Earth’s Atmosphere and Weather
A Model Idea-based, Internet-Integrated Lesson Plan
Lesson Design
The Learners
Elementary, K-2 Students.
The Subject Matter
General:
Discipline 4; Earth Science
Specific:
Weather conditions, seasonal changes in Michigan and safety
precautions surrounding severe weather.
The Phenomenon
Real-world contexts surrounding daily changes in weather; severe
weather, and visible seasonal changes in nature.
The Objective
Students will investigate and describe what makes up weather and
how it changes from day to day, from season to season and over long
periods of time. Students will also analyze the relationships between
human activities and the atmosphere.
Benchmarks & Standards
Standard: Earth Systems (E.S.)
E.ES.E.2 Weather- Weather changes from day to day and over seasons
E.ES. 01.21 Compare daily changes in the weather related to
temperature (cold, hot, warm, cool); cloud cover (cloudy, partly cloudy,
foggy), precipitation (rain, snow, hail, freezing rain); wind (breezy, windy,
calm).
E.ES. 01.22 Describe and compare weather related to the four
seasons in terms of temperature, cloud cover, precipitation, and wind.
E.ES. 01.23 Describe sever weather events
E. ES. 01.24 Describe precautions that should be taken for human
safety during severe weather conditions (thunderstorms, lightning,
tornadoes, high winds, blizzards, and hurricanes).
Standard: Earth Systems (E.S.)
E.ES. E.3 Weather Measurement- Scientists use tools for observing,
recording, and predicting weather changes.
E.ES. 01.31 Identify the tools that might be used to measure
temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, and wind.
E.ES. 01.32 Observe and collect data of weather conditions over a
period of time.
Evidence of Achieve the Objective
Why do weather condition change suddenly? What precautions can
human take to ensure their safety?
The Idea/Metaphor
Weather can change suddenly and affect our lives a great deal.
Knowing how to stay safe is important.
The Idea Tool
National Weather Service http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
Weather Whiz Kids
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/Weather%20Words.htm
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/WxSafety.htm
The Flow
Preparation (I do, not explain)
Required resources
Internet access
Option 1 (preferred): Students work 2 to a computer
Option 2: Students each work on own computer
***Option 3: 1 computer with a projector or television
Steps
Ensure that http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ ,
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/Weather%20Words.htm, and
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/WxSafety.htm are accessible and
functions in the browsers on the computers.
Print enough worksheets for each pair of students (or each individual in
option 2).
Introduction/Engagement
I. Introduction:
a) Whole class: Today, we’re going to talk about different types of
weather. Let’s brainstorm together the different types of weather. I will
write them on the board as we go. Student response will vary (i.e.
sunny, rain, snow, wind, cloudy).
b) Whole class: Following this, Using the Internet and an overhead
projector, take students to
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/Weather%20Words.htm. Here we will
explore various weather words and take a closer look at weather
situations such as hurricanes, tornadoes, clouds, rains & floods, winter
storms, thunderstorms, lightning, wind, temperature, wildfires,
earthquakes, and volcanoes. With partners, allow students to explore
the website on student computers. Have students jot down notes they
feel are important to each of the weather words listed above (teacher
or instructional assistant may need to help). Discuss as a whole group
and share response on a word wall for further use.
II. Break into Teams for Activity and Partner Responses
a) Next, we will continue working as a team at the computers. Please
look at the television screen to observe a website called the National
Weather Service. Here you can learn about weather all around the
world. What I want you to do is figure out what they weather is like right
here in our area. You will be looking for information about temperature,
clouds, wind, and precipitation. Watch how I do this on the screen. I
will walk students through the steps of how to find out about today’s
weather.
b) Students will work with partners on classroom computer to explore
the National Weather Service website. Together the pairs will
determine what type of weather we are having in our area. Students
will record their answers on the worksheet that follows.
c) Students will be asked to answer the question, “What is the
temperature today in Traverse City, Michigan?” Students will record
their answers on the worksheet. Responses will vary based on the
temperature and weather conditions for the day.
d) Whole class: What was the weather like yesterday? What is the
weather predicted to be like tomorrow? The next day? How do you
think meteorologists (people who study the weather) can make these
types of guesses? Students will use NWS website again to make these
predictions about upcoming forecasts. They will record their answers
on the handout that is provided.
IV. Abduction/Metaphor/Big Idea
a) Whole class confirmation of findings: How does the weather affect
our daily lives? Weather affects us in many different ways. For
example, if affects our moods (how we feel), what we wear, our leisure
activities (what we do for fun), and travel. What happens when we get
a big snow storm? How do you feel when it is rainy and cloudy
outside? Discuss answers to these questions.
b) Whole group- Ask students what they think would happen if I stuck a
thermometer in a bucket of ice. Would the temperature go up or down?
How quickly would the temperature change? Demonstrate this process
using a bucket of ice and a thermometer. Show starting temperature
and then wait five minutes. Observe the changes in temperature.
c) Ask students what could happen if our weather changed so
suddenly? What types of precautions should be taken to ensure our
safety? (i.e. do not play outside during a thunder storm, go in
basement or room without windows during a tornado, stay off the roads
during winter storms)
V. Extension
a) Whole class: Now that we’ve learned about some basic weather
words and how weather can affect out lives, let’s take a moment to talk
about what would happen if our weather changed so suddenly? What
types of precautions should be taken to ensure our safety? For
example, if there is a thunder and lightning storm, what can you do to
stay safe (student responses will vary but hopefully they will
acknowledge that they should not be outside playing). Continue
discussing various scenarios.
b) In teams a student computers, have students go to the Weather
Whiz Kid page at http://www.weatherwizkids.com/WxSafety.htm.
Students will record safety date for Flood Safety, Heat Wave Safety,
Lightning Safety, Thunderstorm Safety, Tornado Safety, Wildfire
Safety, and Winter Storm Safety on the handout provided.
[apply to re-see own world]
Homework assignment- Begin collecting data daily to track weather
patterns. Each day, students will research information on the National
Weather Service website and document it on a data collection
worksheet (table). We will use this information to discuss patterns in
weather and to create safety brochures for various weather conditions.
Scientists’ words
Temperature
Clouds
Precipitation (Snow, rain, sleet, hail)
Wind
What is the traditional textbook explanation?
Weather describes conditions in the atmosphere at any time or short
period of time. Weather conditions can change suddenly. Today may
be warm and sunny, tomorrow may be cool and cloudy. Weather
conditions can include rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, mist, sunshine, wind,
temperature, and thunderstorms.
Assessment
VI. Assessment – after lesson
a) Complete the post assessment, where student use guided imagery
to identify types of weather. A long term project will follow as students
will use the National Weather Service website to track daily weather
patterns. Students will use their findings to generalize information
about weather patterns and to discover how weather changes from day
to day. Students will create a weather brochure to display their
knowledge of various types of weather and appropriate safety
precautions.
Student Handout- Weather
Part I. Types of Weather
Weather Whiz Kids- Link http://www.weatherwizkids.com/Weather%20Words.htm

Hurricanes

Tornadoes

Clouds

Rains & Floods

Winter Storms

Thunderstorms

Lightning

Wind

Temperature

Wildfires

Earthquakes

Volcanoes
Part II. Predicting Weather
National Weather Service Link: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
WEATHER
Temperature
Clouds
Precipitation
Wind
Part III. Safety Precautions
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Weather Whiz Kids Link: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/WxSafety.htm

Flood Safety

Heat Wave Safety

Lightning Safety

Thunderstorm Safety

Tornado Safety

Wildfire Safety

Winter Storm Safety