#4097. What's the Weather?

Science, level: Elementary
Posted Mon Jan 28 10:32:23 PST 2008 by Lindsey Hiott ().
Ambler Elementary , Pickens, SC
Materials Required: pencils, coputers with internet access, paper, science textbooks, graphic organizer, pro-board, etc
Concepts Taught: Weather/Technology

Title of Lesson: What's the Weather?
Teacher: Lindsey G. Hiott
Grade: 4th grade
Objectives:
• The students will analyze severe weather patterns and conduct research on severe weather phenomena.
• Students will conduct this research using computers and create a Power Point presentation summarizing the research.
Standards:
• 4-1.2: Use appropriate instruments and tools (including a compass, an anemometer, mirrors, and a prism) safely and accurately when conducting simple investigations.
• 4-1.7: Use appropriate safety procedures when conducting investigations.
• 4-4.4: Summarize the conditions and effects of severe weather phenomena (including thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes) and related safety concerns.

Materials:
• Pencils
• Paper
• Science textbooks
• Computers with internet connection
• Teacher-made graphic organizer
• Promethean Board
• Teacher-made self-evaluations
• Flash drive
Time for Lesson: Approximately four 45 minute class periods
Procedures:
Day 1: 1. Introduce severe weather phenomena.
• Using the science textbook, discuss the various types of severe weather.
• Use teacher-made Promethean "Severe Weather" flipchart to explore each phenomena
o Flipchart explains important facts about thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and tsunamis.
2. Distribute the rubric for the project that details the expectation for students.
• Go through the expectations with students.
3. Assign students to groups of 4 or 5, and assign each group a type of severe weather to investigate.
4. Have students brainstorm for approximately 5 minutes about the project, and have them assign each member a job to complete.
Day 2: 1. Distribute a bubble map to each group to organize ideas.
2. Take students to computer lab for research.
• Use DISCUS or another secure site for the research
3. Have students use the bubble map to outline the main ideas of their topic.
4. Check each group's work to ensure that it is complete.

Day 3: 1. Go over Power Point and show examples of other presentations to students.
• Explain expectations:
o Students must have at least 4 slides -- introductory page, at least 2 detail pages with illustrations, and a conclusion page
2. Take students to computer lab to make Power Point presentations.
• Monitor and assist student in this process.
3. When students are finished, save all presentations on a flash drive.
4. Have students practice their presentations and assign speaking roles.
Day 4: 1. Presentation Day
• Allow each group to present their presentation to the class using the Promethean Board.
• Encourage students to ask questions and take notes during the presentations.
2. After all presentations are completed, have students fill out a self-evaluation of their group's efforts.
Closure:
• Students will discuss and summarize what they have learned about severe weather.
Assessment:
• The students will be assessed according to the teacher-made rubric for the project for organization, accuracy, and details.
• The students will also be assessed for their ability to work in a group using the self-evaluations.