The Minnesota Literacy Council created this curriculum with
funding from the MN Department of Education. We invite you to
adapt it for your own classrooms.
MASTER
Summer Weather: Week 1 of 2
Unit Overview
This is a two-week unit during which the S's will learn weather vocabulary and how to make small
talk about the weather. They will read and listen to weather forecasts and discuss general weather
topics. They will also focus heavily on severe weather and safety plans for severe weather
situations.
During the 1st week S's will focus on general weather topics, including making small talk about
the weather, understanding weather forecasts and building weather-related vocabulary.
During the 2nd week S's will focus on severe weather, especially thunderstorms and tornadoes.
S's will also get information about having an emergency plan for themselves and their families.
Throughout both weeks teachers should make a special effort to engage the S's in listening and
speaking activities as much as possible, since the curricula is heavily focused on listening
materials.
Unit Objectives:
After this unit S's will...
●
...have learned how to write, read, say & identify weather vocabulary.
●
...be able to make small talk about the topic of weather.
●
...be able to read & understand weather forecasts.
●
...know how to properly prepare for and react to severe weather in MN.
●
...know the correct way to use adjectives and adverbs.
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Unit Outline:
Week 1: Talking about the Weather
Monday: Introduction to weather / Reading a weather map
Tuesday: Talking about the weather / Understanding weather forecasts (Day 1 of 3)
Wednesday: Talking about the weather / Understanding weather forecasts (Day 2 of 3)
Thursday: Talking about the weather / Understanding weather forecasts (Day 3 of 3)
Week 2: Severe Weather
Monday: Introduction to severe weather & natural disasters
Tuesday: Thunderstorms
Wednesday: Tornadoes
Thursday: Severe weather emergency plans
MATERIALS:
RLE3: Real Life English - Level 3
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Summer Weather: Monday, Week 1 of 2
Introduction to weather / Reading a weather map
Lesson Objectives:
●
S's will recall weather vocabulary
●
S's will use adjectives to describe weather
●
S's will discern information from weather maps
Materials
Weather Vocabulary:
● Students brainstorm list
Adjectives:
● Weather Flashcards (below)
Weather maps:
●
RLE3: 31-32
Activity Ideas:
Weather vocabulary:
●
●
Lead a class discussion about weather.
○
What is your favorite kind of weather? Why?
○
What is the weather like in your hometown? How is it different from Minnesota?
○
Is weather important in your life? Why or why not?
○
Do you listen to weather reports on the radio or on TV? Why or why not?
Ask S's to brainstorm words they know that describe weather. Make a class list. Be sure they
mention all the basics including sunny, cloudy, foggy, snowy, rainy, windy, hot, cold, etc... Note that
the point of this activity is not to introduce a lot of new vocabulary, but to review what they already
know.
○
BE SURE to record the list and pass it on to tomorrow's teacher.
● Have S's review/practice this vocabulary.
Adjectives:
●
Choose some of the words from the vocab list that are adjectives and list them on the board. Ask S's
what kind of words they are. Discuss adjectives and their function (describe nouns). Note: this may
require reviewing what nouns are (people, places, things or ideas).
●
Make a list of some weather nouns and the corresponding adjective. sun - sunny, cloud - cloudy, etc.
Ask S's what patterns they see. See if they can suggest more adjectives that follow this pattern.
○
If this is difficult for the students you can use the Weather Flashcards in the Materials section to
help as a prompt.
●
Ask Ss to write several sentences describing the typical weather in their hometown. After they write,
have them go back and underline the adjectives.
Weather maps:
●
Give out handout from RLE3, pg. 31. Have S's silently read through the information and try to answer
the questions. When most have finished, discuss together the different regions of the U.S. and which
weather terms are used to describe each one. After reading and discussing, you can have S's listen to
the audiotape and follow along.
●
Give out handout from RLE3, pg. 32. Listen to the dialog at the top of the page. Then have S's
practice the dialog with a partner. Next look at the weather map and talk through what the different
symbols mean. Then have S's make new conversations by using the dialog in part A, but replacing the
shaded words with new information.
