1. Ask the students when they think the best time to observe the weather
is. (Some may say the first thing in the morning and the last thing at
night, others may say periodically throughout the day and still others
may not have an opinion)
2. Help them think about how quickly the weather
can change and the need to constantly pay attention to their environment.
Explain that one
of
the goals of the weather unit is for them to become keen observers of
their world and that one of the ways they will do this is by keeping
a
journal. Let them know that they can record as much information as they'd
like in their journals including weather sayings or predictions they
hear,
pictures, feelings, or community actions. At a minimum they should:
« observe the weather everyday on their way to
school and record their observations in class first thing in the
morning and;
« observe the weather at mid-day and record information.
3. After each journal entry, hold a short class discussion of what was
noticed and what they think it means. Key aspects of this discussion can
be entered in the class weather log.
4. Collect student journals on a weekly/biweekly basis and respond to
their entries (EA).
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