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Weather DetectiveSubmitted by: Christine Hering Description: This is an introductory lesson to a second grade weather unit. Basically what the students will be doing is observing the weather each day for one week and recording their observations in a chart. The students will be integrating information learned in English by using adjectives in their descriptions. After the students have collected data for a week, in cooperative groups, they will predict the weather for the next week. The teacher will show the students guides or weather reports from past years for that particular week in order to guide them in a direction of an accurate prediction. Intended Grade Level or Audience: 2nd grade through possibly 4th grade. Goal: The students will understand how observational skills can help them evaluate the weather. Objectives: 1. The students will record 5 daily observations in their observation charts for 5 days. 2. The students will learn to read a thermometer and record the daily temperature two times each day in their observation chart for five days. 3. In cooperative groups of 3-4, the students will make a three day prediction of the weather which includes the following: temperature morning and late afternoon, sky conditions, precipitation, and wind speed. These predictions will be recorded in the observation chart in addition to writing the basis for these predictions. 4. The students will be able to determine what types of clothing are necessary for the present weather conditions by writing a clothing suggestion to accompany their observations and predictions. Background Information for the Teacher: I created this lesson to arise an awareness of weather being all around us. In addition, it will also give the students a little taste of other major concepts that will be covered in the lesson such as temperature, air changes, wind direction and speed, in addition to cloud cover. I also believe that this is a good lesson to practice and utilize observational skills. Concepts Covered in the Lesson: 1. Reading a thermometer. Materials Needed: 1. Observation chart Procedure: 1. Each student will bring an observation chart and a pencil outside. 2. At the start of the day, the teacher and students will stand outside for approximately 5-10 minutes making group observations of the weather. The teacher may ask the students questions like what they think is the reason behind the air feeling hot or cold, or how come clouds are different shapes/ 3. The students will then record observations into their charts and return to the classroom. 4. Then when the students return to the classroom, the teacher will demonstrate how to read a thermometer. The students will the read the indoor/outdoor thermometer that is provided in the classroom and record the temperature. 5. While the students are out at recess, they will make more observations and record any differences from the morning results, in addition to recording the temperature when they return from recess. 6. Repeat steps one through five for five days. 7. After the last recording on the fifth day, divide the students into cooperative groups of 3-4, and have them compare their data. During their group time together, the students will predict what the weather will be for the next three days and write it into the observation chart. 8. The students will then write a short paragraph explaining how and why they came to the predictions that they did. Assessments: 1. The observation chart in itself can be used as an assessment tool for each student. 2. The prediction paper will also be used in assessing their knowledge of weather, in addition to observational skills. Example of observation chart:
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