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4
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Summer Weather: Tuesday, Week 1 of 2
Talking about the weather / Understanding weather forecasts (Day 1 of 3)
Lesson Objectives:
●
S's will practice informal conversations about the weather
●
S's will practice 10 new weather vocabulary words
●
S's will practice listening to and understanding weather
forecasts
●
S's will identify adjectives and begin to identify adverbs
Materials
Weather forecasts:
●
RLE3: 34
Adjectives and adverbs:
●
RLE3: 143-144 (listening
script)
Activity Ideas:
Weather conversations:
●
Print out and bring in the weather forecast for today from a newspaper or off the internet. Discuss any
unfamiliar vocab or concepts. See if the forecast matches the current weather conditions.
●
Use a computer with internet access to look up the current weather in one of the S's' home city.
Compare it with current weather here.
●
Provide a model of a typical conversation with a stranger at the bus stop about the weather today.
Include phrases like: It's a _______ day today. Tomorrow's supposed to be ________ . I like/don't
like this weather because _____________ .
● Have Ss practice in pairs. Have some pairs perform their conversation for the whole group.
Weather vocab:
●
Ask Ss to tell you the weather terms they brainstormed last night. Check the list left by last night's
teacher to make sure you get them all. Go through all terms and ask for a student volunteer to
explain and/or give an example of each one.
●
Add more words to this list. Try to add about 10 more specific, more advanced vocabulary related to
weather to the list. Here are some ideas (you and S's may come up with others): muggy, humid,
damp, overcast, clear, fair skies, showers, scattered showers, thunderstorm, thunder, lightning. BE
SURE to record the full list and pass it on to tomorrow's teacher.
● Review/practice the vocab words.
Weather forecasts:
●
Introduce the word "forecast". Discuss what it means. Let Ss know that in Minnesota, it is very
common to listen to the weather forecast and discuss it with friends and coworkers.
●
Do the listening activity from RLE3, pg. 34. Note that if you follow the instructions you would have
S's listen to each listening two or three times. Even if the S's understand everything, remember that
repetition is important and make sure you play the listening activity at least 2 times!
Adjective and Adverbs:
●
Ask S's to remember what they learned yesterday about adjectives. (Adjectives describe nouns,
adjectives usually come before nouns, sometimes adjectives can be formed by adding -y to a noun.)
○
●
Hand out the listening script for the above listening activity, found on RLE3, pg. 143-144. Have
S's read through it and circle all the adjectives they can.
Now ask if Ss know what an "adverb" is. Discuss adverbs and their function (describe verbs, usually).
Let them know that adverbs often end with -ly.
○
Have S's read through the listening again and find the adverbs.
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Summer Weather: Wednesday, Week 1 of 2
Building vocab, fluency and comprehension about weather (Day 2 of 3)
Adjectives and adverbs
Lesson Objectives:
●
S's will practice informal conversations about the
weather.
●
S's will review weather vocab.
●
S's will practice listening to weather forecasts.
●
S's will continue using and learning about
adjectives and adverbs.
Materials
Weather forecasts:
●
"Friday's Weather Report" on
www.esl-lab.com
●
Handout for "Friday's Weather
Report” (below)
Activity Ideas:
Warm-up:
●
Print out and bring in the weather forecast for today from a newspaper or off the internet. Discuss any
unfamiliar vocab or concepts. See if the forecast matches the current weather conditions.
●
Use a computer with internet access to look up the current weather in one of the S's' home cities.
Compare it with current weather here.
Weather conversations:
●
Provide a model of a typical conversation with a stranger at the bus stop about the weather today.
Include phrases like: It's a _______ day today. Tomorrow's supposed to be ________ . I like/don't
like this weather because _____________ .
● Have Ss practice in pairs. Have some pairs perform their conversation for the whole group.
Weather vocab:
●
Using the class list of vocab created on Mon and Tues, do one or more of the vocabulary review
activities. Ask the coordinator if you can’t come up with an activity.
