Academic Standard K-4
K-4:
Topic: Seasonal Changes
The student will demonstrate an understanding of seasonal weather changes. (Earth
Science)
Key Concepts:
Weather: daily changes, patterns
Seasons: patterns
Indicators
K-4.1 Identify weather changes that occur from day to day.
Taxonomy Level: 1.1-A Remember Factual Knowledge
It is essential for students to be able to identify weather changes from day to day and to
recognize that weather changes on a daily basis. There are many different types of weather
conditions, for example, sunny, rainy, stormy, snowy, cloudy, windy, hot, wet, or cold. In
conjunction with K-1.3, they can predict the weather based on observation.
It is not essential for students to use weather instruments to gather data. Data collection using
instruments will be introduced at 2nd grade where students will use a thermometer, rain gauge,
and wind vane or sock to measure and record weather information (2-1.2 and 2-3.4).
Assessment Guidelines:
The objective of this indicator is to identify daily weather changes; therefore, the primary focus
of assessment should be to locate from memory different types of weather conditions. However,
appropriate assessments should also require students to identify how the weather is different today
compared to yesterday using specific terms.
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Academic Standard K-4
Topic: Seasonal Changes
K-4.2 Compare the weather patterns that occur from season to season.
Taxonomy Level: 2.6-A Understand Factual Knowledge
It is essential for students at this age to start noticing weather and other daily events or patterns
that affect them. Almost everything in nature has some type of pattern. There are patterns that
are obvious, such as the seasons. Patterns in weather have a huge effect on our lives. For
example, farmers rely on these patterns to know when it is the right time to plant their crops and
fishermen rely on patterns to know when and where the best place to fish might be. People even
plan their vacations based on the average temperature or annual snowfall in certain areas. The
weather is a topic of great interest to all, and one that will engage students in a great education
learning adventure.
Examples of some weather patterns that are appropriate to compare at this grade level are
 Rainy days
 Sunny days
 Cloudy days
 Snowy days
 Windy days
 Stormy days
It is essential for students know what weather changes follow a pattern called seasons. There
are four different seasons that occur in a repeating pattern:
 Winter
 Spring
 Summer
 Autumn (Fall)
It is not essential for students to collect formal data such as amount of rainfall or temperature.
Using weather instruments is a skill that students will add in 2nd grade to the weather knowledge
they are learning at this time.
Assessment Guidelines:
The objective of this indicator is to compare seasonal weather patterns; therefore; the primary
focus of assessment should be to detect ways that these objects are alike and different. However,
appropriate assessments should also require students to match pictures or diagrams of various
activities, landscapes, or people characterizing weather related features to appropriate seasons.
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Academic Standard K-4
Topic: Seasonal Changes
K-4.3 Summarize ways that the seasons affect plants and animals.
Taxonomy Level: 2.4-A Understand Factual Knowledge
It is essential for students to know that the seasons affect plants and animals. They are being
asked to summarize which means they need to give some major points or common themes.
Examples of ways that plants are affected are:
 Some trees shed their leaves and have bare branches
 Some leaves change color and fall off
 Trees form buds
 Some trees have full grown green leaves
Examples of ways that animals are affected are:
 They store food
 They grow warm winter coats
 Birds fly to a warmer place
 Bears go to sleep for a long time
It is not essential for students to know the terms deciduous and evergreen, but they do need to
know that some trees, evergreens, will stay green all year. Evergreens do shed (for example,
pine trees are evergreens that shed needles but constantly grow new ones that stay green all year
long). It is the deciduous trees that lose their leaves each autumn (fall) and grow them back in
the spring.
Assessment Guidelines:
The objective of this indicator is to summarize ways that seasons affect plants and animals;
therefore; the primary focus of assessment should be to give major points or common themes
that occur each season. However, appropriate assessments should also require students to match
pictures or diagrams of various plants and animals with characteristics unique to specific
seasons.
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Academic Standard K-4
Topic: Seasonal Changes
Supporting Content Web Sites
The Four Seasons
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/season.html&edu=elem
A brief explanation and pictures of each season are provided.
K-4.2, K-4.3
Cycles in Nature
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/cycles/
Site takes a look at cycles in nature. An explanation of day and night, the different phases of the
moon, seasonal changes and tides is provided. Click on seasonal changes for specific
information on seasons.
