Unit Plan 20 (Grade 3 Science): Seasonal Weather Patterns
Graph daily and seasonal weather data to identify patterns—helping students describe typical temperature, precipitation, and sky conditions using clear visual evidence.
Focus: Graph patterns in daily and seasonal weather conditions using class weather data.
Grade Level: 3
Subject Area: Science (Earth & Space Science)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students deepen their understanding of weather and seasons by collecting, organizing, and graphing real classroom weather data. They look for patterns over days and seasons, using tables and simple graphs to describe “typical” weather conditions. By the end of the week, students can interpret and explain weather graphs using clear, student-friendly language.
Essential Questions
- How can we use data tables and graphs to describe what weather is “usually like” in a season?
- What patterns do we notice when we track weather (temperature, precipitation, wind, sky conditions) over time?
- How do scientists and meteorologists use weather data to talk about typical weather conditions in a place?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Collect and record daily weather data (temperature, precipitation type, sky conditions, wind) using a class table.
- Organize weather data into seasonal data tables and simple bar or line graphs.
- Describe typical weather conditions for a given season using evidence from tables and graphs.
- Compare graphs from different weeks or seasons and explain similarities and differences in weather patterns.
- Create a Seasonal Weather Poster that includes at least one graph and written explanation of patterns.
Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NGSS-Aligned)
- 3-ESS2-1 — Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.
- Example: Make a simple bar graph of sunny, cloudy, and rainy days in a month and describe which type of weather was most common.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can record daily weather data in a class table accurately.
- I can make a graph (bar or line) that shows our weather data clearly.
- I can use my graph to tell what weather is typical in a season (for example, “It is often cold and cloudy in winter”).
- I can compare two graphs and explain what is similar and different about the weather patterns.
- I can create a Seasonal Weather Poster with at least one graph and a written explanation of the patterns I see.