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=Science Unit: Reporting the Weather=

Grade 4/5
Two weeks: 10 minutes before class, 30 minutes during, brief computer access throughout day.
 * Lesson Length (Total Time)**

Students will communicate information to demonstrate understanding of weather using appropriate terminology, measurement tools, and predictions.
 * Goal**

Standards and Objectives
__Science and Technology__ 3.2.7 B Apply process knowledge to make and interpret observations. 3.5.7 C Describe basic elements of meteorology.
 * Curriculum Standards**


 * Learning Objectives**
 * Students will observe and record weather data and details consistently over several weeks.
 * Students will accurately read and interpret weather reading tools, including a thermometer, a barometer, and online weather information websites. They will report this data using SmartBoard tools, including text and a virtual thermometer.
 * Students will describe current weather using appropriate scientific terms and specific measured data.
 * Students will collect and analyze data to make weather predictions.
 * Student groups will report their descriptions and predictions in a video-based weather report.
 * Students will find and record current weather information online with Google Earth and Weather.gov.
 * Students will record daily weather data by commenting in a wiki.
 * Students will develop visual aids for reporting weather using a Smart Board or projector.

Goals, Technology, Media, and Materials

 * Lesson Goals**
 * Students will make choices in developing their weather report video. They will need to develop visual aids to use with the presentation in factual, but interest-grabbing way.
 * Videos provide students with valuable weather information, including ways to interpret and present weather data. The information is presented by a real weather reporter, using verbal information, visual aids, and a wide variety of topics.
 * Wiki compiles all student information together in one easily accessible place. Students can view and compare their submissions to others.
 * Google Earth gives students a manipulative to use in observing and tracking weather data.
 * SmartBoard tools give students a virtual thermometer to manipulate, and an opportunity to practice describing weather prior to the final project.

Gives students choices in production roles (anchor, camera person, technology person, etc...), and sets learning in an authentic context. Allows students to utilize multiple work skills, including creativity, organization, planning, visually communicating, verbally communicating, and application of scientific knowledge. || Primarily for introducing lessons to build interest and help retention. || Builds community of discussion around weather data and interpretation. || Puts weather data in realistic context. Interest-grabbing for greater retention. || Students practice in reporting and recording data prior to the video project. ||
 * Technology and Media**
 * ~ ===Type=== ||~ ===How it will be used effectively=== ||
 * < Video Recording ||< Promotes student interest and participation, thus increases likelihood of retention of content.
 * < “How to Predict the Weather” YouTube series ||< Provides factual information from an expert in student-appropriate language.
 * < Wiki ||< Easily accessible tool from school and home.
 * < Google Earth ||< Visual format allows for multiple learning styles.
 * < SmartBoard Tools ||< Highly visible set of manipulatives.

Activities and Technology

 * What activities will engage students and form knowledge?**

Open with recorded video of previous night’s local weather report. Using the slate, students will add observations to a SmartBoard concept web based on the things they noticed in the report. They will develop a class KWL chart that will be placed on the classroom Wiki for students to answer and respond to as the unit continues. Everyone will be expected to contribute at least one in each category.

Introduce how to record daily weather information in paper weather log. Show how to use Weather.gov and Google Earth with Weather Bonk tools on SmartBoard and classroom computers. Introduce weather information recording as a daily practice center. Students will be expected to record the temperature, air pressure, wind direction, wind speed, cloud type and estimated coverage, precipitation type and amount, and a prediction for the following day. Students may not use online tools for the temperature and air pressure.

Practice recording and posting on WikiSpaces for the first three days of recording, after which students will be expected to complete on their own.

At the end of the day, one student will lead the class in recording the weather as a whole to record the weather for the day on the SmartBoard. This will include marking all the elements that they are expected to record in their weather logs, but will be done with graphics and the virtual thermometer.

Every major content lesson will be introduced with a video from the YouTube series, How To Predict The Weather. The series includes videos on clouds, precipitation, reading a weather map, how to predict the wind, how to add information to a weather report, becoming your own weather reporter, and weather prediction as an art.

