MSP Project
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Unit/Lesson Plan Title: Weather Wizards
CookLauren
Primary
Subject
Science
Integrated
Subjects
Math and Language Arts
Grade Level
Kindergarten
Length of
Unit/Lesson
5 days
Research
Sources
-http://www.weatherwizkids.com/experiments-thermometer.htm
-Elementary Science with Vernier by Marti Moore, Dvaid Carter, barbra Andersen and
Tara Windle (“How Do Mitten’s Keep You Warn” Page 2-1)
Unit/Lesson
Summary
In this unit Students will be able to tell what temperature is. Students will be able to show what a
thermometer is. Students will be able to tell how rain is formed. Students will be able to describe how
a thermometer shows temperature. Students will be able to explain how clothes effect your body
temperature.
Key
Vocabulary
thermometer, temperature, weather, rain, warmth, forecast, moisture, precipitation
Essential
Standards/
NCSCOS
Science
-K.E.1- Understand change and observable patterns of weather that occur from
day to day and throughout the year.
-Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an
understanding of weather concepts.
Math
-1.01 Develop number sense for whole numbers through 30.
-1.03 Solve problems and share solutions to problems in small groups
-2.02 Recognize concepts of calendar time using appropriate vocabulary (days of the
week, months of the year, seasons).
-4.01 Collect and organize data as a group activity.
-4.02 Display and describe data with concrete and pictorial graphs as a group
activity.
Language Arts:
-Competency Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral
language, written language, and media and technology.
-Competency Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral,
written, and visual texts.
Essential
Questions
What is temperature?
How is rain formed?
How does a thermometer show temperature?
What is a thermometer?
How do clothes effect your body?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Materials/
Resources
Needed
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Vernier LabQuest, Temperature Probe, plastic cups, pre/post test flipchart, winterclothes.flp and
weatherflipchart, data sheets, weather journal, weather writing journal
Making Thermometer-11 oz water bottles (one for each child) Straws, water, rubbing alcohol, modeling
clay, food coloring,
Making rain- glass jar, plate, hot water, ice cubes, index cards
Snowman thermometer-Construction paper, glue, markers, scissors,
Books: The Rainy Day by Anna Milborne,What Will the Weather Be Like Today by Paul Rogers, Caps,
Hat, Socks and Mittens by Louise Border, Snowy Winter Day by Estelle Fledman, The Mitten by Jan
Brett, Snow on Snow on Snow by Cherly Chapman ,Winter is Here by Kimberly Weinberger, Snowy
Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Exploration/ Day 1:
Engagement 1.) Teacher will tell the students we will be spending the next week learning about weather and
Activities
temperature. The teacher will then pull up the weatherwizards.flp to take the pre-test to assess their
prior knowledge on the material.
2.) Class will create a KWL chart titled “What do we know about Weather.”
3.) Next teacher will read the book “What Will the Weather be Like Today?” by Paul Rogers. Then
class will refer back to their KWL to see if there is anything else to add that they learned from the book.
4.) As a class students will look at www.weatherchannel.com on the promethean board to observe the
predicted forecast for the day. Next, students two students will step outside to report back to the class
if they agree with the web-site's forecast for the day. Before their report class will sing “What’s the
Weather?” All students will then return to their seats to record their finding in their “My Weather
Journal."
5.) Teacher will model a writing sample with the prompt of “What can I do on a sunny day?” Reminding
students as we write together to add details about observations made in the environment due to
temperature.
6.) As a class students explore weatherflipchart.flp. To expose them to generally weather terminology.
7.) Creation of the snowman paper thermometer. Teacher will tell students that water freezes at 32*F
and they will mark on their thermometer this freezing point. See student sample.
Day 2:
1.) As a class students will look at www.weatherchannel.com on the promethean board to observe the
predicted forecast for the day. Next, students two students will step outside to report back to the class
if they agree with the web-site's forecast for the day. Before their report class will sing “What’s the
Weather?” All students will then return to their seats to record their finding in their “My Weather
Journal."
2.)Class review the KWL chart made the day before, adding any necessary informant. Then teacher
will read “The Rainy Day” by Anna Milborne. Then class will refer back to their KWL to see if there is
anything else to add that they learned from the book.
