Weather Project- Observe and Record {Science and Writing}

This differentiated science and writing project is a meaningful addition to your weather unit, with an added exposure to geography (map skills), and land forms (national parks). Students will track weather data from national parks and use the data to predict the weather for the following day. In this project, student plan a trip to three National Parks, each in different areas of the United States. Students track the weather for four days and then predict the weather they will experience during their expedition. The goal of the perfect weather expedition is to experience different weather in all three areas.

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Earth and Life Science Project Bundle

Although standards often differ between states, I have listed some general topics and concepts of the project below:

Science

• Track weather data from day-to-day at different locations

• Record weather data such as cloud coverage, high temperature, and chance of precipitation and use it to predict weather

• Compare weather data from different locations

Writing

• Conventions such as: capitalization of proper nouns (national parks), capitalization and punctuation

• Writing a complete paragraph

Technology

• Use technology to gather data

This project includes:

Lesson plan and suggested sequence

Weather tracker page (to track weather data)

Map of national parks (not all parks shown- 24 parks selected for project)

Project assignment slide (this tells students about the project)

Final project choices (full page and two pages)

Grading rubrics (for grading two parts of project separately or as one grade)

Although this activity does require five days to complete, the amount of time needed in days 2-4 is minimal as students are only recording weather data. A suggested lesson plan and sequence for the week is included on the following pages. Each student begins by tracking four days of weather for different National Parks on the weather tracker page. After tracking the weather, students will use the data to forecast the weather for their weather expedition. Note: This project does require technology as students access weather data on websites for the first four days. It takes a very short time to gather and record the weather data, so students can easily share technology in partners or small groups.

There are two choices for the final project. The first option has room for the completed map and paragraph all on one page. For the second option, students plot their course on a map on the full-size map. Weather symbols can be added if desired. Students will then type or write the weather information on the lined paper provided or on a computer. This allows for more room depending on the amount of information you want students to include.

You can choose to grade the weather tracker and writing projects separately or as one grade together. Rubrics are included for both options. I prefer to grade the two activities separately.

I encourage you to check the preview to see more of what is included! Thank you!

- The Knitted Apple

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Other science resources you may be interested in:

♥Planet Project {3-D Model and Planet Report}

♥Forms of Energy Robot Project- FREEBIE!

♥Animal Adaptations Science and Writing Project

♥Landforms Science and Writing Project

♥Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors Science and Writing Project

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-The Knitted Apple

Keywords: weather, national parks, science, earth science