Room 504 recently completed a unit on weather. The students learned many important terms associated with this unit as well as performed experiments, viewed power points, read books about specific types of weather and explored various tools and instruments utilized. The class learned many facts about snow and produced a hallway bulletin board to showcase their knowledge. The display included specific terms, an all about snow flip book and a visual depicting how to dress for this weather. Although we looked forward to a big snowfall, we were a bit disappointed but would have been prepared! The students also learned information about clouds and the different types of cloud formations through projects and simulations. Afterwards, the class learned about rain and the water cycle. They enjoyed performing experiments, such as the water cycle in a zip-lock bag, which we placed in the window to observe daily. The class closely watched the weather each day and graphed results as well as temperatures. Each week, students would predict the weather and at the end of the week find out who was correct. We also calculated the mean of temperatures and whether a mode occurred that week. Lastly, we had a special zoom presentation with an actual meteorologist, Jim Danco who is our class aide, Mrs. Danco’s son! Meteorologist Danco talked about his job at the National Weather Service and showed the students a few weather-related items. He followed up with a question-and-answer period and did his best to explain why we hadn’t gotten much snow. Sadhika also had an interesting question about Mr. Danco’s storm chasing experience. The class learned about dangerous types of weather and how they can stay safe and, of course, not to chase storms! We all listened attentively to his presentation and followed up with a thank you card for the time he had given to us.
The class went on to learn about windy weather and replaced our bulletin board with wind related items, vocabulary and facts. They learned the dangerous effects of wind and its effect on trees. However, we discovered one type of tree, the palm tree, that can stand up to the wind. We learned that this tree is very flexible and can bend, but not break, when strong winds blow. Afterwards, the students participated in a STEM challenge to create their own palm tree and add their own wind. Unfortunately, ours were not as sturdy!
At home, continue to help your child become more aware of the weather through observations, listening to the news and/or checking out local weather apps. on the computer. Have your child help decide what they should wear and what they might expect during the day/week. Lastly, if able, go out and enjoy the weather together. Perhaps you can take a walk or even fly a kite!
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