3.) In Small Groups class will complete the “Making it Rain” Experiment with teacher assistance. Pour
about two inches of very hot water into the glass jar. Cover the jar with the plate and wait a few
minutes before you start the next step. Put the ice cubes on the plate. EXPLANATION: What
happens? The cold plate causes the moisture in the warm air, which is inside the jar to condense and
form water droplets. This is the same thing that happens in the atmosphere. Warm, moist air rises and
meets colder air high in the atmosphere. The water vapor condenses and forms precipitation that falls
to the ground.
4.) As a class students will explore the winterclothes.flp and determent what clothing would be
appropriate for weather scenarios.
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Exploration/ 5.)Teacher will model a writing sample with the prompt of “What can I do on a rainy day?” Reminding
Engagement students as we write together to add details about observations made in the environment due to
Activities
temperature and precipitation.
Day 3:
1.) As a class students will look at www.weatherchannel.com on the promethean board to observe the
predicted forecast for the day. Next, students two students will step outside to report back to the class
if they agree with the web-site's forecast for the day. Before their report class will sing “What’s the
Weather?” All students will then return to their seats to record their finding in their “My Weather
Journal."
2.) Class review the KWL chart made the day before, adding any necessary informant. Then teacher
will read “The Mitten” by Jan Brant. Then class will refer back to their KWL to see if there is anything
else to add that they learned from the book. 3.) Teacher will ask the students if you have a favorite part
of mittens or gloves? When you wear mittens or gloves they keep you hands warm. Ask the students
were they think that warmth comes from? In this experiment you are going to find the source of the
heat. Experiment Procedure: Refer to teacher created “The Mitten” data sheet. Complete experiment
the have students explain were they think the heat came from and what clothes would be better
choices to wear in cold vs. hot weather.
4.)Teacher will model a writing sample with the prompt of “What can I do on a cold day?” Reminding
students as we write together to add details about observations made in the environment due to
temperature and precipitation.
Day 4:
1.) As a class students will look at www.weatherchannel.com on the promethean board to observe the
predicted forecast for the day. Next, students two students will step outside to report back to the class
if they agree with the web-site's forecast for the day. Before their report class will sing “What’s the
Weather?” All students will then return to their seats to record their finding in their “My Weather
Journal."
2.) Class review the KWL chart made the day before, adding any necessary informant. Then teacher
will read “Winter is Here” Kimberly Weinberger. Then class will refer back to their KWL to see if there
is anything else to add that they learned from the book.
3.) Teacher will ask the students to think about our weather journal they have been working on all
week. Think about the temperature numbers they have been writing and compare them to how they
feel out side. Then we will go outside with the probe in small groups to take the temperature of the
ground, water outside and air outside. Refer to “ Outdoor Winter Temperature” data sheet.
4.)Teacher will model a writing sample with the prompt of “What can I do on a windy day?” Reminding
students as we write together to add details about observations made in the environment due to
temperature and precipitation.
Day 5 :
1.) As a class students will look at www.weatherchannel.com on the promethean board to observe the
predicted forecast for the day. Next, students two students will step outside to report back to the class
if they agree with the web-site's forecast for the day. Before their report class will sing “What’s the
Weather?” All students will then return to their seats to record their finding in their “My Weather
Journal."
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
2.) Class review the KWL chart made the day before, adding any necessary informant. Then teacher
will read “Snow on, Snow on, Snow” Cherly Champan. Then class will refer back to their KWL to see if
there is anything else to add that they learned from the book.
3.) Creation of water bottle thermometer. PROCESS: Fill about 1/4 of the bottle full with equal parts of
water and rubbing alcohol. Add a few drops of food coloring. Put the straw in the bottle, but don't let it
touch the bottom. Use the modeling clay to seal the neck of the bottle, so the straw stays in place.
(Make sure the straw does not touch the bottom of the bottle.)Hold your hands on the bottom of the
bottle and watch the mixture move up through the straw. EXPLANATION:Why does this happen? Just
like any thermometer, the mixture expanded when it was warmed. This made the mixture no longer fit
in the bottom of the bottle. As the alcohol expanded the colored mixture moved up through the straw. If
they bottle were to get extremely hot, the mixture would have come up through the top of the straw.
4.)Teacher will model a writing sample with the prompt of “What can I do on a cloudy day?” Reminding
students as we write together to add details about observations made in the environment due to
temperature and precipitation.
5.) Weather Wizards flipchart post test.
CookLauren
Accommodation
for
Differentiated
Instruction
Students will be grouped in heterogeneous groups throughout this unit mixing their ability groups.
