Kindergarten: Weather Unit
A 5-week exploration of weather and its impacts on our world
Unit Overview
This Weather unit introduces kindergarten students to the basics of weather, weather patterns, and how weather affects our daily lives. Through hands-on activities, observations, and explorations, students will develop an understanding of different types of weather, the four seasons, and basic concepts of the water cycle.
The unit integrates science, language arts, mathematics, art, and social-emotional learning while building critical thinking skills and curiosity about the natural world.
Essential Questions
- What is weather and how can we observe it?
- How do different types of weather look, feel, and sound?
- How does weather change throughout the seasons?
- How does weather affect what we do and wear?
- How can we predict and prepare for different weather?
Unit Description
The Weather unit is designed to engage kindergarten students in observing, describing, and predicting weather. Through a variety of hands-on activities, children will explore different types of weather, how weather changes across seasons, and how it affects our daily lives and the world around us.
Unit Structure
This unit is organized into five thematic weeks:
Week 1
Weather All Around Us
Introduction to weather observation and vocabulary
Week 2
Types of Weather
Exploring different weather conditions
Week 3
Weather and Seasons
How weather changes across the four seasons
Week 4
Weather and Our Lives
How weather affects what we do, wear, and feel
Week 5
Weather Watchers
Observing, measuring, and predicting weather
Each week includes daily lesson plans, featured activities, recommended children's literature, and cross-curricular connections to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
Weekly Overview
Week 1: Weather All Around Us
Introduction to weather concepts and observations
Students begin their weather exploration by learning basic weather vocabulary, making daily observations, and understanding why weather is important.
Week 2: Types of Weather
Exploring different weather conditions
Students explore different types of weather including sunny, rainy, cloudy, windy, and snowy days through hands-on activities and experiments.
Week 3: Weather and Seasons
How weather changes throughout the year
Students learn about the four seasons and how weather patterns change throughout the year, exploring seasonal activities and clothing.
Week 4: Weather and Our Lives
How weather affects activities and clothing
Students discover how weather impacts our daily choices, including clothing, activities, and feelings, making real-world connections.
Week 5: Weather Watchers
Observing, measuring, and predicting weather
Students learn to observe weather patterns, use simple weather tools, and make predictions about tomorrow's weather.
Teaching Tips
- Create a weather station: Designate an area in your classroom for daily weather observations and recordings.
- Weather helpers: Assign daily "meteorologists" who help observe and report the weather to the class.
- Movement breaks: Incorporate weather-themed movements (falling like raindrops, blowing like wind) for transitions.
- Connect to literature: Use a variety of weather-themed books to reinforce concepts across the curriculum.
- Family connections: Send home weather observation activities for families to do together.
Resource Library
Books for Weather Unit
- "Weather Words and What They Mean" by Gail Gibbons
- "The Cloud Book" by Tomie dePaola
- "Rain" by Robert Kalan
- "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats
- "One Windy Wednesday" by Phyllis Root