First graders learn how to read a thermometer.
We have begun a new unit on weather. The students from all grade levels come into class and excitedly ask, “what are we doin’ today?” We have been brain-storming (pun intended) to discover what we already know and what we want to find out. As always, the science curriculum follows the California standards for grade level competencies and the TCPS curriculum goals.
Below are overviews of how the material will be covered by grade level. If you have any questions, please contact me.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders:
For early elementary students, the focus is on observing the sky and noticing the weather. Weather measuring devices such as thermometers, barometers, and wind vanes will be used to obtain data about the weather. For these instruments, we will make simple ones in class from common, household materials. Constructing the instruments helps the students understand the processes being measured. Once they understand the concept, we will also use commercial instruments to make accurate readings and record our data. The water cycle and clouds will complete our unit.
Fourth grade students watch the liquid level in thermometer they made rise in hot water.
4th and 5th graders:
We will review and extend the material for early elementary. We will make some of the weather instruments. Additional material will include air pressure, the role of the sun in creating weather, convection currents, storm formation and severe weather. We will also learn how to read weather maps.
Current Events: Students in 4th and 5th grades have done a great job of reading and writing about current events. In order to better teach the process of reading and writing about science, I selected the first articles so we were literally all on the same page. We discussed each one in class and I modeled note-taking. We discussed what a summary is and the students wrote one in class. The analysis (thinking about it) was challenging for many of the students. Where this has evolved to is the students are to imagine they get to meet the scientists who did the work. What would they say to them? What questions do they have? If they could work with the scientists for a week, what experiments would they like to do?
Now that the students have learned the format, they are ready to select their own articles. Students may receive assistance in reading and understanding more challenging material. Dates for articles will be assigned in class. I’m looking forward to having the students teach me and the rest of the class about the new discoveries in science they read about. For more information, click Weather Current Event.
Middle school students determine what heats and cools faster, water or sand.
Middle School Students:
We will cover the atmosphere, weather, climate, and climate change. This includes a lot of vocabulary and concepts that will be addressed through reading of the text. We will also do laboratory experiments every week. The overall emphasis at this level will be on understanding cause and effect relationships of the complex system of air surrounding the earth.
World Weather: The weather in San Diego is fairly consistent compared to most other places. Therefore, we will be tracking weather around the world. All homerooms have selected pen pals from Australia to Uganda. To enhance our understanding of these diverse places, middle school students will track the weather in each location and report weekly. (Be sure to check out the World Weather Board in the science room.) This information will be part of the students’ weather journals. Students will also collect articles about weather incidents to include in their journals along with reflections about all they are learning.
Student Selected Experiments: In the petrology unit, middle school students selected methods for growing crystals and brought them to class. I procured the materials and the students worked in groups to complete the experiments. Students enjoyed the process of trying things out even though some procedures did not work very well. This time, students will find simple weather instruments or experiments they would like to try. I will obtain the necessary materials (I’m on a first name basis with the staff at my local Home Depot) and we will have a few lab days devoted to completing as many as possible. Look for photos in future postings.
Some great weather today!