Unit Plan 27 (Grade K Science): Weather & Earth Systems — Quarter Synthesis

Focus: Describe weather patterns, seasonal changes, and environmental interactions by using observations, simple models, and student-friendly explanations of how living things (including humans) affect Earth systems.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: Science (Earth & Space Science • Life Science Connections • Engineering/Communication)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This quarter-synthesis unit helps students bring together what they know about weather patterns over time and how plants, animals, and humans interact with the environment. Students revisit daily weather observations (sunny/cloudy/rainy/windy) and look for patterns across days and seasons. They also build and explain simple models showing that living things change their surroundings to meet needs (nests, burrows, gardens, playgrounds) and that habitats match needs (food, water, shelter, space). The week ends with a “Weather & Earth Systems Showcase” where students share a weather-pattern display, a needs-and-habitat model, and a solution idea that reduces human impact or improves weather safety.

Essential Questions

• What patterns do we notice in our local weather over time and across seasons?
• How do plants and animals (and humans) change the environment to meet their needs?
• How do weather forecasts help people prepare and stay safe?
• What can we do to reduce human impact on land, water, air, and living things?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Use and share daily observations to describe weather patterns over time (temperature feel, wind, precipitation, sky conditions) (K-ESS2-1).
2. Identify and explain (with pictures or simple sentences) how plants and animals change the environment to meet needs (K-ESS2-2).
3. Build a simple model showing how an organism’s needs connect to the place it lives (K-ESS3-1).
4. Ask and answer questions about the purpose of weather forecasting for preparing for severe weather (K-ESS3-2).
5. Communicate at least one solution that can reduce the impact of humans on the local environment (K-ESS3-3).

Standards Alignment — Grade K (NGSS-Aligned)

• K-ESS2-1 — Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
• K-ESS2-2 — Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs.
• K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
• K-ESS3-2 — Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.
• K-ESS3-3 — Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can tell what the weather is like today and describe a pattern I notice over time.
• I can explain how a plant or animal changes its environment to help it get what it needs.
• I can build a model that shows what an organism needs and where it lives.
• I can explain how a weather forecast helps people get ready and stay safe.
• I can share one idea that helps protect the environment from human impact.