Introduction
Hello, weather scientists!
We have very important work for you to do. You will be observing the weather for the next 2 weeks and recording it on a weather graph. At the end of the project, you will design your own digital weather graph using the data you collected just like this one!
During this project, you will learn how to identify different types of weather, collect data on different types of weather, and describe different types of weather by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.
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Standards (1st grade):
Georgia Standards of Excellence S1E1a - Represent data in tables and/or graphs to identify and describe different types of weather and the characteristics of each type.
Academic Knowledge and Skills Science 4a - Collect, analyze and interpret data in tables and/or graphs to identify and describe different types of weather and the characteristics of each type.
Learning Targets:
- I can identify different types of weather.
- I can describe different types of weather and the characteristics of each type.
- I can collect data on the different types of weather.
- I can analyze data in tables and/or graphs.
- I can interpret data in tables and/or graphs.
- I can describe different types of weather by collecting, analyzing and interpreting data.
Task
1. First, let's watch some videos that will teach us about different types of weather.
Introduction to Weather:
Types of Weather:
Be a Weather Watcher:
2. After watching these three videos, go to this website and play the educational weather game.
3. Think about the different weather types you've seen in your life. Make a list of each weather type you can think of. Write 2 sentences about what you know about each one.
Example: Snowy - Snowy weather usually happens in the winter time when it's very cold. Snow is white and falls from the clouds.
4. Watch the read aloud of the Dr. Seuss book Oh Say Can You Say What's the Weather Is Today?
5. Play the Cat in the Hat Weather Transformer game.
6. Print two copies of a weather chart.
Process
PART 1
1. You will go outside and check the weather every day at the same time for 14 days. You may want to check it in the morning before school or right after school. Record whether the weather was snowy, sunny, cloudy, or rainy in your weather chart on the correct day. After you have completed the first week's chart, label the dates and start on the 2nd week's weather chart. Label the dates on the 2nd week's weather chart once completed. For each type of weather you encounter, make notes on your observations.
For example, on a sunny day I might write that the air is warm outside and the sun is very bright in my eyes.
2. Once you have two full weeks of your weather charts filled out, add up how many total snowy days you had, how many sunny days you had, how many cloudy days you had, and how many rainy days you had. Write down the number of days in each category. When you add up all 4 numbers, it should total 14 (the number of days in 2 weeks).
For example, Snowy - 0, Sunny - 8, Cloudy - 3, Rainy - 3. 0 + 8 + 3 + 3 = 14.
PART 2
3. Go to the National Center for Education Statistics website to create a weather graph with the data you collected. You may need your teacher or parent's help to follow the directions.
4. Select "Bar Graph" from the list of options.
5. In the "Design" tab, keep the "vertical" and "rectangle" options selected. In the "Style" section, choose your own colors for the chart background color and grid colors. I would recommend that you not select a dark color for the chart background so that the numbers next to the grid lines are visible. After you select the colors you like, you may preview your chart at any time by selecting the "Preview" tab. For the "grid lines" option, select "11" in the drop down menu. You may choose any appearance (2d, 3d, or shadow) you would like for the bars. For "legend", choose the position right from the drop down menu.
6. In the "Data" tab, write "14 Day Weather Chart" for the graph title. Write "Weather" for the x axis label. Write "Number of Days" for the y axis label. In the "Data set" drop down menu, select 4. Label items 1-4 with "Snowy", "Sunny", "Cloudy", and "Rainy". Enter the number of days for each category that you wrote down in Step #2. You may choose your own bar color. Keep the "Min-Value" at 0 and enter 14 for the "Max-Value". You can preview your chart by selecting the "Preview" tab.
7. In the "Labels" tab, go to the "position" drop down menu and select an option you like. Increase the "font size" to 22. Choose a "Label Color" and "Background Color" that you like (but not the same color as the bar). Fonts don't seem to work, so don't bother with that option. At the bottom, increase the "Font Size" to 22 and choose a "Font Color" that you like.
8. In the "Preview" tab, make sure that your graph colors look the way you want them. Make sure all numbers and labels can be read. Double check to make sure that the bar graphs match the data you collected in your weather chart. For example, if you had 8 sunny days, make sure the bar over "Sunny" shows 8.
9. Once you are happy with your weather graph, go to the "Print/Save" tab. Copy my e-mail address and paste it into the e-mail box.
christopher_d_cote@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Hit "Send" and I will receive your weather graph in my e-mail. I will then print it out for you.
PART 3
10. Think about the data you collected on your weather graph. In your journal, answer the following questions:
- Which type of weather was most common?
- Which type of weather was least common?
- Why do you think that is?
- What season (Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter) is it?
- Did your graph have any "Snowy" days? Why or why not?
- Describe the characteristics of a Snowy day from your personal experience or the videos you watched (1-2 sentences).
- Describe the characteristics of a Sunny day from your personal experience (1-2 sentences).
- Describe the characteristics of a Cloudy day from your personal experience (1-2 sentences).
- Describe the characteristics of a Rainy day from your personal experience (1-2 sentences).
- What is your favorite type of weather? Why (2-3 sentences)?
Turn in your journal response to your teacher.
Evaluation
Project Evaluation Rubric
| Criteria | Excellent | Satisfactory | Needs Improvement |
| Complete the activities in the "Task" section. |
(20 points) I watched all the videos, played the games, listened to the read aloud, and wrote about the different weather types I've seen in my life. |
(15 points) I completed some of the activities in the "Task" section, but not all of them. |
(10 points) I did not complete any of the activities in the "Task" section. |
| Part 1 - Collect data in a weather chart for 14 days in a row at the same time each day. | (20 points) I collected data for all 14 days in a row at the same time each day. | (15 points) I missed 1-3 days of data or was not able to collect the data at the same time each day. | (10 points) I missed 4 or more days of data. |
| Part 2 - Complete a weather graph with the data collected in Part 1. | (30 points) The data in my weather graph matches the data I collected on my weather charts, I followed the formatting directions, and my weather graph has an easy-to-read color scheme. | (25 points) The data in my weather graph does not match the data I collected on my weather charts and/or I did not follow some of the formatting directions and/or the weather graph was hard to read due to the color scheme. | (20 points) I did not complete and turn in the weather graph and/or the weather graph is unfinished. |
| Part 3 - Answer questions about what you have learned. | (30 points) I answered all 10 questions with at least the minimum number of sentences required, wrote in complete sentences, and demonstrated good analysis of the data I collected. | (25 points) I answered most questions and/or did not meet the minimum number of sentences required and/or did not write in complete sentences and/or did not demonstrate good analysis of the data I collected. | (20 points) I put forth little to no effort to answer the questions and/or did not complete at least half the questions with the minimum sentence requirement. |
Total points possible = 100.
Conclusion
The class will meet in Circle Time to discuss the data that each student collected (including the time of day that the data was collected). Results from the weather graph will be analyzed (such as most frequently seen weather types and least frequently seen) and interpreted (why some weather types might be seen more frequently or not at all depending on the season). Differences between sets of data will be discussed and possible reasons why (data collection times). Each type of weather will be discussed as students add characteristics they encountered. Weather types that were not included in the weather chart/graph will also be discussed. Unstructured discussion regarding any weather topics (including severe and dangerous weather) can be discussed until Circle Time concludes.
Printed weather graphs will be displayed in the hallway/classroom for students to reflect on and enjoy.