K-4.2
Seasons
http://www.learninghaven.com/science/articles/seasons.htm
Learn how earth’s tilt, indirect sunlight, and earth’s orbit all work together to produce the
seasons.
K-4.3
Up in the Sky
http://www.lil-fingers.com/sky/index.html
Interactive story about what is in the sky. Story goes from sun, to rain, to rainbows to night sky.
K-4.1
Zoe’s Silly Season
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/games/flash.php?contentId=111660
Students look at a picture that scans through the seasons and finds what is wrong with the season
in the picture.
K-4.3
Seasons
www.kizclub.com/seasonstory/season1.html
A story that takes you through the seasons of the year.
K-4.2, K-4.3
Four Seasons
http://www.oulu.fi/northnature/english/englanti/ajankohttalvi.html
Students take a look at pictures of the different seasons and animal that might be present during
that season.
K-4.3
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Academic Standard K-4
Topic: Seasonal Changes
Suggested Literature
Glaser, L. (2002). It’s Spring. Connecticut: Millbrook Press.
ISBN: 0761317600
This book highlights the season Spring, and shows animal and plant life throughout the season.
The book also takes a look at weather patterns during this season.
K-4.2, K-4.3
Gibbons, G. (1996). Reasons for Seasons. New York: Holiday House, Inc.
ISBN: 0823412385
Lexile Level: AD620L
An explanation of how the position of Earth in relation to the sun causes seasons, and the
wonders that come with each one of them.
K-4.2
Nelson, R. (2001a). A Cloudy Day. Minnesota: Lerner Publications Co.
ISBN: 0822501724
Text emphasizes weather patterns and looks at types of clouds and cloudy day facts.
K-4.1, K-4.2
Nelson, R. (2001b). A Sunny Day. Minnesota: Lerner Publications Co.
ISBN: 0822501767
Lexile Level: 150L
This book features full-color weather photographs. Text has informational pages on weather,
light, and shadows.
K-4.2
Nelson, R. (2001c). A Windy Day. Minnesota: Lerner Publications Co.
ISBN: 0822501740
This book features full-color weather photographs. Informational text on weather vanes and
windy days is given.
K-4.2
Rau, D. (2005). Amazing Science: Hot and Bright—A Book About the Sun. Minnesota: Picture
Window Books.
ISBN: 1404811354
This text explains scientific information related to the sun. Students will learn that the sun is our
closest star, how sunspots work, how seasons come to be, and the effects the Sun has on our
shadows.
K-4.2
Schnur, S. (2000). Spring Thaw. London: Puffin Books
ISBN: 1575843730
Lexile Level: AD770L
Text explores the changes in farmland as spring arrives. This story looks at gathering maple
syrup, young lambs, and the return of birds.
K-4.2, K-4.3
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Academic Standard K-4
Topic: Seasonal Changes
Thayer, T. (2002a). Seasons: Fall. Minnesota: Lerner Publications.
ISBN: 0822519917
Fall uses familiar scenes to show time and climate changes. Show the fact days get shorter in
the fall and that leaves change colors.
K-4.2
Thayer, T. (2002b). Seasons: Spring. Minnesota: Lerner Publications.
ISBN: 0822519909
Spring uses familiar scenes to show time and climate changes. The book shows changes in
flowers, weather, and kite flying.
K-4.2
Thayer, T. (2002c). Seasons: Summer. Minnesota: Lerner Publications.
ISBN: 0822519887
Summer uses familiar scenes to show time and climate changes. Text show what happens
between happenings in nature and human involvement.
K-4.2
Thayer, T. (2002d). Seasons: Winter. Minnesota: Lerner Publications
ISBN: 0822519895
Winter uses familiar scenes to show time and climate changes. This book depicts events such as
the measures people take to stay warm during cold weather
K-4.2
Yolen, J. (1998). Welcome to the Ice House. New York: Putnam
ISBN: 0399230114
Lexile Level: AD870L
This book looks at the Arctic as it progresses through all the seasons of the year. Students look
at the lives of animals and the changes they experience.
K-4.2, K-4.3
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Academic Standard K-4
Topic: Seasonal Changes
Suggested Data Streaming Video
The Four Seasons
ETV Streamline
From the snow of winter to the first flowers of spring, children see the wonder and magic of our
changing seasons and the patterns of life. Students witness how changes in climate and weather
affect their lives. They understand that weather changes seasonally, affecting the earth and the
people who live on the earth.
