MeteoroloKids: Classroom Weather Watch

I. Briefly review the project form. Discuss the project theme, outline and time line; review the project and curriculum objectives.

Project Theme - Weather

Outline and timeline - MeteoroloKids can run throughout the entire school year depending on when the teacher chooses to focus on the outcomes dealing with weather. The main focus is during the winter months, with some outcomes being covered in Spring, for example the outcomes on wind and puddles.

Teacher resources are constantly being added to the site as they are developed or discovered.

Project Objectives:

Students will:

• participate in hands-on science experiments relating to weather phenomena.
• communicate with others using email, web forms etc.
• examine how geography affects weather
• share information about their community and geographic location with other participating schools
• create and interpret graphs of the information they send and receive
• use appropriate web authoring software to create web pages
• create artistic representations for use as graphics and icons on the Weather Watch web site
• examine and explore the concept of average
• examine and explore negative numbers through the concept of below zero.

• construct and communicate number meanings
• collect, record, organize and describe relevant data
• construct concrete and pictorial displays of relevant data
• read and interpret displays of relevant data
• generate questions, develop and modify predictions, and implement plans with respect to data analysis
• conduct informal investigations of chance and estimate probabilities
• apply estimation techniques to predict and justify the reasonableness of results in relevant problem solving situations

• observe and explain how puddles evaporate outdoors
• observe how air temperature changes over a period of time
• observe and record the presence of moving air
• investigate to discover that wind is moving air
• measure air temperature at different times and sites using a thermometer
• construct a rain gauge to measure rainfall
• consider environmental factors which affect weather

• investigate how weather affects a study site
• observe clouds and note the kind of clouds which usually precede certain types of weather
• simulate the formation of a cloud
• describe the procedure for forming a cloud
• conduct a survey for weather preferences
• create a pictograph of weather survey results
• test clothing material to determine which ones would be appropriate for particular weather conditions
• describe local landforms

• identify and describe examples of interactions among people, technology and the environment
• ask basic geographic questions, acquire, organize, and analyze geographic information, and answer geographic questions at an age-appropriate level
• use maps, globes, and pictures to describe location and place
• identify ways people depend on, modify, and are influenced by the physical environment

• generate their own questions as a guide to research
• use basic reference materials
• use a database or electronic search
• question information presented in print and visual texts
• use writing and other forms of representing to formulate questions
• record experience
• create written and media texts using a variety of forms
• experiment with the combination of writing with other media to increase impact of their presentations
• demonstrate an awareness of purpose and audience
• make choices about form for a specific purpose/audience
• experiment with technology in writing and other forms of representing

II. Show the audience the outcome of the project proposal.

Results and a tour of the project can be seen at: http://www.k12.nf.ca/coleyspoint/mkids/index.html

III. Briefly comment on any successes or problems that were encountered throughout the life of the project.

Successes

The kids really enjoyed the activties and I got positive feedback from other teachers using the resources. Problems

I would like to find a better way of showcasing the work the children did. We do not have enough room on our site to keep all the children's work. When we move on to another project, their "old" work is removed to make space for their new work. Therefore, the drawings of Grumpy Groundhog etc. are no longer available. Like all good online projects, 90% of the work on MeteoroloKids goes on in the classroom and is never seen by people visiting the website.

IV. Comment on any aspects of the project that you would do differently.

I would begin earlier in the school year to allow the children more time to work on the activities.

V. Comment on if and how the project can be expanded next year.

I will tie MeteoroloKids to Project Groundhog. There is a new Language Arts resource for Grades 1 and 2 next year, and I noticed that the Grade 2 program has a section on reading and writing informational material and on using technology. This will fit in beautifully with MeteoroloKids.