Weather Wonders Start

Grade: 5th Grade

Duration: 30 minutes

Class Size: 14 students

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Standards Alignment

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) 5-ESS2-1 (Aligned with Common Core Literacy Standards):

• MS-ESS2-5: Collect data to provide evidence for how weather changes over time.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions on grade 5 topics and texts with peers.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.7: Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources to locate an answer.

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Learning Objectives ("I Can" Statements)

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• I can identify different weather phenomena by watching a science video.
• I can express what I see, think, and wonder about weather through group discussion.
• I can ask questions and brainstorm ideas related to how weather can be predicted.

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Materials Needed

• Projector and screen for video
• Pre-selected engaging video on weather phenomena (~7 minutes)
• "See, Think, Wonder" graphic organizer (one per student)
• Chart paper or whiteboard for brainstorming
• Sticky notes or index cards

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Lesson Procedure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Hook: Begin with the driving question written visibly:

  "How can we predict the weather?"

• Briefly explain that over the next 5 lessons, they will explore weather patterns and learn how scientists predict weather.
• Share the "I can" statements with the class and connect them to today’s activities.

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2. Video Viewing (7 minutes)

• Show a captivating, age-appropriate video on different weather phenomena—clouds, rain, thunderstorms, snow, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
• Encourage students to watch carefully and think about what they see.

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3. See, Think, Wonder Activity (10 minutes)

• Distribute the "See, Think, Wonder" graphic organizer:

See	Think	Wonder

• Instructions:

  • See: Write or draw what they saw in the video (e.g., clouds, rain).
  • Think: Write what they think about the weather phenomena (e.g., “I think storms are dangerous.”).
  • Wonder: Write questions they have about the weather (e.g., “I wonder how hurricanes form?”).

• Circulate and assist students as needed, providing sentence starters for struggling writers (differentiation).

• For ELL students, provide visuals and collaborate with a partner for shared writing.

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4. Group Brainstorming on Predicting Weather (6 minutes)

• Facilitate a class discussion:
  • Ask students to share their "Wonder" questions aloud.
  • Record ideas on chart paper or whiteboard under the heading "How can we predict the weather?"
• Encourage ideas related to observation, instruments (thermometers, barometers), patterns, and nature signs.
• Link back to the driving question to emphasize relevance.

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5. Closure and Reflection (2 minutes)

• Invite a few students to share something new they learned or a question they still have.
• Remind students that these questions will guide their learning in the upcoming lessons.
• Preview next lesson: "Exploring Weather Instruments."

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Assessment

• Collect and review the "See, Think, Wonder" graphic organizers for understanding and thoughtfulness.
• Informal assessment during class discussion and brainstorming based on participation and relevance of questions.

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Differentiation Strategies

Learner Profile	Differentiation Strategy
English Language Learners (ELL)	Pair with a buddy; use visuals and sentence stems such as "I see...", "I think...", "I wonder..."
Students with writing difficulties	Allow drawing responses; provide graphic organizer with fill-in-the-blank prompts
Advanced learners	Challenge to come up with more detailed questions during the "Wonder" phase or research one question at home
Students with Attention Difficulties	Provide chunked instructions and movement breaks during transitions (e.g., stand/stretch after video)

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Monitor student engagement during video and discussion to tailor pacing in future lessons.
• Note which weather phenomena sparked most curiosity to deepen exploration.
• Reflect on effectiveness of "See, Think, Wonder" for building curiosity and critical thinking.

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This highly interactive and visual introduction to weather aligns with Common Core and NGSS standards, using discussion and questioning strategies to build foundational scientific thinking skills appropriate to fifth graders.