Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Weather Graphs
Melanie Henderson
Bay District Schools
Description
Students will use their knowledge of weather symbols to organize and construct a graph of the daily weather for one month. Each student will have a chance to give the daily weather report using Sammy's Science House Computer Software.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
LA.C.3.1.1
The student speaks clearly and at a volume audible in large- or small-group settings.
MA.E.1.1.1
The student displays solutions to problems by generating, collecting, organizing, and analyzing data using simple graphs and charts.
Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.
Effective Communicators
02 Florida students communicate in English and other languages using information, concepts, prose, symbols, reports, audio and video recordings, speeches, graphic displays, and computer-based programs.
Materials
- Graph paper
- Scientific software such as Sammy's Science House
- Computer with tv converter
- Tv
- Pencils
- Crayons
- Thermometer
Preparations
1. Teacher must show students how to use the software.
2. Teacher must teach students how to read and make a graph.
3. Teacher must demonstrate how to read a thermometer and allow for student experience.
4. Teacher must load software daily and turn on tv.
Procedures
1. Weather person for the day checks thermometer outside and weather conditions.
2. Student opens up the weather station in Sammy's Science House Software (or similar software).
3. Student clicks on the icons for temperature, rain possibilities and wind possibilities.
4. Student announces the forecast for the day and hits the go icon on the computer. (This will show a picture of the day they programmed.)
5. Students will use their graph paper to chart the information for that day.
6. Students will have 3 charts: one for temperature, one for rain and one for wind.
Assessments
Use a rubric to assess the graphing activity. Look for correct headings, if the right information is in the right place (meaning: if they put the wind in the wind column, rain in the rain column etc.), and for coloring their data into bars. Use a teacher checklist to assess their speaking abilities.
For example:
1. Face the audience
2. Speak loudly
3. Speak clearly
4. Gives the correct information
Extensions
Students can display or recreate their graphs by using unifix or connecting cubes.
Students can graph different animal habitats in science.
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