Students will have weather terms and symbols to practice and study. Practice will be available in the form of online practice guides and quizzes, and there will be a clicker-based exam near the end of the unit. Early in the unit, students may describe the weather in their own words, but students will be expected to use appropriate terminology consistently after it is introduced.

After all the main content lessons are complete, students will be planning for and developing weather reports based on the weather for the day. The teacher will decide grouping and the group manager, and the students will need to decide on which person or persons will be the reporter, the recorder, the card-holder, and the technician.

Students will develop visual aids using a computer program such as PowerPoint, Impress, Glogster, Prezi, PhotoShop, PhotoStory, or any other presentation or graphic design program. It is recommended that whatever they use, it should be versatile, as they will need to adapt it to whatever the weather will be like during their presentation day.

On the day of a group’s presentation, they will be given time during their small group work to produce and adapt their report and tools.

Weather report that will be recorded. Will be shown to fellow students in homeroom and cooperative room also doing project.

Presentation will be based on that day’s weather and will be presented one group a day prior to dismissal.

The presentation needs at least one host (not every student needs to be on camera), description of temperature, precipitation, air pressure, cloud type, and prediction for the following day.

Can be done in one to three-computer classroom with Smart Board or projector.
 * Identification of instructional resources and materials**

Software needed:
 * Google Earth with Weather Bonk add-on
 * SmartBoard "Smart Notebook"
 * Internet Browser

Websites needed:
 * WikiSpaces
 * How To Predict The Weather (YouTube)
 * National Weather Service


 * How will the available technology be managed?**
 * Train students with Google Earth prior to use.
 * Early in year, train students with PowerPoint, Glogster, Prezi, and other related tools that can be used for visual aid.
 * Recording will be done during centers time, and only one person will be recording per day.
 * Maintain frequent check-ups and communication with groups throughout project.
 * Ensure planning and data collection is being completed.

__How, and to whom, will students publish, present or share their learning__
Students will record a short weather report video (3 to 8 minutes long), presenting a weather report for that day. Only one group will record per day based on a pre-assigned order. They will be provided time to record before class, during their centers time, and during recess if necessary, using a basic plug-and-play digital camcorder. Visual aids should be prepared before recording; however, students will likely need to briefly prepare the visual aid to reflect that day's weather.

The video will be shown at the end of the day. The class and another partner class will view the recorded videos from both classes for that day. A day after their presentation, I will provide students with a CD with their presentation burned to it to take home.

__Calendar of student activities__
Intro to Unit Vocab, Observation of recorded weather report from previous day, note observations. || Introduce daily weather information recording, introduce Weather.gov, Google Earth weather tools, and WikiSpaces. Begin recording in weather log together. || Clouds with cloud HTPW video. Precipitation with precipitation HTPW video. Terminology study guide. || Reading a weather map with Reading a weather map HTPW and discuss weather map symbols. How to predict the Wind with How to Predict the Wind HTPW. Symbols study guide. Begin recording weather logs on own. Project groups assigned. || Requirements and examples for Weather Reporting project. How to Add Information HTPW, Becoming Your Own Weather Reporter HTPW, and Weather Prediction as an Art HTPW. || Time to work on group project. || Review of symbols and terms. Clicker Quiz on symbols and terms using recorded local weather report. || Weather video recording, presenting at end of day. One day for each group. ||
 * __Day 1:__
 * __Day 2:__
 * __Day 3:__
 * __Day 4:__
 * __Day 5:__
 * __Days 6 – 9:__
 * __Day 8:__
 * __Days 11 and On:__

Assessment
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 * Formative Assessment**
 * Consistent and accurate recording of daily weather data. [Weather Log]
 * Justifiable weather predictions based on data.
 * Questioning and discussion of videos.
 * Observation and planning interviews with students during project development. [Pre-Production Checklist]
 * Symbols and Terms Clicker Quiz.
 * Summative Assessment**
 * Video recorded weather report. [Weather Report Video Rubric]