Elementary Weather Lesson Plan
Teach Primary Students About Weather Fronts, Air Pressure, Humidity
Sep 25, 2009
Teaching primary students about weather will be a lesson plan that all kids enjoy. Using an easy to understand elementary weather lesson plan and classroom weather activities, students will learn about how meteorologists predict the weather. Learning about warm and cold weather fronts, air pressure, and humidity can be an integral part of a required weather thematic unit or simply a hands-on adventure in science.
What is a Meteorologist and How to Forecast Weather?
An elementary weather lesson plan can start off with a discussion about what a meteorologist is. Perhaps a parent of a student in the class is a meteorologist and can be invited to talk to the students, or students can be allowed to watch a weather report on TV as a first classroom weather activity. Then the weather lesson plan can include a discussion of meteorology in simple terms.
Weather Lesson Plan Discussion
Meteorologists are scientists who predict the weather. They will predict if it will be hot or cold, rainy or sunny, windy or calm. It is a fun job, but not an easy one. Teachers can talk about and demonstrate the different factors that affect the weather, such as:
- Air Movement and Fronts. By looking at the air movement in the atmosphere, meteorologists can try to forecast when a storm is coming. Illustrate what a cold front is by using a small fan. Explain how a cold air front will push out old air. A warm front can be illustrated by using a hair dryer. Old, colder air is pushed away by the warmer air.
- Temperature. By measuring temperature, they can tell if the storm will bring rain or snow. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature inside the classroom and if possible, outside. Show children how to read and record temperature on a thermometer.
- Air Pressure. Meteorologists measure air pressure also, to determine weather. If the air pressure is low, clouds may form. If it is high, the sky will most likely remain clear. Talk about air pressure with the kids by illustrating the pressure in a balloon or beach ball.
Weather Instruments Used to Measure Temperature, Pressure, Humidity, and Wind
Meteorologists use various instruments to help forecast the weather. If possible, teachers can obtain each of these weather instruments and the kids can learn about how they work :
- Thermometer measures temperature. Place a thermometer in the classroom and measure the temperature.
- Anemometer measures wind speed. Place an anemometer near a fan and measure the wind speed.
- Weathervane measures wind direction. Check out how a weathervane spins when wind comes at it from different places.
- Hygrometer measures water in the air, humidity. Measure the humidity of the classroom or outdoors.
- Barometer measures air pressure. Use a barometer to measure the air pressure inside the class, or outside on the playground.
Classroom Weather Activities
Meteorologists measure weather all over the world by receiving air pressure, humidity, and temperature data from satellites, weather airplanes, buoys at sea, weather stations, and even weather balloons. But, even all of these methods may not be enough for meteorologists to accurately predict the weather everywhere. A great weather activity for the elementary classroom can be to set up a mini weather station at the school.
At CoCoRaHS, children can sign up to help local meteorologists measure precipitation and rainfall in their area. The volunteer group known as Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow set up this grassroots project for backyard weather enthusiasts of all ages in the U.S. It has really taken hold across the nation. Those who register with CoCoRaHS online will receive a rain kit and even a great training program.
Teachers can actively engage their primary grade students in an elementary weather lesson plan that is both fun and exciting. Young children learn best with hands-on classroom weather activities. Teaching kids about weather using real instruments such as thermometers, barometers, and hygrometers will peak their early interest in science and their curiosity in the natural world around them.
Try pairing a meteorology lesson with a water cycle lesson plan for a thematic elementary grade science unit.
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