in groups of 4. Students receive a thermometer, barometer, anemometer, and rain gauge (we will leave these outside if it is a rainy day) How do you measure weather? 45 minutes Science journals, pencil Recorded observations and measurements in Science journals Notes: This lesson is an introduction to a unit on weather. By explaining the properties of weather and how to observe and measure these properties, students have a concrete and abstract understanding of what weather really is. After these initial lessons, students will continue to record weather observations in their Science journals without weather tools. Follow up lessons will include lessons about types of clouds and weather phenomena. To account for differentiation, I will assign students to groups based on need- higher ability students will be placed with students who need more support and guidance. These students will help each other understand how to use tools and new ways to perceive weather as each student has his/her own perspective. In addition, the opportunity to use weather tools provides a connection from the abstract to the concrete, which will help engrain the concept of weather properties and tools in students of beyond level, average, and approaching level learners. Hands-on activities are useful for all students.