Materials:

thermometers
barometer (make) – have picture of
instrument: rubber balloon, jar, rubber
Weather
bands, straw, tape, paper, markers
wind vane (make) - have picture of
instrument: heavy paper plates, tape,
Play Center
markers, pencils (with erasers),
construction paper, straws, straight
pins/push pins, ruler
green screen, computer with flip grid,
play microphone, warm/cold front Purpose: The purpose of this play center is to allow students to
explore the science content about weather that they have already
symbols (to tape to green screen)
covered in class through play. It will help them to solidify the
(Literacy Props) print or write sign that concepts and retain what they have learned because they will
says “make a wind vane,” “make a experiment with weather through the play center first-hand.
barometer,” “thermometer: see how the Another major purpose of these play centers is for the students to
temperature changes in the fridge verses play and have fun learning with each other.

the room,” and “be a meteorologist
Standards: S4E4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to predict weather events and infer weather
patterns using weather charts/maps and collected weather data. a. Construct an explanation of how weather
instruments (thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, wind vane, and anemometer) are used in gathering weather
data and making forecasts. b. Interpret data from weather maps, including fronts (warm, cold, and stationary),
temperature, pressure, and precipitation to make an informed prediction about tomorrow ’ s weather.

HOW TO CREATE THE WEATHER PLAY CENTER:

STEP 1 - GATHER MATERIALS AS LISTED ABOVE

STEP 2 - SET UP THE WIND VANE STATION BY LAYING OUT ALL THE MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE THE WIND VANE ON A TABLE AND HAVE THE PICTURE OF THE WIND
VANE LAID OUT FOR THE STUDENTS TO REFER TO.

STEP 3 - DO THE SAME WITH THE MATERIALS AND PICTURE FOR THE BAROMETER ON THE TABLE.

STEP 4 - ARRANGE THE SUPPLIES IN AN AESTHETIC AND INVITING MANNER THAT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE STUDENTS AND ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE SPACE TO WORK
AND BUILD THEIR INSTRUMENTS.

STEP 5 - HAVE FIVE OR SIX THERMOMETERS OUT ON A TABLE FOR STUDENTS TO USE IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

STEP 6 - PLACE THE PRINTED ‘INSTRUCTIONS’ NEXT TO THEM FOR A LITTLE BIT OF GUIDANCE.

STEP 7 - . FOR THE “BE A METEOROLOGIST” STATION, SET UP A GREEN SCREEN ON A WALL AND HAVE A MICROPHONE AND COMPUTER WITH THE PROPS LISTED ABOVE
AVAILABLE FOR THE STUDENTS TO USE IF THEY CHOOSE AS THEY PLAY. THERMOMETERS CAN ALSO BE USED AS A PROP IN THE METEOROLOGIST STATION.

DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS:

Social Emotional Physical

This center will allow the
students to be able to
communicate with each other in
a culturally relevant and socially
appropriate manner as they are
observing and experimenting with
weather instruments. They will
think for themselves and share
ideas with each other and
converse with others in a way
that they understand what each
other is thinking. Students will
also work on building friendships
while playing. They will work
within the guidelines to
accomplish the set expectations
of the center.
This center stimulates fun and free
play that will build the confidence of
individuals so that they will want to
move on to learning and playing with
more advanced ideas and be excited
about it. Students will have to
manage their emotions such as
excitement, anger, frustration, and
distress as they work through the
centers themselves. They will be able
to use the opportunity to practice
self-regulation and self-control as
they share all the materials. The
students as well as the teacher will
be able to build each other up as
they work together in the centers.
After working and playing in the
center, students may show pride in
their accomplishments as well as
disappointment in their work.
Fine motor skills will develop as
they use the smaller muscles in
their hands and fingers
because the students will be
using their fingers to make
instruments and build with
their hands using the materials
provided. Movements such as
fastening, taping, spraying,
pouring, inserting, etc. are
included in the building portion
of the centers. The body also
benefits because of endorphins
being released as a result of
the fun and laughter that may
be brought about by the play
centers. This aids in the
body ’ s growth.

Cognitive
The various activities at each station within the play center will develop the students ability to obtain, evaluate, and
communicate to others the information that they have learned. The students will use this information to help them in the
centers as they use trial and error as well as given instructions through literacy props as they play and experiment. This
also gives the students the opportunity to develop their own dispositions. These activities will further develop their problem
solving and decision-making skills. Their minds will develop as they think on their feet and express their creativity while
pretending to be a meteorologist. Their language and reasoning will develop as they record themselves reporting the weather.