Suggested Time: 60 minutes
Suggested Class size: 8-20 students
Target Student: Grade 1-3
 Overview: 
This lesson works as the starting point of a series of lessons for the students to learn about weather on earth and the whole lesson is divided into three parts. Students will begin by exploring various weather phenomena they have encountered through discussion, which leads to the definition of weather. Then they will brainstorm and present the factors that cause different types of weather and their impact on people’s daily life and human society. Finally they will learn about the concept of weather forecast and various ways of related application, including using artificial tools and through observation of natural phenomena etc. The homework of this lesson aims at either giving the students an opportunity to further explore the concepts covered in the class, or training of their analytic thinking skills by collecting weather related data and perform data analysis. 
Vocabulary:
Next Generation Science Standards:
 
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Performance Expectations
PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
K-PS3-1. Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface
ESS2.D: Weather and Climate
K-PS3-2. Use tools and materials to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area
ESS3.B: Natural Hazards
K-ESS2-1. Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time
ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting an Engineering Problem
K-ESS3-2. Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather
 
3-ESS2-1. Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season
 
3-ESS2-2. Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world
 
3-ESS3-1. Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard
Objectives:
1.     Students will learn about common global and local weather phenomena.
2.     Students will learn the basic concept of weather and its impact on human society.
3.     Students will know the major factors that affect the weather.
4.     Students will learn about basic knowledge on weather forecast.
 
Required Project Materials:
1.   Computer with internet access and projector to display multimedia contents to the whole class.
2.    Large poster board and markers for discussion and presentation.
3.    Task cards specifying the requirements of homework to be assigned to the students.
4.    Data sheets for the students to fill in for their homework.
Multimedia Materials:
1. Cloud and weather forecast (Video):  http://new-play.tudou.com/v/XMjA3Mzk5NTMyMA==.html?
2. China Weather Website: http://www.weather.com.cn/
3. Pictures and short video clips of weather phenomena: can be obtained through search engine such as Google or Baidu.
4.  "Weather", SuperScience STEM Instant Activities Grades 1-3, Scholastic.
Optional Multimedia Materials:
1. The term “weather”, related reading materials and references on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather
2. China Meteorological Administration website: http://www.cma.gov.cn/
3. World Meteorological Organization website: https://public.wmo.int/en
Before the Lesson/Background Information:
Proverb
English Translation
龟背潮,下雨兆
When a turtle’s back is wet, the rain is coming
喜鹊枝头叫,出门晴天报
Magpies singing on the tree, it’s a good to go out
天上乌云盖,大雨来得快
Dark cloud in the sky means rain is coming soon
蜻蜓低飞要下雨
Dragonfly flying low means the rain is coming soon
半夜东风起,明日好天气
Wind coming from east at midnight means good weather tomorrow
  1. Agriculture: a suitable amount of rain is good for crops to grow in farms. On the other hand, lack of rain or excessive amount of rain may cause drought or flood, in both cases crops may die and as a result agricultural production is affected. This is why farmers have great concerns about weather during their daily work. 
  2. Traffic: a common observation is that it is harder to travel between home and school during rainy days. In fact, rain, snow or fog all bring difficulty for people to travel on roads. Furthermore, storm and thunder bring danger to air traffic, typhoon and hurricane are enemies to ships traveling in the sea. People and traffic companies should adjust their traffic plan based on weather forecast results.
  3. Health issues: fog and haze are caused by small particles in the air, and are harmful to people's respiratory system. When exposed in extremely hot or cold environment, people may suffer from sunstroke or cold injuries. This is why people should be aware of the weather condition everyday to protect themselves. 
  4. Social security and stability: large scale extreme weather such as typhoons and hurricanes can cause severe damages to houses and roads to a city, and can take people's lives. Thus scientists must closely monitor the possible occurrence of such extreme weather (also called natural hazards) so that precautionary actions can be taken by the government.