Unit Plan 25 (Grade K Science): Weather Forecasts & Safety

Focus: Ask questions about weather forecasting and how forecasts help people prepare for and respond to severe weather using simple maps, symbols, and classroom safety routines.

Grade Level: K

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

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

I. Introduction

In this unit, students learn that a weather forecast is information that helps people know what weather may happen soon. Students practice asking questions (Who? What? When? Where?) about forecasts and interpret kid-friendly forecast symbols (sun, clouds, rain, wind, lightning). They connect forecasts to safety: what we do before severe weather (prepare), during severe weather (respond), and after severe weather (stay safe). The unit ends with a class-created Weather Safety Plan and short “forecast talks” where students explain a forecast and one safety action.

Essential Questions

• What is a weather forecast, and why do people use it?
• How can a forecast help us prepare for and respond to severe weather?
• What questions can we ask to understand a forecast better?
• What safety actions help keep people safe during storms?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Describe what a weather forecast is and name at least two reasons people use forecasts.
2. Ask and answer simple questions about a forecast (e.g., What will happen? When? How should we prepare?).
3. Identify examples of severe weather (thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong wind, tornado warnings, winter storms—use local examples).
4. Match a severe weather forecast to a safe response action (e.g., go inside, move away from windows, follow adult directions).
5. Create a class Weather Safety Plan and explain one safety step using forecast information.

Standards Alignment — Kindergarten (NGSS-Aligned)

• K-ESS3-2 — Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.
  • Example: Ask, “What does this symbol mean?” “When will the storm start?” “What should we do to stay safe?”

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain what a forecast is.
• I can ask questions about a forecast (What? When? Where?).
• I can name a kind of severe weather and tell why it can be dangerous.
• I can tell one way to prepare and one way to stay safe during severe weather.
• I can help make a class Weather Safety Plan.