Grade 3

Unit Plan: Weather Science Adventures

Unit Overview

This unit will explore various aspects of weather, including temperature, the water cycle, and wind direction. Students will engage in hands-on activities and experiments to understand how weather affects our daily lives and the environment.

Standards Alignment

This unit aligns with the following NYS P-12 Science Learning Standards for third grade:

• 3-ESS2-1: Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season1.

• 3-ESS2-2: Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world1.

• 3-PS2-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object1.

• 3-PS2-2: Make observations and/or measurements of an object’s motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion1.

Unit Objectives

• Understand the concept of temperature and how it varies in different locations.

• Explore the water cycle and its stages: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

• Learn about wind direction and how to measure it using a wind vane.

• Record and analyze weather data to identify patterns and make predictions.

Lesson 1: Temperature Detective Work

Objective: Measure and analyze local temperature variations. Activities:

• Introduction to temperature and thermometers.

• Conduct an experiment measuring temperatures in different places around the school (sunny spots, shady spots, near buildings).

• Record temperature data and discuss why some places are warmer than others. Materials: Thermometers, data recording sheets. Assessment: Students will create a graph displaying temperature variations and explain their findings.

Lesson 2: The Amazing Water Cycle

Objective: Observe the stages of the water cycle. Activities:

• Introduction to the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation).

• Create a mini water cycle model using a clear plastic bag, water, and a sunny window.

• Observe changes over several days and record observations. Materials: Clear plastic bags, water, sunny window. Assessment: Students will write a summary of their observations and explain the water cycle stages.

Lesson 3: Wind Direction Fun

Objective: Measure wind direction using a wind vane. Activities:

• Introduction to wind direction and the importance of wind vanes.

• Create a simple wind vane using straws, paper arrows, pins, and paper cups.

• Measure wind direction over several days and record data. Materials: Straws, paper arrows, pins, paper cups. Assessment: Students will create a weather watch journal to track wind direction and other weather conditions.

Lesson 4: Weather Watch Journal

Objective: Keep track of daily weather conditions. Activities:

• Introduction to weather journaling.

• Record daily temperatures, sunny or cloudy skies, wind direction, and any special weather events.

• Analyze data to identify patterns and make predictions. Materials: Weather watch journals, data recording sheets. Assessment: Students will present their weather journals and discuss observed patterns.

Lesson 5: Weather Science Review

Objective: Review and consolidate learning about weather. Activities:

• Review key concepts: temperature variations, water cycle, wind direction.

• Discuss how weather affects daily lives and the environment.

• Celebrate students' achievements as weather scientists. Materials: Review sheets, certificates. Assessment: Students will participate in a class discussion and complete a review worksheet.

Additional Resources

• Interactive Weather Websites: To explore real-time weather data and forecasts.

• Interactive Map

• Weather Instruments: To enhance hands-on learning (e.g., anemometers, rain gauges).

• Weather Instruments

This unit plan provides a comprehensive approach to teaching weather science, ensuring alignment with NYS standards and engaging students in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.