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Session 10: Weather Science 🌦️

Overview

Grades: 3-4 | Duration: 40 minutes | Session: 10 of 17

Students explore weather science, building simple weather instruments and understanding God's design in atmospheric systems.

Session 10: Weather Science

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Identify key weather measurements

  • Build a simple weather instrument

  • Understand the water cycle

  • Appreciate God's design in weather systems

Session 10: Weather Science

Materials Needed

  • 📦 Weather instrument materials

  • 🌡️ Thermometers (for reference)

  • 📊 Weather tracking sheets

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 📸 Water cycle diagrams

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

Elijah the Prophet — Prayed for rain and God answered. Weather reminds us of God's power and provision!

Scripture

"He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain." — Psalm 147:8

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you control the wind and rain. Thank you for the weather that waters the earth and sustains life. Help us understand your amazing design. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (6 minutes)

  1. Weather Wonder:
  2. "Weather affects everything we do!"
  3. Farmers, pilots, sailors, athletes—all watch weather
  4. Weather Measurements:
  5. 🌡️ Temperature — How hot or cold
  6. 💧 Precipitation — Rain, snow, hail
  7. 💨 Wind — Speed and direction
  8. ☁️ Clouds — Types predict weather
  9. Water Cycle:
  10. Evaporation → Condensation → Precipitation → Collection
  11. God designed a perfect recycling system!

Main Activity: Weather Station (26 minutes)

Part 1: Water Cycle Exploration (6 minutes)

  • Review water cycle diagram

  • "Where is water RIGHT NOW in the cycle?"

  • God's design: Water is never destroyed, just moved!

Part 2: Build Weather Instruments (16 minutes)

Choose ONE to build:

Option A: Rain Gauge

  • Clear container (cup or bottle)

  • Mark measurements on side

  • Collect and measure precipitation

  • Place outside to track rainfall

Option B: Wind Vane

  • Pencil with eraser, pin

  • Cardstock arrow shape

  • Pin through arrow into eraser

  • Arrow points where wind comes FROM

Option C: Anemometer (Wind Speed)

  • 4 small cups on straws

  • Attached to pencil center

  • Count spins to estimate wind speed

Option D: Barometer (Simple)

  • Jar with balloon stretched over top

  • Straw attached pointing to scale

  • Rising/falling shows pressure changes

Part 3: Test & Record (4 minutes)

  • Test instruments outside if possible

  • Record initial observations

  • Predict tomorrow's weather!

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Draw your weather instrument (label parts)
  2. Draw and label the water cycle
  3. Today's weather observation
  4. Write: "God designed weather to..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Instrument Share — How does yours work?
  2. Weather Appreciation — "Why is weather important?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for rain that grows food and sun that warms us. Help us appreciate your provision in all kinds of weather. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Named weather measurements

  • Understood water cycle

  • Built functional instrument

  • Connected weather to God's design

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Simpler instrument (rain gauge)

  • Pre-made parts to assemble

  • Partner work

For Advanced Students

  • Build multiple instruments

  • Create weather forecast

  • Research extreme weather

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Track weather for a week using your instrument! Watch weather forecasts—what do meteorologists measure? Look at clouds and predict weather. Discuss how weather affects your family's activities.

Teacher Notes

  • Instruments work best with ongoing tracking

  • Connect to classroom weather calendar

  • Consider school weather station project

  • MN weather provides great variety!

Previous: Session 9 — Catholic Scientists
Next: Session 11 — Lenten Engineering