LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Goal 2

The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate tools to build an understanding of the changes in weather.

Objective 2.03

Describe weather using quantitative measures of:

  • Temperature.
  • Wind direction.
  • Wind speed.
  • Precipitation.

Resources aligned to this objective

Geography centers
A geography unit in which students investigate and compare their hometowns and other cities. The unit incorporates nine centers: math, science, social studies, reading, writing, computers, puzzles and games, art, and listening. They all have activities that are integrated with the geography unit.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Arts, Visual Arts Education, Social Studies, Mathematics, Computer Technology Skills, and Science)
By Laurie Perry.
Observing the water cycle
Initially, students will observe a demonstration of the water cycle and apply the information gained through the demonstration. Then students will measure and graph rainfall for two weeks.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 and 5 Mathematics, Computer Technology Skills, and Science)
By Priscilla Nutt.
Project Groundhog
The students will determine the groundhog prediction of either six more weeks of winter or an early spring and see if the prediction was accurate by recording daily weather data for six weeks. Over that six week period the students will be comparing their weekly data with schools around the USA and Canada using the Project Groundhog website.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Mathematics and Science)
By Jane Diamond.
Weather watchers
This is a week long activity during which the students record the weather, track weather changes, and make predictions about future weather patterns.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Information Skills, Computer Technology Skills, and Science)
By Virginia Shaddix.
Weathering the water cycle: Evaporation
Students will learn that evaporation is one of the three stages of the water cycle. The other three lessons in this series on condensation, precipitation, and the water cycle will allow the students to explore all stages.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 and 5 Science)
By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.
Weathering the water cycle: Precipitation
Students will learn that precipitation is one of the three stages of the water cycle and how it relates to the other stages.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 and 5 Science)
By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.

Lesson plans on the web

The active earth
Students investigate natural disasters and create a poster showing “The Active Earth.” (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Science and Social Studies)
Provider: National Geographic
El Niño: More Than Just Hot Air?
Students are introduced to the El Niño phenomenon by doing a brief experiment and looking at pictures of El Niño. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies and Science)
Provider: National Geographic
How's the weather today?
Students examine maps, record temperatures, and draw pictures showing different weather conditions as an introduction to weather and temperature trends in different latitudes of the United States. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K and 2 Science and Social Studies)
Provider: National Geographic
Prepare yourself!
Introduces students to location and frequency of natural disasters in the United States. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K and 2 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
The warmth of the sun
Students recognize the sun's critical function in heating and warming the air, land, and water that sustain our lives. They will perform indoor and outdoor activities that help them begin to identify the sun as the natural, universal source of heat in the world. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Weather and wind
Students write a report on a topic related to wind and weather patterns and create a dance to demonstrate their understanding of weather patterns. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–4 Dance Arts Education and Science)
Provider: The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Weather: A journey in nonfiction
This research project is designed for primary students to engage in nonfiction text. Students formulate questions and research information on a subject. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts and Science)
Provider: IRA/NCTE
What is a tornado?
Students will learn about how tornadoes are formed and why most tornadoes occur in “tornado alley.” Students will create a tornado in a bottle and review basic safety information about what to do in a tornado. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K and 2 Science and Social Studies)
Provider: National Geographic