Lesson Plan #1 - Review weather and introduce instruments

Grade/Subject:Grade 5 Science
Date:

Unit: Weather

Lesson Duration: 60 mins

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General Learning Outcomes:
58 Observe, describe and interpret weather phenomena; and relate
weather to the heating and cooling of Earths surface.
59 Investigate relationships between weather phenomena and human
activity.
Specific Learning Outcomes:
3. Describe and demonstrate methods for measuring wind speed and for
finding wind direction
4. DEscribe evidence that air contains moisture and that dew and other
forms of precipitation come from moisture in the air.
5.Describe and measure different forms of Precipitation, in particular, rail
hail sleet, snow.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
Observe and record data of daily weather patterns
Describe the factors of weather
Construct an instrument used to measure a particular factor of the weather
Demonstrate an understanding of the function of their instrument
ASSESSMENTS
Observations:
Key Questions:
I will observe students prior
What are ways we can describe
knowledge of the factors that
aspects of our weather?
contribute to the weather
What are the tools used to measure
I will observe students knowledge
the elements of weather?
of the ways weather can be
How can we describe the elements
described
of weather?
I will observe the students
knowledge about the tools used to
measure the factors of weather
Written/Performance Assessments:
Students will create their own list of terms used to describe weather
LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED
Resource#
The Alberta Program of Studies
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
*Smartboard and powerpoint

*Students should write down the list

PROCEDURE
Introduction (5 mins):
*Ask the class if they can make any connections between their extreme weather
assignment and the recent news of the Earthquake in NZ and the tsunami in Japan
Hook/Attention Grabber: Can anyone remember what the differences between weather
and climate are?
Assessment of Prior Knowledge: Can anyone tell me one of the six elements that make
the weather?
Answers: Temperature, Humidity, Wind Direction, Air pressure, Precipitation, Wind
Speed.
Extension: Does anyone know how we measure each of these factors?
Answers: Thermometer, Hygrometer, Weather Vane, Barometer, Rain Gauge,
Anemometer (Wind Speed)

Expectations for Learning and Behaviour: Students will be working from their desks
and following along with the class discussion. It is the same expectations as any other
classes. We will be going through a power point, and may get to a video.
Advance Organizer/Agenda: Have my own weather log available to show as an
example. Also need to prepare the Smartboard.
Transition to Body: Before we go any further with weather instruments, first we need to
come up with a system to observe, describe, record and report the weather. We are going
to make a Weather Log which we will use for a whole week to record and report our
weather.
Body (40 mins) :
Key Questions: What makes the weather?
Learning Activity #1: Elements of Weather
1. Begin by determining if students remember the difference between weather and
climate. They will briefly be reminded that weather is the current state of the
outside atmosphere, and can change depending on time and place.
2. Next, we will discuss the six elements of weather and ways that each element can
be described. Students will be told they will use these descriptions as a starting
point to create a weather report for our own area
Assessment/Differentiation:
How much do students know about the elements of weather, and if they know any
methods of collecting weather data.
Key Questions:What are the tool used to measure the elements of weather?
Learning Activity #2: Brainstorm for Weather Reports
1. As the class is discussing the elements of weather, they will also come up with a
list of terms or phrases that a meteorologist may use to report the weather

2. We will look at different pictures of the weather instruments used to measure the
elements as we go through each. After we have come up with a thorough list, I
will take the list and make a master copy to distribute
a. Temperature - Celsius, or Fahrenheit. Freezing, cold, frosty, chilly, mild,
warm, hot
b. Humidity - Thick, dense, patchy fog. Moisture, vapour, mist, damp, dew,
muggy
c. Wind Direction - NSEW. Strong, high, brisk, light, warm, cold, gusting,
breeze
d. Air Pressure - High pressure, low pressure, fronts, lows, masses
e. Precipitation - Heavy, downpour, pour, shower, light, drizzle, sleet, droplets,
rain
f. Wind Speed - Calm, gentle, moderate, strong, gale, violent, hurricane force
Sponge/Extra Activity if there is time left
This video discusses Air Pressure and Wind and how they create weather
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/weather-and-climate/air-pr
essure-and-wind.htm
Show this video on the elements of weather and how they interact
Complete the test included after the video to see how much they learned
This link is to the StudyJams PowerPoint on weather instruments
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/weather-and-climate/weather-ins
truments.htm
Assessment/Differentiation:
The quiz after the video will display out score out of 7
Closure (10 mins):
Consolidation/Assessment of Learning:
Students will keep the list they made of the weather elements
Feedback From Students:
They will provide their ideas of elements of weather and keep track in their notes
Feedback To Students:
Thank everyone for their positive contributions to the ideas about weather.
They will help teach the rest of the class this information tomorrow
Transition To Next Lesson:
Keep thinking about the weather elements and how they combine to create
weather. Consider the tools used to measure them, and if you have any at your
house, check and see how they work and what their readings are.