Weather forecasts:
●
Do an online listening activity here: "Friday's Weather Report". (Note that you will need a computer
with speakers in order to listen to this in class.) When you go to the website
http://www.esl-lab.com/weat1/weat1.htm,you will see online questions that accompany the listening.
You can find a printable handout with these questions, as well as the script of the listening in the
Materials below.
Play the listening several times, each time with a different focus:
1. Ask Ss to listen for weather vocab words.
2. Give out the Qs and have Ss try to answer them (this may take 2 repetitions).
3. Let Ss read along with the script.
Adjectives and adverbs:
●
Have Ss brainstorm a list of adjectives about weather (hot, cold, sunny, windy, etc). Then discuss if
any of them have corresponding adverbs with -ly. (hot - hotly; sunny - sunnily?). Make another list
of some general adjectives that have corresponding -ly adverbs. (nice - nicely; happy - happily; quick
- quickly; beautiful - beautifully, etc.)
●
Have Ss practice writing sentences with these words. Note that this may be quite difficult for them, so
plan to give them several examples first.
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“Friday’s Weather Report”
Comprehension questions:
1. What was Friday's weather like?
A. fair and humid
B. warm and dry
C. hot and partly cloudy
2. What were the high temperatures for Friday in the state?
A. 85 to 90 degrees
B. 91 to 95 degrees
C. 96 to 99 degrees
3. What is Saturday evening's weather forecast for the state?
A. light rain over the entire state
B. heavy showers over the northern part
C. some rain in parts of the state
4. About what time should skies clear on Sunday?
A. around 10:00 AM
B. around 3:00 PM
C. around 6:00 PM
5. What event will occur on Sunday evening?
A. The earth's shadow will cover the moon.
B. Colorful lights will appear in the sky.
C. Shooting stars will be visible.
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Transcript for the listening:
Well, for those of you who went out today, I don't have to tell you it was clear, but muggy for
most of the state, with the high temperatures in the low to mid 90's. The city of Elkview had the
high for the day of 97 degrees. And that's hot. I'm glad I'm working indoors today!
For those of you planning outdoor activities tomorrow, you can expect fair skies for most of
Saturday with temperatures in the high 90's. However, things might change by Saturday
evening with a storm front moving in. We can expect light scattered showers over the northern
part of the state bringing slightly cooler temperatures in the 80's, but this rain should taper off
by mid Sunday morning. It will be partly cloudy for most of the morning, but these clouds
should move out by mid-afternoon.
Skies should be clear Sunday night for those wanting to catch a glimpse of the partial lunar
eclipse. It should start at 10:47 pm. And that's all for today's weather.
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Summer Weather: Thursday, Week 1 of 2
Building vocab, fluency and comprehension about weather (Day 3 of 3)
Adjectives and adverbs
Lesson Objectives:
●
S's will practice informal conversations about the
weather.
●
S's will review weather vocab.
●
S's will practice listening to weather forecasts.
●
S's will practice using adjectives and adverbs,
especially in writing.
Materials
Weather forecasts:
●
Weather reports listening (online)
●
Handout for Weather reports
listening (below)
Activity Ideas:
Warm-up:
●
Print out and bring in today's weather forecast from a newspaper or off the internet. Discuss any
unfamiliar vocab or concepts. See if the forecast matches the current weather conditions.
●
Use a computer with internet access to look up the current weather in one of the S's' home cities.
Compare it with current weather here.
Weather conversations:
●
Provide a model of a typical conversation with a stranger at the bus stop about the weather today.
Include phrases like: It's a _______ day today. Tomorrow's supposed to be ________ . I like/don't
like this weather because _____________ .
● Have Ss practice in pairs. Have some pairs perform their conversation for the whole group.
Weather vocab:
●
Have the class remember what vocab words they have learned this week, without looking at their
notes. Pretend not to understand the words and have Ss explain them to you.
● To review this vocab one more time, do another review activity. Ask you coordinator for ideas.
Weather forecasts:
●
Do an online listening activity here: http://www.englishclub.com/speaking/weather-report.htm
● (Note that you will need a computer with speakers in order to listen to this in class.) When you go
to the website, you will see online questions that accompany the listenings. You can find a printable handout
with these questions, as well as scripts of the listenings below with the Materials.
