Kindergarten Weather Lesson Plan Activities

Kindergarten student with umbrella in front of rain and sun chalk drawing.
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Studying the weather is an ideal way to help kindergartners apply everyday events to subjects like math and science. You can introduce charts, graphs and hands-on building projects to help kindergartners understand the basics of meteorology. Keep it fun by going outdoors and experiencing the elements. Your creativity can help young students gain an interest in science and a foundation for future learning.

1 Learn Which Way the Wind Is Blowing

Introduce the power of wind by describing how it’s used to create energy. Show pictures of windmills, wind turbines and sailboats and explain how wind makes things move. Take your kindergartners outside so they can experience wind from a new perspective. For example, have them hold a wet finger in the air. Ask them to figure out which way the wind is blowing. Illustrate this further by having them wave straws, dipped in soapy water, through the air. Your kindergartners will delight in seeing bubbles blow across the playground. Follow up the lesson by discussing cardinal directions and how wind can blow in a storm.

2 Chart the Weather to Learn About Patterns

Charting the weather is a fun way to become more in touch with weather patterns. You can introduce this lesson by reading “Maisy’s Wonderful Weather Book” by Lucy Cousins. The next step is to have your kindergartners create individual weather books. Staple together 20 pages of paper, labeled with the days of the week. Each day, have your students observe the weather and create a descriptive picture page. Provide magazines and art supplies, and encourage them to be creative. Have kindergartners share their weather pictures with one another. At the end of the month, ask your students to revisit their weather book and discuss the precipitation and temperatures that occurred.

3 Learn About Temperature and Thermometers

Most kindergartners know that when it’s cold outside, a coat is a necessity. Help them gain a deeper understanding of temperature by teaching them about thermometers. Show your students a thermometer and have them observe the inside and outside temperature. Deepen their understanding by having them create an individual paper thermometer. Explain the numbers and how they create a scale that represents cold to hot temperatures. Announce the temperature at the beginning of each day and ask students to find the number on their thermometer.

4 Splash in Puddles to Learn About Evaporation

Explore the concept of evaporation by measuring and observing puddles on the playground. Take your kindergartners on a puddle scavenger hunt and their excitement for science will soar. Have students use a ruler to measure the depth and width of several puddles. Note the measurements and temperature on a large piece of paper. Do this for five days and ask students why the puddles changed size. Explain that temperature and wind can affect how fast a puddle evaporates.

Dr. Kelly Meier earned her doctorate from Minnesota State Mankato in Educational Leadership. She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. She has numerous publications with Talico, Inc., DynaTEAM Consulting, Inc. and Kinect Education Group.

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