Today’s post is written by Bren, a contributor to PreKinders.
Observing and recording the weather is a daily activity in many pre-k classrooms. This is the way we do it in our class.
Also included are the learning benchmarks (LB) we are covering during this fun part of our day.
We start by discussing different kinds of weather during Circle Time (LB: Use common weather-related vocabulary, rainy, snowy, sunny, and windy. Identify basic concepts associated with night/day and seasons.)
Then, using chalkboards, we practiced making simple weather symbols (LB: Understand that pictures and symbols have meaning and that print carries a message.)
The “Weather Reporter” is one of our preschool jobs that rotate daily. In our classroom, the Weather Reporter goes outside with an assistant, but it could also be done by looking out a window (LB: Use senses to explore and observe materials and natural phenomena).
Using a marker and index card out of the weather pouch, the Weather Reporter draws the symbol(s) that represent the current weather as well as their initials (LB: Collect, describe and record information).
They report to the class and we put it on the weekly chart. At the end of the week, we spend a few minutes comparing and discussing the different kinds of weather we had that week (LB: Show an awareness of changes that occur in themselves and their environment).
Find more Weather Activities for Pre-K on the category page.
Don't worry - we never sell or share email addresses!
This is just we need to start after Spring Break! Thank you!
Thanks for commenting, Lee! I was thinking the same thing!
I am teaching pre K next year and your site has been so helpful. Where do your learning benchmarks come from?
Hi Kate, Bren’s benchmarks are from the state of Illinois. My state’s benchmarks (not Bren’s) can be found here: http://www.gelds.decal.ga.gov. I’m in Georgia – we call them “early learning standards” – same thing, different terminology.
Thank you!
I like this. I used to use window markers and would have the child whose turn it was make the symbol directly on the window in our door to the outside.
Thanks for this. We are about to begin our unit on ‘Seasons and Weather’ and will use some of your ideas. We have in the past been doing something very similar and will add some changes.
Thanks.
I love getting your emails every week and really enjoy looking through your whole website!! I teach prek and twos/threes and have used many ideas from your website! Thanks so much! I think we will start using the weather reporting after spring break, too. I think my prek kids will love it!
This is great – we also write down the temperature – and compare it to the 40 degree number – so if it is colder than 40 degrees we have our Gross Motor indoors – this give us the chance to work on greater than and less than…and comparing numbers above 10. If I may as – what is written after ‘weather symbols’ at the top – I cannot make it out? Thanks ~S
It is a note to the parents: These are the weather symbols we use to record the weather in Pre-K.
I like the idea of recording the temperature also.
Love this idea! Especially that the children will take turns being the weather reporter and they will be making the symbols! Love it!!!!
wow!simple and amazing ideas for teaching wearther.
This a great idea. I will try this with my preschool children for sure!! You mentioned that it is one of the jobs that the children do and they are rotated daily. Just wondering what other jobs you get the children to do??
Hi Katryna,
I have 8 students, so I have 8 daily jobs. Frog feeder (we have 2 frogs that we raised from tadpoles), Circle time helper (weather reporter, holds flag, etc.), snack helper (collects snack tags), song selector (child hold a microphone and can either sing by themselves or pick a song for everyone to sing), Show & Tell, Bell Ringer (rings the clean up bell), Book Bag and Game Bag (both of these are totes that the child takes home that contain books and activity to do with parents). I use to have 18 kids, so I had a lot more jobs, like book selector, line leader, caboose, etc. It seems like a lot to keep up with, but I have a large chart and the kids NEVER forget what their job is. They’re VERY important to them. 🙂 Bren
I love these ideas! Thanks so much for sharing them. I can’t wait to try this in my classroom next week…(we are on our April break this week!).
“Recording the Weather” is a fabulous daily activity for diverse/ESL learners as well. Each child in the classroom is provided an opportunity to be a weather reporter. A wonderful daily Science/Language Arts activity..
Your whole site is full of wonderful, easy to implement ideas. Just wondering what are the ages of the children in your classroom?
I teach 4-5 year olds.
I love that you have incorporated the learning benchmarks that go along with this! This is my second year teaching and my first time doing WSO! Thank you this is a big help!