How Can We Be Ready for Weather?
How Can We Be Ready for the Weather? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a new curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is designed to address a bundle of kindergarten earth and space and physical science standards. In this module, students:
- Use models to carry out investigations and determine the causes of weather phenomena
- Use observations to construct evidence-based explanations of weather-related phenomena caused by different combinations of weather variables (e.g., wind, precipitation, sunlight, and temperature)
- Record and analyze data to identify patterns of the variability in temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and weather-related hazards associated with particular locations and times
- Develop questions based on weather forecast data to anticipate potential problems storms may cause for objects and living things
- Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information from multiple sources to develop plans to mitigate weather-related risks of injury and damage to humans and property
Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.
Family Letter
Prior to starting How Can We Be Ready for the Weather? share the Family Letter with students’ caregivers. Indicate how they should submit responses to the letter.
Download Family Letter PDF
Ada Asks Introduction (0:33)
This video introduces students to a natural phenomenon that drives Lessons 1-3. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
or Download the Ada Asks Introduction Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Ada Asks Introduction Video
Download the Ada Asks Introduction Video Transcript
Wet on One Side
This file shows an image of a pole that is wet on one side and dry on the other.
Download the Wet on One Side PDF
Types of Rainy Weather
This file shows two images of precipitation.
Download the Types of Rainy Weather PDF
Types of Sunny Weather
This file shows two images of sunny weather.
Download the Types of Sunny Weather PDF
Types of Windy Weather
This file shows two images of windy weather.
Download the Types of Windy Weather PDF
Lesson 3 Materials Set 1
This file shows an image of the materials included in the first wave of materials distributed from the materials center.
Download the Lesson 3 Materials Set 1 PDF
Lesson 3 Materials Set 2
This file shows an image of the materials included in the second wave of materials distributed from the materials center.
Download the Lesson 3 Materials Set 2 PDF
Modern Art
This file shows a series three images used in the Lesson 3 extension.
Download the Modern Art PDF
Ada Asks Melting Snowman (4:06)
This video contains the phenomenon that drives Lessons 4-7. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
or Download the Ada Asks Melting Snowman Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Ada Asks Melting Snowman Video
Download the Ada Asks Melting Snowman Transcript
Snowflakes
This file contains a series of 4 microphotographs of snowflakes for use in the Lesson 4 extension.
Download the Snowflakes PDF
Weather Scene Cards
This file contains a series of 4 digital cards containing weather scenes.
Download the Water Scene Cards PDF
Preparing for the Weather Card Game Rules
This file contains the rules for playing the Preparing for the Weather card game.
Download the Preparing for the Weather Card Game Rules PDF
Weather Activities
This file contains images from the Smithsonian collection that are used in the Lesson 5 extension.
Download the Weather Activities PDF
Predicting with Patterns
This file contains a pdf file of a pattern-solving worksheet.
Download the Predicting with Patterns PDF
Predicting Patterns
This file contains an image of a pattern for use in a whole class discussion.
Download Predicting Patterns PDF
Melting in the Sun (0:15)
This file contains a video of icicles melting in the sun.
Download the Melting in the Sun Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Melting in the Sun Video
Download the Melting in the Sun Video Transcript
Melting Ice Time-lapse (2:18)
This video shows how ice under a lamp and ice not under a lamp change over time.
Download the Melting Ice Time-lapse Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Melting Ice Time-lapse Video
Download the Melting Ice Time-lapse Video Transcript
Temperature Words Writing Practice
This file contains a pdf writing practice worksheet.
Download the Temperature Words Writing Practice PDF
Ada Asks Letter
This file shows a letter from Ada inviting friends to spend a day in her tree house.
Download the Ada Asks Letter PDF
Thunderstorm (0:10 minutes)
This video shows a thunderstorm with thunder and lightning. You will need speakers for this video.
Download the Thunderstorm Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Thunderstorm Video
Download the Thunderstorm Video Transcript
Hurricane (0:25 minutes)
This video shows a hurricane with high winds and rain.
Download the Hurricane Video
Tornado (0:06 minutes)
This video shows a tornado.
Download the Tornado Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Tornado Video
Download the Tornado Video Transcript
Blizzard (0:10 minutes)
This video shows people trying to walk in a blizzard.
Download the Blizzard Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Blizzard Video
Download the Blizzard Video Transcript
Storm Smart
This simulation shows the hazards associated with different types of storms and provides options for how someone could prepare for each storm. Storm Smart is available as a website.
https://ssec.si.edu/storm-smart
Lesson 9 Materials
This file contains an image showing the material set up of one station.
Download the Lesson 9 Materials PDF
Ada Asks Science Challenge (0:27)
This file contains a video that introduces the challenge of helping Ada prepare for a hiking trip. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
or Download the Ada Asks Science Challenge Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Ada Asks Science Challenge Video
Download the Ada Asks Science Challenge Video Transcript
SERC Weather Worksheets A and B
This file contains the pdf worksheet that supports the Lesson 10 extension.
Download Worksheet A PDF
Download Worksheet B PDF
Explore SERC
This file contains a video compilation of several locations at SERC.
Download the Explore SERC Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Explore SERC Video
Download the Explore SERC Video Transcript
River Seining at SERC (5:00)
This video is used in the Lesson 10 extension in which a marine biologist teaches about river seining.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvEvYThe4lw&feature=youtu.be
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