Week 1: Is the Weather Important?
Weekly Focus
Children explore weather as part of their daily lives, learn basic weather vocabulary, and begin understanding how weather affects people, plants, and animals around them.
Week at a Glance
Daily themes for Week 1
- MondayWhat is Weather?
- TuesdayWeather Walk & Observation
- WednesdayWeather Patterns & Pictures
- ThursdayWeather Games & Activities
- FridayWeather Art & Reflection
Teacher Tip
Learning Objectives
- Understand that weather makes a difference to people, plants and animals
- Identify basic weather types (sunny, rainy, cloudy, windy)
- Use senses to observe and describe weather conditions
- Practice counting and number recognition 1-10
- Develop weather-related vocabulary
- Create simple weather patterns and observations
Key Vocabulary
Materials Needed
- Weather symbol pictures and cards
- Chart paper and markers
- Art supplies (crayons, paint, paper)
- Weather observation sheets
- Umbrellas, sunglasses, weather props
- Cotton balls, blue paper (for crafts)
- Camera for documentation
- Weather-themed books
Daily Plans
Monday: What is Weather?
Focus Question
Is the weather important to me and my family?
Suggested Books
- "Weather Words and What They Mean" by Gail Gibbons
- "What Will the Weather Be Like Today?" by Paul Rogers
- "The Weather Book" by Diana Craig
Morning Circle
Introduce the weather unit by showing large pictures of weather symbols (sun, rain, wind, clouds). Ask children to name each one and look outside to identify today's weather. Discuss the essential question: "Is the weather important?"
Teacher Tip: Encourage children to use their senses - what do they see, hear, and feel when they think about different types of weather?
Weather Stations Activity
Set up four weather stations (Sun, Rain, Clouds, Wind) with props and materials. Children rotate through stations to explore weather through hands-on activities. Sun station has sunglasses and visors, Rain station has umbrellas and boots, etc.
Math Activity
Count and sort weather picture cards. Create a simple graph showing different weather types. Practice counting from 1-10 using weather symbols and discuss which weather type has the most/least cards.
Extension: Use weather manipulatives to create patterns - sunny, rainy, sunny, rainy. Ask children to continue the pattern.
Art Activity
Exit Ticket: Children draw one way weather is important to them and their family. Help them write a simple sentence about their picture. Encourage sharing with partners.
Closing Circle
Share weather drawings and discuss favorite weather stations. Ask children which weather type was their favorite and why. Begin establishing daily weather observation routine.
Reflection Questions:
- What did you learn about weather today?
- How does weather affect what you do each day?
- What weather do you like best and why?
Featured Activities
Weather Stations Exploration
Children rotate through four weather stations (Sun, Rain, Clouds, Wind) with hands-on props and materials to explore different weather conditions through sensory experiences.
Materials:
Sunglasses, umbrellas, cotton balls, fans, weather props, station signs
Weather Walk Investigation
Outdoor exploration where children use clipboards and observation sheets to record what they see, hear, feel, and smell about today's weather conditions.
Materials:
Clipboards, observation sheets, pencils, weather chart
Weather Shape Art
Creative activity where children use pre-cut shapes to create weather scenes while learning shape names, colors, and counting skills through weather-themed art.
Materials:
Pre-cut shapes, glue, construction paper, crayons, weather examples
Daily Weather Tracking
Ongoing data collection activity where children observe and record daily weather patterns, building graphing skills and weather vocabulary throughout the week.
Materials:
Weather chart, weather symbols, crayons, observation sheets
Resources
Books
- "Weather Words and What They Mean" by Gail Gibbons
- "What Will the Weather Be Like Today?" by Paul Rogers
- "Little Cloud" by Eric Carle
- "Listen to the Rain" by Bill Martin Jr.
- "When the Wind Blew" by Pat Hutchins
Printables
- Daily weather observation charts
- Weather symbol cards and pictures
- Weather walk observation sheets
- Weather vocabulary cards
- Weather graphing templates
Home Connection
- Family weather observation activities
- Weather vocabulary practice cards
- Weather clothing sorting game
- Weekly weather tracking sheet
- Weather song lyrics and activities