LEARN NC

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

Science — Grade 5

Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of weather and climate.

Objective 3.05. Compile and use weather data to establish a climate record and reveal any trends.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

Resources on the web

Creative climates
In this Xpeditions activity, students pretend they are head of a new National Geographic Climate Observation Post, where they must create a Climate Map to illustrate the world's various climate zones. This and other weather-related activities illustrate the... (Learn more)
Format: website/activity
Provided by: National Geographic

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Weather activities with Night of the Twisters
While reading the novel Night of the Twisters, students will complete activities related to weather concepts described in the story. Students will complete activities which explore the key concepts of cloud formation, air pressure, and local weather patterns.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
By Melissa Bancroft.
Solar energy hot box
This hands-on science lesson is great because it allows students to get out of their seats and move about, as well as allows students to work in cooperative groups. The teacher is more of a facilitator and students are more in charge of their own learning processes.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
By Nicole Albright.
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 and Science)
By Priscilla Nutt.

Resources on the web

Weather complaints
Students will refer to a climate map to predict what the climate might be like in specified United States cities. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science and Social Studies)
Provided by: National Geographic
The eye of the hurricane
This lesson introduces students to the structure of a hurricane. Students will view a video about hurricanes, do a simple hurricane simulation, take a tour into the eye of a hurricane, and write reports about their tour. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Collecting, representing, and interpreting data using spreadsheets and graphing software: Collecting and examining weather data
Spreadsheets and graphing software are tools for organizing, representing, and comparing data. This activity illustrates how weather data can be collected and examined using these tools. In the first part, Collecting and Examining Weather Data, students... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Computer/Technology Skills, Mathematics, and Science)
Provided by: Illuminations
Climate controls
This Xpeditions lesson has students consider how various parts of the world and the United States are affected by climate controls such as world air currents. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science and Social Studies)
Provided by: National Geographic