Topic: Day 5 – Weather Forecasting Data Table

Subject: 5th Grade Science

Materials:
Thermometer
Barometer
Wind Vane
Anemometer
Weather Tool Flash Cards
Elastic Headbands (Optional)
Weather Forecasting Data Table

Essential Question:
What weather tools do meteorologists use to predict weather and how is each tool used in
predicting upcoming weather events?

Standards Addressed:
5.E.1.1 Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions (including wind speed
and direction, precipitation, and temperature) and patterns.

5.E.1.2 Predict upcoming weather events from weather data collected through observation
and measurements.

Learning Targets:
Using weather data collected using a variety of weather tools, I can predict upcoming
weather events.

Content Strategies and Activities

Engage If you haven’t already, introduce the last two weather tools used to
(10 min.) predict upcoming weather events.
 Rain Gauge – Measures amount of rainfall.
 Hygrometer – Measures Air Humidity.

Review with students the six weather instruments meteorologists use

and how they are used. Discuss why meteorologists needs these weather
instruments to predict upcoming weather events.

Explore Using the weather tool flashcards, have students in partners or groups of
(15 min.) three play the game “Headbands.” You may opt out of having students
use elastic headbands. They can instead hold the flashcard up to their
forehead. Each student, without looking, will randomly choose a flash
card to bring to their forehead. They must then describe the tool to their
opponent until they guess the weather tool correctly.
Explain Explain that meteorologists collect weather data daily to make
(5 min.) forecasts. With the aid of high altitude weather balloons, weather
equipment, gauges, satellites, and computers, accurate daily forecasts
can be made. Since air travels from one location to another, it is helpful
to know what the approaching weather will be.

Tell the students that for the next two weeks they will be using these
instruments to see what the current weather conditions are. They will
then record them on a sheet that will be given to them. They will be
doing this two or three times a year to compare one season to another.
They will also be making predictions of what weather will occur the
next day and compare it to a professional forecast. The next day they
will see how close they were to their prediction.

Elaborate 1. Pass out the Weather Forecasting Data Table.

(15 min.) 2. Discuss where the instruments are going to be placed or taken
outside to be read.
3. Decide the time of the day that will be observed for data
collection.
4. Each day when it is time for the instruments to be read, send out
a few students to read them. Each time the instruments need to be
read, send out a new group of students to do it. Over time all
students should have the opportunity to measure with all the
instruments.
5. When the students bring the information back to the classroom,
have a chart available for them to write on.
6. Designate a time to discuss each of the readings.
7. Make a prediction as to what the weather is going to be like
tomorrow with the present day’s data.
8. Compare the information with a local weather station’s data.
9. Write in the space if the prediction you made yesterday is
accurate with today’s weather.

Evaluate Have students record the weather each day of the week at the same time
(5 min.) each day in their science notebooks. Discuss the observations daily.
Check their science notebooks and Weather Forecasting Data Table for
accuracy.