Extended time on assignments for those who need it. Peer tutoring. Extension activities and the
opportunity for peer tutoring will be given to those students who finish early. Modified assignments
could be provided for those students with exceptional needs.
Cross
Curricular
Integration
Language Arts
In this unit students will be writing in a “My Weather Writing Journal” daily about things they like to
do in different kinds of weather scenarios and their observations of the changes in the environment do
to temperature. In a whole group setting the teacher will be reading several weather and temperature
related books to the class and discussing connection of these book to the content material being
taught throughout this lesson.
Math:
Students will be reading and writing number, and recognizing concepts of calendar as the both
read to daily temperatures as well as when the create their thermometers. They will problem solving
on day 3 when they are asked what kind of clothing best keeps them warm on a cold day. Students
will be collecting and organizing data during their Labquest experiment, in their “My Weather Journal”
and during the mitten experiment.
Art:
Students will be creating two forms of thermometers using paper, glue, scissors and crayons in one
and water bottles, straws and water in the other.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
CookLauren
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Assessments:
Performancebased
Formative
Summative
Pre Test:
1. Weather Wizards Activote Flipchart
Formative Assessment:
1. Students will create a snowman thermometer to show that water will freeze at 32* F. (Day 5)
2. Students will create a Weather Journal to represent daily weather changes. Including
temperature and weather type. (Day 1-Day 5)
3. Students will be able to preform task with the Vernier LabQuest Thermometer Probe. (Day 4)
4. Students will write a story about what type of clothing will keep them warm. Before writing the
students will use “Turn to you Partner”. (Day 3)
5. Collect Data for chart during Mitten Experiment. (Day 3)
6. Students will use the Problem Solving and Assessment Group Work form to complete after each
Group Assignment. ( Day 3, Day 4)
7. Teacher will use observation, questioning, discussions, students attitudes, student precipitation,
throughout the unit to assess formatively. (Daily)
Summative Assessment:
1. Weather Wizards Activote Flipchart
Extension
Activities
www.prometheanplanet.com
Flicharts:TheMItten
Winter Unit created by North Rowan Elementary Kindergarten Teachers
Vernier Teaching Manual: Baggie Mitten Experiment, pg. 3-1
www.weatherwizkid.com: Cloud in a Bottle experiment, Melting Snow
Created by
Lauren Cook and Melissa Rhyne
Email
cooklb@rss.k12.nc.us and rhynema@rss.k12.nc.us
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Teaching Materials
Primary Teaching Materials:
Book List
• The Rainy Day by Anna Milborne
• What Will the Weather Be Like Today by Paul Rogers
• Caps, Hat, Socks and Mittens by Louise Border
• Snowy Winter Day by Estelle Fledman
• The Mitten by Jan Brett
• Snow on Snow on Snow by Cherly Chapman
• Winter is Here by Kimberly Weinberger
• Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Websites
• www.weatherchannel.com
• www.prometheanplanet.com Weather Flipchart_ 2008071090932
Winter Clothes.flp
•
• http://www.weatherwizkids.com/experiments-thermometer.htm
• http://www.softschools.com/measurement/temperature/games/thermometer/
• http://www.weatherwizkids.com/experiments-make-rain.htm
Resources
• Elementary Science with Vernier by Marti Moore, David Carter, Barabara Anderson & Windle
Supporting Teacher Materials:
Online Resources:
www.prometheanplanet.com
Flicharts:TheMItten
Other Units:Winter Unit created by North Rowan Elementary Kindergarten Teachers
Vernier Teaching Manual: Baggie Mitten Experiment, pg. 3-1
www.weatherwizkid.com:Cloud in a Bottle experiment and Melting Snow
Book List:
• Caps, Hat, Socks and Mittens by Louise Border
• Snowy Winter Day by Estelle Fledman
• Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Communication of findings:
“Them Mitten Data Sheet”
“Outdoor winter Tempearture Data Sheet”
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Cross Curricular Integration:
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Language Arts
In this unit students will be writing in a “My Weather Writing Journal” daily about things the like to
do in different kinds of weather scenarios and their observations of the changes in the environment
do to temperature. In a whole group setting the teacher will be reading several weather and
temperature related books to the class and discussing connection of these book to the content
material being taught throughout this lesson.
