The Earth’s System

Credits: NASA

Contributor: Erica Keen Sample NearPod Lesson

In this unit, kindergarten students will be learning about Earth’s Systems. Students may not understand that the earth has weather patterns or that the weather can be predicted. Students will watch weather videos to help the visual learners learn the different types of weather tools and learn the seasons. Students will use hands-on activities such as using real life weather tools, to help deepen their knowledge and become familiar with using these tools. These activities aim to help students learn by doing and seeing. Students will have the opportunity to use weather tools to help deepen their learning. Knowledge about the weather patterns, weather graphs/symbols, and models is important for students to know because it teaches them how to predict the weather as well as know how to use weather tools. Once students can interpret weather data, they will be able to recognize weather patterns each year. Students will learn the different seasons Earth has as they realize it only snows and is cold at a certain part of the year.

Studying and understanding Earth’s systems is a learning expectation covered under the Tennessee State Standards for Science.

K.ESS2: Earth’s Systems 1) Analyze and interpret weather data (precipitation, wind, temperature, cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur over time (hourly, daily) using simple graphs, pictorial weather symbols, and tools (thermometer, rain gauge). 2) Develop and use models to predict weather and identify patterns in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

ASSURE Lesson Plan Template

Name: Erica Keen Subject Area(s): Science Duration of Lesson: 45 minutes to an hour Grade Level: Kindergarten

Analyze learners

In the kindergarten class at Howard Elementary School, there are twenty-one studentswhich include eleven females and twelve males. The students range from Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic and are between the ages of five and six. There are not any students in the class with IEP’s. There are two English Language Learners and spend time outside of the classroom with a speech therapist. The remaining students are fluent with the English Language. There are two students who need extra help in the classroom due to being way below grade level. There are four students that get pulled out during ELA learning stations to work on catching up to grade level. For example, two students get extra help during this time learning to write their name. One student gets pulled out for Progress Monitoring on letter sound recognition. The school is prek-5th grade and has a lot of low-income families. Howard Elementary is predominantly Caucasian, but has a mixed population ranging from African American, Hispanic, and Asian. Students get free breakfast and lunch in Sumner County because the USDA has extended their Summer Food Service Program through June 30th, 2021 due to Covid19 hardships. This allows for all students in the school to get the nutrients they need to stay focused throughout the day and able to learn to the best of their abilities.

Curriculum Competencies

To complete this lesson, students will need to have a basic understanding of weather and are able to predict an outcome. Students will also need to know how to plot numbers on an age appropriate plot graph.

Technology Competencies

To complete this lesson, students will need to know how to operate and navigate an iPad. The students will need to know which app to get on and how to use the video portion on the iPad to video each other talking.

State & NETS*S objectives K.ESS2: Earth’s Systems 1) Analyze and interpret weather data (precipitation, wind, temperature, cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur over time (hourly, daily) using simple graphs, pictorial weather symbols, and tools (thermometer, rain gauge). 2) Develop and use models to predict weather and identify patterns in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

ISTE Standard

5b. Students collect data or identify relevant data sets, use digital tools to analyze them, and represent data in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making.

Behavioral Objective:

Given the weather app on the iPad and an already set up plotting graph of construction board, the students in the kindergarten class will compose their predictions of the weather based off of the pictorial weather symbols and their knowledge about the four seasons from a video, in groups. The class should get 90% correct of their temperature predictions within 8 degrees and the picture symbol representation 95% correct to show their understanding of the standard. Students decide on a day of the week they want to predict and plot the number of what they think the high will be that day on the construction board. The students will write their name under their plot and record their prediction of what kind of weather it will be based on what they saw in the weather app. For example, the students will write sunny, rainy, windy, cold, etc. under their plot as well.

Language Objective:

WHAT do you want students to think, know understand and/or be able to do with language (identify, give examples, compare, describe, retell, summarize, define vocabulary, use vocabulary words, demonstrate understanding of comparing and contrasting, etc.. )Be specific and use concrete terms.

List key vocabulary, content-specific terms, word wall words, etc. you need to teach and how you will teach students that vocabulary in the lesson?