Lesson Plan #2 - Review and Make a Weather Log, and Explore Weather tools
Grade/Subject:Grade 5 Science
Date:

Unit: Weather

Lesson Duration: 60 mins

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General Learning Outcomes:
58 Observe, describe and interpret weather phenomena; and relate
weather to the heating and cooling of Earths surface.
59 Investigate relationships between weather phenomena and human
activity.
Specific Learning Outcomes:
6. Measure at least four different kinds of weather phenomena. Either
student constructed or standard instruments may be used.
7. Record weather over a period of time.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
Observe and record data of daily weather patterns
Describe the factors of weather
Construct an instrument used to measure a particular factor of the weather
Demonstrate an understanding of the function of their instrument
ASSESSMENTS
Observations:
Key Questions:
I will observe students prior
What are ways we can describe
knowledge of the factors that
aspects of our weather?
contribute to the weather
What are the names of weather
I will observe students knowledge
instruments and what do they
of the ways weather can be
measure?
described
How do weather instruments
I will observe the students
operate?
knowledge about the tools used to
measure the factors of weather
Written/Performance Assessments:
Students will begin their weather logs which they will fill out each day of the
week

LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED

Resource#
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
*Smartboard
*Weather Tools worksheets for each student (See Below)
*Students will need lined paper
*Stapler

PROCEDURE
Introduction (5 mins):
Hook/Attention Grabber: Can anyone tell me one of the six factors that make the
weather that we learned last day?
Answers: Temperature, Humidity, Wind Direction, Air pressure, Precipitation, Wind
Speed.
Assessment of Prior Knowledge: Does anyone remember how we measure each of these
factors?
Answers: Thermometer, Hygrometer, Weather Vane, Barometer, Rain Gauge,
Anemometer
Expectations for Learning and Behaviour: Students will be working from their desks
and following along with the class discussion. It is the same expectations as any other
classes.
Advance Organizer/Agenda: Have my own weather log available to show as an
example. Also need to prepare the Smartboard.
Transition to Body: Before we go any further with weather instruments, first we need to
come up with a system to observe, describe, record and report the weather. We are going
to make a Weather Log which we will use for a whole week to record and report our
weather.
Body (20 mins) :
Key Questions: How can we describe the factors of weather?
Learning Activity #1: Review and determine a system for Weather Reports
1. As a class, we will review the different adjectives used to describe each of the
factors of weather
a. Temperature
b. Humidity
c. Wind Direction
d. Air Pressure
e. Precipitation
f. Wind Speed
2. Students will take three sheets of loose leaf paper and staple them on the long
edge like a book. This will be their Weather Log

3. Students will write their name on the cover as Miss Es Weather Log which
they may decorate in their own time
4. Students will divide the pages in half by drawing a horizontal line across the
middle of the page. On the first line at the top of the page, and under the line they
just drew they will write the dates for the week at the top of each section. Under
the first section they will fill the page with the following template:
Date:
Today it is ______ degrees celsius.
Wind: (speed and direction)
Precipitation or Humidity:
Air Pressure:
The sky is:
Recommendations: (Clothing or activities)
Students can copy this template onto as many sections of their log as they can until it is
time to move on. If they do not finish, they should take it home to complete the template
and cover
Assessment/Differentiation:
The students will submit the Weather Log at the end of the week for formative
assessment and completion.
Key Questions: What are the instruments used to measure weather and what units
is each weather factor measured in?
Learning Activity #2: Match the Instrument to the Weather
1. Students will be given a Weather Tools worksheet which will also be displayed
on the smartboard. We will work as a class to complete the worksheet and
students will record the answers on their own worksheet.
2. Students have to unscramble the word, match it to the picture, and match it to the
description.
Assessment/Differentiation:
None
Sponge/Extra Activity if there is time left
Key Questions: What makes a good weather report?
Learning Activity #3: Weather Reports
1. As a class, we may watch a video of an actual news weather report
2. After we will discuss what the meteorologist had to include so we would
accurately know the weather
3. We will relate this back to our weather logs and practice writing a weather report
Assessment/Differentiation:

 None
Closure (2 mins):
Consolidation/Assessment of Learning:
Students will keep their learning logs with them to complete a weather report
Students will know what instrument measures which factor of the weather
Feedback From Students:
They will record today in their weather log
If they can remember what each instrument is used for and what it measures
Feedback To Students:
Thank everyone for their positive contributions to the ideas about weather. They
may take their weather log home to decorate if they would like. Please review the
Weather Tools Worksheet, as we will use that information again.
Transition To Next Lesson:
Keep thinking about the Weather Tools as we will be creating our own next class!