0:00-15:00
K-4.2
Brave Irene
ETV Streamline
Irene summons up all her courage in the face of a fierce snowstorm when her mother falls ill and
Irene must deliver a ball gown to the duchess. An engaging media adjunct for language arts
units, the program may also be used to promote discussions on nature, weather, and the seasons.
0:00-13:00
K-4.1, K-4.2
In the Small, Small Pond
ETV Streamline
The classic children's book by Denise Fleming comes to life! Spring is here in this cheerful
introduction to the seasons. Frogs leap, tadpoles wriggle, geese waddle, and minnows scatter.
Young kids won't want to miss a single splash. Stunning art is a feast for the youngest eyes.
Narrated by Laura Dern. Part of the Weston Woods Series.
0:00-5:00
K-4.2, K-4.3
Play and Discover with Digger and Splat: Seasons
ETV Streamline
Children join puppets Digger and Splat on an exciting "magic toy box" ride through the seasons
and find out exactly what happens in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. On the way, viewers
will meet many more amazing characters: there's Didi, Lula, Bookworm, and Robofact - not to
mention the birds and the bees!
0:00-17:30
K-4.2, K-4.3
Through the Seasons with Birds: Fall
Fall Begins
ETV Streamline
Children will see changes that happen in fall. This clip shows what happens with the weather
and with birds during this season.
00:00-00:51
K-4.2, K-4.3
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Academic Standard K-4
Topic: Seasonal Changes
Through the Seasons with Birds: Spring
Spring Begins
ETV Streamline
Children will see changes that happen in spring. This clip shows what happens with the weather
and with birds during this season.
00:00-01:25
K-4.2, K-4.3
Through the Seasons with Birds: Summer
Summer Begins
ETV Streamline
Children will see changes that happen in summer. This clip shows what happens with the
weather and with birds during this season.
00:00-01:33
K-4.2, K-4.3
Through the Seasons with Birds: Winter
Winter Begin
ETV Streamline
Children will see changes that happen in winter. This clip shows what happens with the weather
and with birds during this season.
00:00-00:34
K-4.2, K-4.3
Concepts in Nature: Adapting to Changes in Nature
A Closer Look at Nature
ETV Streamline
This program explains how plants and animals cope with both routine and unpredictable changes
in nature.
00:00-3:36
K-4.2, K-4.3
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Academic Standard K-4
Topic: Seasonal Changes
Career Connections
Atmospheric Scientist
Atmospheric science is the study of the physics and chemistry of gases, clouds, and aerosols that
surround the planetary bodies of the solar system. Atmospheric scientist may study the
atmosphere of different planets or may focus on Earth’s atmosphere.
Atmospheric scientists may work in the following areas: field research, laboratory studies and/or
computer analysis and modeling. Good communication skills (oral and written) are necessary as
they are involved in carrying out research and reporting it out. Most atmospheric scientist in the
United States work for the Federal Government and branches of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration or may work for private weather services. (K-4)
Meteorologist
Meteorologist forecast weather. They compare temperature readings, winds, atmospheric
pressure, precipitation patterns, and other variable to form an accurate picture of climate. They
are able to draw conclusions to make predictions, develop computer models and carry out basic
research to help understand how the atmosphere works so they can predict how it behaves. (K-4)
Storm Chasers
Storm chasers are scientists who follow tornadoes to study them. They try to drop weather
instruments into the paths of tornadoes to measure the air temperature, air pressure, wind speed,
and wind direction inside a tornado. This can be a difficult and dangerous career. Storm chasers
rely heavily on meteorologist who predicts the storms and then guide them to the most promising
systems. (K-4)
Climatologist
Climatologists study climate change, climate variability, and the effects of climate on the
biosphere. They use computers to predict the effect of weather or climate on the growth and
development of grain, vegetables, fruit, and other crops. Climatologists work for state and
federal governments as weather station network supervisors, computer programmers, and
supervisors of climate data publications. (K-4)
Ecologist
Ecologist study the relationship between living things and the environment. They conduct
research outdoors and in the laboratory. They apply ecological knowledge to solve
environmental problems and help manage natural resources. (K-4)
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