Week 1: Weather All Around Us
Weekly Focus
Children develop awareness of weather in their daily lives, learn basic weather vocabulary, and begin making daily weather observations using their senses.
Week at a Glance
- Identify weather as a part of everyday life
- Learn basic weather vocabulary
- Use senses to observe and describe weather
- Create and use simple weather charts
Weekly Overview
Theme
Weather All Around Us
Focus Areas
- Weather awareness
- Weather vocabulary
- Observation skills
- Weather reporting
Key Vocabulary
Setting Up Your Weather Station
Daily Plans
Monday: What Is Weather?
Daily schedule and activities
Morning Activity
Morning Circle: Introduce the concept of weather and why it's important
Literacy Focus
Read 'Weather Words and What They Mean' by Gail Gibbons
Math Focus
Count and sort picture cards of different weather types
Afternoon Activity
Create a class 'What Is Weather?' chart with drawings and dictated statements
Materials Needed
- Weather Words book
- Picture cards of weather types
- Chart paper
- Art supplies
- Weather photographs
Assessment Notes
Observe students' prior knowledge about weather and their ability to identify different types of weather in pictures.
Featured Activities
Weather Sensory Bottles
Students create sensory bottles that represent different types of weather (blue with glitter for sunny, blue with cotton for cloudy, blue with sequins for rainy, etc.).
Duration
40 minutes
Materials
- Clear plastic bottles
- Water
- Food coloring
- Glitter
- Cotton balls
- Sequins
Learning Areas
Weather Sounds Match
Students listen to recordings of different weather sounds (rain, thunder, wind) and match them to the correct weather pictures.
Duration
25 minutes
Materials
- Weather sound recordings
- Weather picture cards
- Listening center
- Headphones
Learning Areas
Cloud Watching
Students observe clouds (either outside or through pictures) and use descriptive language to talk about what they see.
Duration
30 minutes
Materials
- Blue paper
- Cotton balls
- Glue
- Cloud pictures
- Observation sheets
Learning Areas
Weather Dress-Up Station
Students explore clothing appropriate for different weather conditions through a dramatic play weather station.
Duration
Ongoing center
Materials
- Weather symbols
- Various clothing items
- Accessories for different weather
- Mirror
Learning Areas
Outdoor Weather Learning
Resources
Books
- "Weather Words and What They Mean" by Gail Gibbons
- "Little Cloud" by Eric Carle
- "The Storm Book" by Charlotte Zolotow
- "Maisy's Wonderful Weather Book" by Lucy Cousins
- "When the Wind Blew" by Pat Hutchins
Printables
- Daily weather observation chart
- Weather picture cards
- Weather vocabulary cards
- Weather graphing templates
- Weather journal pages
Home Connection
Send home a family activity sheet that encourages parents/caregivers to talk about the weather each day with their child and help them notice how it affects their activities.