Select instruction al methods, media, and materials •5 plot graph poster boards (student centered)

•25 pencils for students to use (student centered)

•1 of each vocabulary card for teacher to go over with the class (teacher and student centered)

•25 Vocabulary matching assessment

Technological Materials

•22 iPads with weather app already downloaded and with Wi-Fi/internet connection (student centered)

•ELMO to display plot graphs/to show how to do (teacher centered)

•Dry erase board (teacher and student centered)

•Printer with ink and paper (teacher centered)

•Video from web- S. (Director). (2016, April 5). Be a Weather Watcher [Video file]. Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo8lbeVVb4M

•Meteorologist video- Rudd, J. (Director). (2015, July 6). Weather 101 for Kids- with Meteorologist JD Rudd [Video file]. Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWWx3reC9qA

***Any teacher using this lesson plan should use a rubric to determine the educational value for the learner and the learning environment***

Utilize media and materials •Preview the Be a Weather Watcher video-- *previewed and approved*

•Preview the Weather 101 for Kids video-- *previewed and approved*

•Make sure all plot graph poster boards are done

•Make sure all 22 iPads are connected to Wi-Fi and charged

•Make sure the weather app is downloaded on all iPads

•Make sure all vocabulary cards are ready to view

•Have both videos pulled up and ready for students to view on teacher computer

•Have extra sharpened pencils ready

•Have black markers ready for plot graph

•Check for properly working ELMO

•Have 25 vocabulary assessment matching quiz ready.

Prepare the classroom

•Turn the lights down when watching videos

•Turn the ELMO and Projector on

•Make sure students have enough room for group work

Prepare the learner

•Introduce the lesson and vocabulary by watching the two videos(Be a Weather Watcher and Weather 101 for Kids) and going over vocabulary cards

•Show students what app they will be getting on

•Model how to plot their number and write their prediction

•Make predictions as a class and plot class predictions of the weather next week

•Model how to be a meteorologist and model what to say.

Require learner participatio n After the instruction on how to use the technology, students will be broken into 5 groups (3 groups of 5 and 1 group of 6). Each individual person will have their own iPad. The students will also have their own individual black marker for plotting and the predication. Students will be given a plot graph poster to use for this activity. Students will unlock the iPad and get on the weather app. Students will study todays weather and look at the predictions of the following days weather. Students will recognize the weather symbols for their specific day. Students will make their predictions based on what they saw. Students will take turns plotting their number and writing their prediction on the poster board. Once all students in the group are done, they will take turns opening their iPad and videoing each other for the meteorologist fake news cast. Once the group is done, they will go back to their seats and start thinking about the vocabulary quiz. Once everyone is back at their seats the teacher will pass out the matching vocabulary assessment and a pencil for everyone to use. The students will be graded on their participation in their groups, the accuracy of their predictions, as well as on the vocabulary matching assessment. Once everyone is done with their quiz, they will turn the quiz in and go back to their desks and wait quietly. Once everyone has finished the teacher will show a few meteorologist videos for the class to watch.

If a student is showing signs that they do not understand the objective, ask one of the group members who is proficient to explain some additional instruction of what to do. If peer tutoring does not work, the teacher will provide more examples and model as the student works with you. If the student still does not understand help guide him/her through it by asking him/her questions and getting them to complete the assignment with help.

Evaluate and revise Describe how/when artifact presentation, rubric scoring, and discussion of ideas for improvement will occur. Include the artifact rubric

Formative Assessment (Process):

Formative assessments used in this lesson include observation of group participation while completing the predictions, video, and plot graph. Students will demonstrate understanding by working together to form the plot graph, news video, and predictions. The formative assessment should be recorded on a group record sheet that will be entered into the gradebook. The students will need to be graded individually and then as a whole group. The formative assessment will take place as the group is working together to make the plot graph, news video, and their predictions. I expect all students to participate and collaborate within their group and put effort forth in completing the assignment. I will provide students with verbal feedback while walking around listening to the student collaborate and explain. If the objective is not being met by a large portion of the class, then the lesson should be stopped and readdressed by the teacher. If a student is still struggling the teacher will give additional instruction and can tweak the assignment for him/her.

Summative Assessment (Product):

The summative assessment is a mix of the videos the students will make being meteorologists and the vocabulary matching sheet. All students must show an understanding of the weather and how predictions are made. Students must also show the understanding of the vocabulary words. The class should get at least 8 out of 10 vocabulary right. Students will be able to self-assess by watching their video that they created. Students can choose to redo the video if they feel they did not do their best work. The video the students create will document the ability of the student to meet both TN science standard (K.ESS2:Earth’s Systems )and the technology standard (ISTE5b.).

Category Contributions

Focus on the task

4 Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of Working with othersAlmost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Tries to keep people working well together. Student grading the matching vocabulary correct correct. effort 3

Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A strong group member who tries hard!

Consistently stays Focuses on the focused on the task task and what and what needs to needs to be done be done. Very self- most of the time. directed. Other group members can count on this

person. Usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of others. Does not cause "waves" in the group. 3 Students got 80% of vocabulary correct Read the data in the weather app 80% correct. 2

Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required. Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task. Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others, but sometimes is not a good team 1

Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. May refuse to participate.

Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work.

Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Often is not a good team player.

Category Vocabulary

Understands Content 4

Students got all Read the data in weather app 100% member.