Math:
Students will be reading and writing number, and recognizing concepts of calendar as the
both read to daily temperatures as well as when the create their thermometers. They will problem
solving on day 3 when they are asked what kind of clothing best keeps them warm on a cold day.
Students will be collecting and organizing data during their Labquest experiment, in their “My
Weather Journal” and during the mitten experiment.
Art:
Students will be creating two forms of thermometers using paper, glue, scissors and crayons in
one and water bottles, straws and water in the other.
Use of Vernier Probeware and Other Technology:
Day 1: Flipchart pretest, www.weather.com, wetherflipchart.flp
Day 2: www.weather.com
Day 3: www.weather.com, Vernier LabQuest and Temperture Probe, winterclothes.flp
Day 4: www.weather.com, Vernier LabQuest and Temperture Probe
Day 5: www.weather.com Flipchart post test
Activities students can do at home:
• Make a windsock.
• Watch the morning weather forecast
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Goals and Outcomes
Essential Standards:
Science
K.E.1- Understand change and observable patterns of weather that occur from day to day and
throughout the year.
Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of weather
concepts.
Math
1.01 Develop number sense for whole numbers through 30.
1.03 Solve problems and share solutions to problems in small groups
2.02 Recognize concepts of calendar time using appropriate vocabulary (days
months of the year, seasons).
4.01 Collect and organize data as a group activity.
4.02 Display and describe data with concrete and pictorial graphs as a group
Language Arts:
Competency Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written
language, and media and technology.
Competency Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual
texts.
Content Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to tell what temperature is.
2. Students will be able to show what a thermometer is.
3. Students will be able to tell how rain is formed.
4. Students will be able to describe how a thermometer shows temperature.
5. Students will be able to explain how clothes effect your body temperature.
Process skills Outcomes:
1. Predict temperature changes.
2. Observe temperature effects.
3. Compare clothing types to help body retaining heat.
4. Create thermometers.
5. generate a weather journal to represent daily weather.
6. Executing inquiry based experiments with vernier lab quest and temperature probes.
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
of the week,
activity.
MSP Project
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Supporting Materials
Teacher Notes:
• Preparations of both journals
• Have adult volunteers lined up to help with the all inquiry experiments
• May work better to feel water bottle completely with water alcohol mixture and mark temperatures on the straw rather
than the bottle.
• Have stickers or other labels read to put on the water bottle thermometers to mark different levels of temperature
( room temp, ice water, hand heat)
Schedule of Instruction:
Unit will be taught in January 2012. Unit will take 5 days to teach.
Day 1: Students will be introduced to weather unit, take pretest, create a simple snowman thermometer, Create KWL
chart, Introduction to weather channel and start weather journals.
Day 2: Weather Journal, KWL continued, Making it Rain Experiment, Writing Journal
Day 3: Weather Journal, KLW, Mitten Experiment, Weather Writing Journal
Day 4: Weather Journal, KWL, Vernier LabQuest Thermometer Outdoor Experiment and collet data, Winter Weather
Journal.
Day 5: Review Weather Unit, Making Thermometer with water bottle, Winter Writing Journal, Finalize KWL chart,
post test.
Materials List:
• Vernier LabQuest, Temperature Probe, plastic cups
• Making Thermometer-11 oz water bottles (one for each child) Straws, water, rubbing alcohol, modeling clay, food
coloring,
• Making rain- glass jar, plate, hot water, ice cubes, index cards
• Snowman thermometer-Construction paper, glue, markers, scissors,
• pre/post test flipchart, winterclothes.flp and weatherflipchart, data sheets, weather journal, weather writing journal
• Books: The Rainy Day by Anna Milborne,What Will the Weather Be Like Today by Paul Rogers, Caps, Hat, Socks
and Mittens by Louise Border, Snowy Winter Day by Estelle Fledman, The Mitten by Jan Brett, Snow on Snow on
Snow by Cherly Chapman ,Winter is Here by Kimberly Weinberger, Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats,
• www.weatherchannel.com
• www.prometheanplanet.com Weather Flipchart_ 2008071090, Winter Clothes.flp
• http://www.weatherwizkids.com/experiments-thermometer.htm
• http://www.softschools.com/measurement/temperature/games/thermometer/
• http://www.weatherwizkids.com/experiments-make-rain.htm,
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Accommodations of Differentiated Instruction:
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Students will be grouped in heterogeneous groups throughout this unit mixing their ability groups. Extended time on
assignments for those who need it. Peer tutoring. Extension activities and the opportunity for peer tutoring will be given
to those students who finish early. Modified assignments could be provided for those students with exceptional needs.
