Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: Classroom Meteorologist

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): First grade

Content Standard Addressed:

S1E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate weather data to identify weather patterns.

c. Plan and carry out investigations on current weather conditions by observing, measuring with
simple weather instruments (thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge), and recording weather
data (temperature, precipitation, sky conditions, and weather events) in a periodic journal, on
a calendar, and graphically

Technology Standard Addressed: 3 - Knowledge Constructor

Selected Technology Tool:

BrainPop

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

https://www.brainpop.com/science/weather/weather/

Type of Instructional Software:

☐ Drill and Practice X Tutorial ☐ Simulation ☐ Instructional Game ☐ e-books/e-references

Features of this software (check all that apply):

☐ Assessment Monitoring/Reporting
☐ Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students
☐ Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in the class
☐ Multi-user or collaborative with others outside the class
X Accessible to students beyond the school day
X Accessible via mobile devices
X Multiple languages
X Safety, security and/or privacy features

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

X Remembering X Understanding X Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion X Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

For hearing impaired learners, BrainPop has closed captioning available, as well as the ability to listen
through headphones. It allows students to pause and rewind if they miss something, and it is available
anytime the student would like to review it. The quiz allows for students to test their knowledge and see how

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well they understand the content without it counting against them if they do poorly. Spanish versions of the
videos are available for ESL learners as well.
Lesson idea implementation:
After being taught about the different aspects of weather (rain, snow, hot, cold, sunny, etc.) and watching
daily weather reports on the news, the children will view the BrainPop video as a recap on the lesson before
the activity. After the video, the class will take the quiz all together with the teacher. The students will then
be given a thermometer and a wind vane. The teacher will take the students outside to observe the weather.
Students will be asked to take note of their surroundings. Is it cloudy or sunny? What is the temperature?
What is the wind like? The teacher may need to assist the students as they use their weather instruments.
Students will be asked to use the information they collected to create a presentation in which they will
pretend that they are a meteorologist on the news.
The teacher will assess the students' mastery of the topic through observing them from start to finish.
Were they able to accurately describe the weather with the vocabulary they were taught? Were they able to
share this information with their peers?
Reflective Practice:
If the school has some sort of school news program, the teacher could reach out about students sharing
weather reports with the rest of the school. This is a great incentive for students to really understand the
concepts their learned as well as work on their presentation skills.

Spring 2018_SJB