Topic: Graphing the weather and temperature each month

Grade Level: K - 3

Strategies:
Collecting data and recording data on a chart

Objectives:
Reading a thermometer
Observing and recording weather conditions
Evaluating information from a graph

Materials Required:
Thermometers
Student recording chart

Description of the Activity:
This is a month long activity. At the beginning of each month I distribute copies of the recording chart. The temperature graph reflects the record high and low temperatures of that month. The weather recording chart generally stays the same for each month. I like to use colored paper for the recording chart so the students can keep track of it more easily. Each day after lunch recess two students each take a thermometer outside to set in the shade. About 30 minutes later they go out and read the temperature and bring the thermometers inside. One of the students writes the temperature on the chalkboard while the other student records the temperature on our calendar. The class writes the date below the bar on the graph. Then they fill in the graph up to the appropriate temperature. On the other side of this paper we use a weather graph. Two other students write on our enlarged laminated weather graph. they put the date in the box next to the correct type of weather we are seeing that day. If December 10th is sunny and windy, the students would write a 10 beside sunny and a 10 beside windy. The class is also writing this information on their chart.

Reproduable Pages:
Weather chart and temperature graph

Extensions:
At the beginning of the month the students could predict how many days the weather would be sunny, rainy, cloudy, etc.
The students could predict the high and low temperature for the month.
At the end of the month the students could compare types of weather and the range of temperatures seen that month.

Management Tips:
I set the timer for 30 minutes just so we don't forget the thermometers outside.
Practice reading a thermometer before beginning this activity.
On my jobs chart I have two weather assignments and two temperature assignments each week.
I have a calendar page on the bulletin board for recording the temperature.
We only do school days.
I have an enlarged laminated weather chart (use washable pens) to have a reference for those who are absent.
I reuse this laminated weather graph each month during the school year.
The students keep the chart in their folder, but these could be collected each day.



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