Instructional

Software
Lesson Idea Name: Weather Investigators
Content Area: Science- Weather
Grade Level(s): 1st Grade

Content Standard Addressed: S1E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate weather data to identify
weather patterns.
b. Ask questions to identify forms of precipitation such as rain, snow, sleet, and hailstones as either
solid (ice) or liquid (water).
c. Plan and carry out investigations on current weather conditions by observing, measuring with
simple weather instruments (thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge), and recording weather data
(temperature, precipitation, sky conditions, and weather events) in a periodic journal, on a calendar,
and graphically.


Technology Standard Addressed:
1. Empowered Learner; Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and
demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.
c. use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practive and to emonstrate
their learning in a variety of ways.
3. Knowledge Constructor: Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct
knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.
d. Build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and
pursing answers and solutions.
Selected Technology Tool: BrainPOP

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

Type of Instructional Software:

Drill and Practice Tutorial Simulation Instructional Game e-books/e-references

Features of this software (check all that apply):

Assessment Monitoring/Reporting
Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students
Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in the class
Multi-user or collaborative with others outside the class
Accessible to students beyond the school day
Accessible via mobile devices
Multiple languages
Safety, security and/or privacy features

Blooms Taxonomy Level(s):

Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

Level 1: Awareness Level 2: Exploration Level 3: Infusion Level 4: Integration

Summer 2017_SJB
 Instructional Software
Level 5: Expansion Level 6: Refinement

Lesson idea implementation:
In this lesson, my students will become meteorologists and analyze the weather. They will use certain
tools that will help them measure the temperature, detect wind direction and strength, and chances of
precipitation (rain). They will work in groups of 4 assigned by the teacher. Each student will have a
responsibility and each day they will switch responsibilities. This will be a week-long lesson. At the end of the
week the students will gather their findings on the computer and post it to the schools blog. They will have
the option to make a video of their results to send to the local meteorologists.
We will begin by watching a video from BrainPOP about weather. I will answer any questions and show
them pictures of different weather conditions; snow, rain, ice, sleet, windy weather (blowing trees). I will ask
what their experiences are with these types of weather. I will then tell them they are going to be investigating
the weather this week and become meteorologists. They will use a rain gauge, wind vane, and a thermometer
to retrieve information about the weather outside and then plot their results on a computer. I will have each
group plug in the information to a worksheet online that separates each day so they can fill in their groups
information. Each student will also write a reflection during this process.
The types of differentiated learning that will happen will be first, a video to briefly explain what weather is
and different types of weather that occurs. They can also watch the video in different languages if needed.
When they are in groups they will be assigned based on learning levels by the teacher and the groups will
help with scaffolding as each student will have a different strength. Also, the hands-on tools provided will be
beneficial in the students learning. For those that like being on computers, they will plug in their information
so the whole class can see the results everyone had. Also, they will be making a bar graph of the temperature
change (using a computer tool with the help of a teacher). They will take pictures and post them online also.
They will be graded on accuracy, completion and quality of their group work and individual work. 1) a brief
reflection of their daily experiences throughout the group project, 2) (group) a bar graph of temperature
changes, 3) recordings of the wind directions and strength, 4) a description of outside each day, 5)
observation of rain gauge results. To conclude this lesson, I will ask the class a few questions: How were your
findings different each day?, How did the tools help you get your results?, Why is it important to know
about the weather?. Using these questions, I will encourage my class to continue when they are at home of
observing the weather using different tools that they have home to determine the temperature, wind, and
rain chances. I will ask them what tools could they use to help them?.

Summer 2017_SJB