Unit Plan 19 (Grade K Science): Weather Observations

Focus: Observe and record daily weather features (sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy) and describe patterns over time using simple data tools.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: Science (Earth & Space Science • Inquiry/Skills)

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

I. Introduction

Students become kindergarten meteorologists by making careful weather observations each day and recording what they see. They track sky conditions, precipitation, wind, and (optionally) temperature using pictures, tallies, and simple class graphs. By the end of the week, students use their records to describe patterns (what happens often, sometimes, or rarely) and share a short weather report with evidence from their data.

Essential Questions

• How can we use our senses and simple tools to observe and describe today’s weather?
• What patterns can we find when we record weather every day?
• How does sharing weather observations help people make choices (clothing, play, safety)?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Make daily weather observations (sky, precipitation, wind) using words and pictures.
2. Record observations on a class chart using symbols, tallies, or simple labels.
3. Create and read a simple picture graph or class chart to describe weather patterns over time.
4. Use evidence from the class data to answer a question (e.g., “Which weather happened most this week?”).
5. Give a short “Weather Report” that includes an observation and a pattern supported by the class chart.

Standards Alignment — Kindergarten (NGSS-Aligned)

• K-ESS2-1 — Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
  • Example: Record daily weather on a chart and explain what weather happened most often across the week.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can look carefully at the sky and say what the weather is like.
• I can record the weather using pictures or marks on our class chart.
• I can use our chart to tell what weather happened most and least this week.
• I can share a weather report and use the chart as evidence.