• To use instruments to record and predict the weather
• To graph and compare weekly, monthly, and seasonal weather observations

Grade level:

Grade 4

Materials checklist:

• One or multiple computers; printer
• Software: integrated software package (spreadsheet, database, word processor), graphing, teacher-prepared templates, desktop publishing (optional)
• Indoor/outdoor thermometers; barometer; hydrometer

Time required:

• 10 minutes per day throughout the year to record data
• 30 minutes per week to make and discuss graphs
• 1 class period per month to make and discuss monthly average and total graphs

Activities and procedures:

Have the students keep daily records of temperature, air pressure, humidity, cloud types, cloud cover, wind, and precipitation, enter the data into the teacher-developed spreadsheet template, and make bar graphs weekly.

At the end of each month, have the students transfer the averages and totals from the spreadsheet to a weather summary database, make graphs, and compare the weather across different months and seasons.

Divide the students into six groups and assign each group a different project:

1. question-and-answer data file;
2. a flashcard set;
3. coloring book using the desktop publishing software;
4. crossword puzzle;
5. set of word search and spelling practice exercises; and
6. a survey of weather instruments students have at home.