Weather Data
AUTHOR: Dorothy Justice, Sandy Plains School, Baltimore, MD
MAJOR OBJECTIVES:
- To record, graph and analyze weather data
- To compare and contrast bar graph results to determine seasonal changes in the weather
GRADE LEVEL: 1
MATERIALS CHECKLIST:
- One computer; printer
- Large screen monitor or overhead projector with projection panel
- Graphing software
- Teacher-developed tally sheets; crayons; folders
- Cardboard or laminated keyboards
TIME REQUIRED: 1/2 class period per month, ongoing daily activity
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
- Have the students use their tally sheets to record the weather (for example, cloudy,
foggy, rainy) each day during the month. Tally their information on a large tally sheet.
- At the end of the month, demonstrate the graphing software. Key in the types of weather
from their tally sheets and have them do the same on their desk "keyboards." For
example, ask "How many days were cloudy?" One student can key information into
the computer.
- After the weather for each day has been entered, print a bar graph and display it in the
room. As time allows, have the students take turns printing their graphs.
- Help the students analyze the results, asking questions such as "What kind of
weather did we have most of this month? The least? How many more days did we have with
sunny weather then with rainy weather?"
- Have the students put their graphs in a weather booklet and draw a picture of the
weather for that month.
- Have the class continue recording, graphing, and analyzing the weather each month. Have
them contrast the weather in different seasons.
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