Play the listenings several times.
1. Ask Ss to listen for weather vocab words.
2. Give out the Qs and have Ss try to answer them (this may take 2 repetitions).
3. Let Ss read along with the script.
Note: you may want to cut the page with the listening scripts into strips and only give out one at a
time, so that Ss aren't able to read ahead.
Adjectives and adverbs:
●
Have Ss do some writing about weather in their countries. Ask them to describe with as much detail
as they can and use both adjectives and adverbs.
●
As Ss finish, have them exchange writing and identify the adjectives and adverbs in each others'
writing.
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Weather Reports Listening
Weather report 1 (easy).
Listen and circle the correct answers.
1
Which season is it?
2
What kind of day is it?
an overcast day
3
summer
a mild day
winter
a chilly day
fall
a rainy day
What is the temperature?
ten degrees
4
minus ten
fifteen below
plus fifteen
Tomorrow it will probably
snow
5
spring
rain
stay sunny
be clear.
What does the weather reporter suggest using?
a raincoat
sunglasses
the radio
an umbrella
Weather Report 2 (medium)
Listen and circle the correct answers.
1
Which season is it?
2
Where is the weather report taking place?
in the newsroom
3
at the weather office
winter
on Mount Raven
fall
in a ski chalet
heavy rain
light snow
mild temperatures
It will feel so cold tomorrow because of the
humidity
5
spring
Which of the following is mentioned as part of tomorrow's forecast?
a blizzard
4
summer
wind
freezing rain
coming winter.
The weather reporter suggests that skiers should
stay indoors
beware of frost
dress warmly
go skiing.
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Weather Report 3 (difficult)
Listen and circle the correct answers.
1
Which season is it?
2
Where is the weather report taking place?
in the newsroom
3
at the airport
winter
at the beach
fall
in a forest
heavy rain
light snow
no precipitation
The air feels so comfortable because there is
cool rain
5
spring
What type of precipitation is forecasted for the week?
showers
4
summer
a warm wind
no humidity
a forest fire.
What does the weather reporter suggest people do to stay cool?
Keep away from fires.
Turn on their fans.
Sleep outside.
Camp by a lake.
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Weather Report 1 (easy)
This is CKNY and I'm Anita Pierce with weather. We couldn't ask for a better day for the first day of
Spring. Right now it's fifteen degrees and clear. We're expecting blue skies throughout the day.
Though there is only a ten percent chance of showers, this good weather can't last forever. It's
raining cats and dogs up north, so we should see rain by morning. Don't forget your umbrella
tomorrow. Now, stay tuned for local news.
Weather Report 2 (medium)
Hi, I'm Jesse Williams. This is your weekend weather report. This morning we're seeing sun with
cloudy periods as well as a few flurries. Right now I am at the top of Mount Raven where it is plus
two and expected to rise to about six degrees by noon. Overnight temperatures will probably drop
to at least minus seven. Tomorrow's forecast calls for more flurries with a high of zero and a low of
minus twelve. With the wind chill factor, that could put us at a record low of minus twenty.
Conditions are perfect for skiing this weekend, but if you're heading out to the slopes tomorrow,
please remember to bundle up to avoid frostbite. We'll go back to the newsroom now for a look at
what's in sports.
Weather Report 3 (difficult)
Good morning, this is Alonzo Jacob with your Monday weather report. The heatwave that slowed
everybody down this weekend is showing no signs of letting up this week. Our meteorologists
suggest that today's temperature could climb to as high as 40 degrees Celsius by the late
afternoon. Right now, only an hour after sunrise, the temperature here at the airport is already 29
degrees. However, there is relatively no humidity in the air, so it feels quite comfortable out here
at the moment. Unfortunately, there is also no rain in the forecast for the next five days. This is
bad news for the thirsty forest fires that are raging across the interior of our province. Looks like
setting up a tent in the backyard may be the only way to catch some sleep tonight if you don't
have air-conditioning. That's all for today's weather. Stay tuned for the morning traffic report.
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