Understanding Weather: Instruments, Data, and Patterns
Learning Objective
Total Time: 1 minute
Students will be able to explain how different weather instruments gather data to help predict weather events and distinguish between weather and climate.
Assessments
Total Time: 1 minute
Students will create a simple visual representation (a poster or digital slide) of the different weather instruments and their functions.
Key Points
Total Time: 3 minutes
Weather Instruments: Thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, wind vane, anemometer.
Functions of each instrument in data collection.
Difference between weather (short-term atmospheric conditions) and climate (long-term patterns over time).
Opening
Total Time: 3 minutes
Present a short, engaging video clip of various weather conditions (like a rainy day, sunny day, windy day).
Ask students to share what weather they experienced recently and how they knew what the weather would be.
Introduction to New Material
Total Time: 5 minutes
Introduce each weather instrument one by one with a visual or an actual instrument if available:
Thermometer for temperature.
Rain gauge for rainfall.
Barometer for atmospheric pressure.
Wind vane for wind direction.
Anemometer for wind speed.
Discuss the difference between 'weather' (day-to-day) and 'climate' (average over years).
Clarify common misconceptions: Weather can change quickly, while climate is more stable.
Guided Practice
Total Time: 5 minutes
In small groups, students will examine visual images or samples of weather instruments and discuss their functions.
Each group will then present their assigned instrument and its role in predicting weather.
The teacher will facilitate and add information as needed.
Independent Practice
Total Time: 3 minutes
Each student will create a mini-poster or digital slide that includes:
A drawing or image of their assigned weather instrument.
A few sentences explaining how it gathers data and contributes to weather forecasting.
Closing
Total Time: 2 minutes
Conduct a quick survey asking students to share one new thing they learned about weather instruments.
Review the difference between weather and climate with a few students commenting on examples.
Extension Activity
Total Time: 2 minutes
For those who finish early, challenge them to think of a prediction for tomorrow's weather based on what they learned about the instruments.
Homework
Total Time: 2 minutes
Assign students to track the daily weather by using a combination of these instruments or by checking a weather app and then summarize the week's weather and any patterns they notice.
Standards Aligned
Total Time: 1 minute
Georgia Science Standards S4E4: Understanding weather events and patterns using instruments and data.