List of Sources and References:
-http://www.weatherwizkids.com/experiments-thermometer.htm
-Elementary Science with Vernier by Marti Moore, Dvaid Carter, barbra Andersen and
Tara Windle (“How Do Mitten’s Keep You Warn” Page 2-1)
-Properties of Matter teacher Guide: National Science Resources Center
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
Assessment
Pre and Post-Tests:
• Weather Wizards activote flipchart
Formative Assessment:
1. Students will create a snowman thermometer to show that water will freeze at 32* F. (Day 5)
Science
-K.E.1- Understand changes and observe patterns of weather that occur from day to day and throughout the year
- Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of weather
concepts.
2. Students will create a Weather Journal to represent daily weather changes. Including temperature and weather type.
(Days 1-5)
Science
-K.E.1- Understand changes and observe patterns of weather that occur from day to day and throughout the year
- Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of weather
concepts.
Language Arts
-Competency Goal 3: Thea learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language and media
and technology.
- Competency Goal 4: the learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written and visual texts.
3. Students will be able to preform task with the Vernier LabQuest Thermometer Probe. (Day 4)
Science
Math
-K.E.1- Understand changes and observe patterns of weather that occur from day to day and throughout the year
- Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of weather
concepts.
- 4.01 Collect and organize data as a group activity
4. Students will write a story about what type of clothes will keep them warm. Before writing the students will use “Turn
to Talk.” (Day 3)
Science
- Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of weather
concepts.
Language Arts
-Competency Goal 3: Thea learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language and media and
technology.
- Competency Goal 4: the learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written and visual texts
5. Collect Data for Chart During Mitten Experiment (Day 3)
Science
- Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of weather
concepts.
Math
-
1.01 Develop number sense for whole numbers
1.03 Solve problems and share solutions to problems in small groups.
4.01 Collect and organize data as a group activity.
4.02 Display and describe data with concrete and pictorial graphs as a group activity.
6. Students will use the Problem Solving and Assessment Group Work form to complete after each Group Assignment.
(Days 3 and 4)
Science
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Math
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
-K.E.1- Understand changes and observe patterns of weather that occur from day to day and
throughout the year
- Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of weather
concepts.
-
1.01 Develop number sense for whole numbers
1.03 Solve problems and share solutions to problems in small groups.
4.01 Collect and organize data as a group activity.
4.02 Display and describe data with concrete and pictorial graphs as a group activity.
7. Teacher will use observation, questioning, discussions, student attitudes, student precipitation, throughout the unit to
assess formatively. (Daily)
Science
-K.E.1- Understand changes and observe patterns of weather that occur from day to day and
throughout the year
- Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of weather
concepts.
Language Arts
-Competency Goal 3: Thea learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language and media
and technology.
- Competency Goal 4: the learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written and visual texts.
Math
- 1.01 Develop number sense for whole numbers
- 1.03 Solve problems and share solutions to problems in small groups.
- 4.01 Collect and organize data as a group activity.
Performance based Assessment:
•
•
•
•
Creation of thermometer
Creation of paper thermometer and correct placement of freezing line
Teacher observations
Completion of data sheets for experiments with Vernire LabQuest with Temperature Probes
Other Artifacts:
1. Video Clip of Students singing “Whats the Weather.”
2. Student Created Weather Journal of Writing samples about weather.
3. KWL Chart
4. Student created thermometers
5. Data sheets completed by students
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET
MSP Project
Melissa Rhyne & Lauren Cook
How is our learning module inquiry
based?
Our Learning Module is Inquiry Based for many reasons.
Students will be able to ask questions about thermometers and any other
materials used during our week long unit. Students will be investigating the
environment while taking temperatures with the Vernier LabQuest.
We will be using a general approach to conduct simple investigations while
making rain and discovering temperatures in several areas. Students will be
exploring with objects and materials to create thermometers. We will able to
make use of our senses by talking about the weather and how we dress to
prepare our bodies for the winter weather. Students will be attempting to explain
and predict how these experiments will work.
Of course, as the nature of Kindergarten, students will be communicating. We
will use drawings, writings, and models to present their ideas and findings. Also,
students will be creating charts to keep records of their findings through the
unit. As well as creating the KWL chart as a class.
CookLauren
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:38:26 PM ET