2 Students got 50% of vocabulary correct Did not read the data in the weather app correctly at all. 1

Students got less than 50% of vocabulary correct. Did not attempt to read the data.

Media Share Resources

Be a Weather Watcher- Video

SciShow Kids (2016, April 5). Be a Weather Watcher- Science for Kids. Retrieved from YouTube on September 7th, 2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo8lbeVVb4M

This YouTube video aligns with the standard K.ESS2: Earth’s Systems 1) Analyze and interpret weather data (precipitation, wind, temperature, cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur over time (hourly, daily) using simple graphs, pictorial weather symbols, and tools (thermometer, rain gauge). 2) Develop and use models to predict weather and identify patterns in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The YouTube video encourages students to use a weather journal to predict the weather patterns. Students can use their own graphs to predict the weather over a period of time using their data. This video encourages students to use science tools to predict the weather as well.

Four Seasons Song- Video

Jack Hartman Kids Music Channel (2018, August 10). Four Seasons Song-Jack Hartman. Retrieved from YouTube on September 7, 2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iisj2kTZIFs

This YouTube video aligns with the standard K.ESS2: Earth’s Systems 1) Analyze and interpret weather data (precipitation, wind, temperature, cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur over time

(hourly, daily) using simple graphs, pictorial weather symbols, and tools (thermometer, rain gauge). 2) Develop and use models to predict weather and identify patterns in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In this video Jack Hartman uses a song to describe the four seasons. The students will be able to sing and dance along while learning the four seasons. The students will be able to recognize what each season looks like and will be able to predict what season comes next.

Play and Learn Science- App

Play and Learn Science (Weather Control and Gear Up) (2018). [Cost. Free] Retrieved from Apple App Store on September 7, 2020 from https://pbskids.org/apps/play-and-learn-science-.html

This app aligns with the standard K.ESS2: Earth’s Systems 1) Analyze and interpret weather data (precipitation, wind, temperature, cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur over time (hourly, daily) using simple graphs, pictorial weather symbols, and tools (thermometer, rain gauge). 2) Develop and use models to predict weather and identify patterns in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. This app allows the students to learn about weather tools in a game setting. It lets the student read the thermometers and control the weather in the app. It asks the students which thermometer best represents the picture on the screen, allowing the student to picture the seasons and what kind of weather goes with each. Students can explore all things weather and learn what the thermometer should

read at each season.

Tree House Weather Kids- Website

University of Illinois Extension (2020). Tree house Weather Kids. Retrieved on September 7th 2020 from https://web.extension.illinois.edu/treehouse/seasons.cfm?Slide=2

The website Weather Wiz Kids aligns with the standard K.ESS2: Earth’s Systems 1) Analyze and interpret weather data (precipitation, wind, temperature, cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur over time (hourly, daily) using simple graphs, pictorial weather symbols, and tools (thermometer, rain gauge). 2) Develop and use models to predict weather and identify patterns in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, for kindergarten. With the help of a parent this website allows students to explore what causes seasons and how to tell the temperature outside. This website is like an informational story book with

pictures aligning with the standard listed above. This website also explains the differences between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

Weather and What to Wear Today- App

Weather and What to Wear Today (Meteorology & Kids Clothes). [Cost. Free]. Retrieved from Apple App Store on September 7, 2020 from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weather-what-to-wear-toda/ id1396769360

This app aligns with the standard K.ESS2: Earth’s Systems 1) Analyze and interpret weather data (precipitation, wind, temperature, cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur over time (hourly, daily) using simple graphs, pictorial weather symbols, and tools (thermometer, rain gauge). 2) Develop and use models to predict weather and identify patterns in spring, summer, autumn, and winter because it allows the student to see the weather where their location is. The student can look at the temperature outside and dress his/her person on the app the way they should be dressed for that season and temperature. The student can play around with the temperature gauge, making it hot or cold, then dress their person on the game accordingly. The game shows a thermometer for students to get familiar with.

Weather Wiz Kids- Website

Weather Wiz Kids (2003-2020). Welcome to Weather Wiz Kids. Retrieved on September 7th, 2020 from

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=82

The website Weather Wiz Kids aligns with the standard K.ESS2: Earth’s Systems 1) Analyze and interpret weather data (precipitation, wind, temperature, cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur over time (hourly, daily) using simple graphs, pictorial weather symbols, and tools (thermometer, rain gauge). 2) Develop and use models to predict weather and identify patterns in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, for kindergarten. With the help of a parent this website allows students to explore all the different kinds of weather tools. Students can learn about weather forecasting and the many vocabulary words to go with it. On this website it even shows weather symbols that are very important for students to know when trying to read the thermometers and other types of instruments.