Empathize
Students will explore the Essential Question "What can we learn from the weather?" by experiencing weather through movement, interviewing real users about how weather changes their play, and creating empathy maps grounded in real quotes and observations. They will practice listening, speaking, drawing, and early writing skills while documenting user needs that will guide their design work in the next phase.
Days 1 - 2
5 min over capacity (40 min available across 2 days)
Weather Movement Makers: Learn Weather Actions
Knowledge/Skill Building 25m
Rhythm, Rhyme, and Weather Words
Knowledge/Skill Building 20m
Define
Students will synthesize their weather interviews and observations into clear, child-friendly problem statements that name a real user, a specific need, and evidence from research. They will identify patterns across empathy maps, co-create a shared How Might We question, and refine it through peer critique before moving into ideation.
Days 3 - 4
50 min over capacity (40 min available across 2 days)
Weather Journals and Dance Rehearsal
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
Weather Pattern Planning with Natural Materials
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
Ideate
Students will generate many possible solutions to help kindergarteners understand daily weather and choose safe, fun outdoor play. They will use movement, drawing, and structured choice tools to explore diverse ideas before selecting top concepts grounded in real user needs from earlier empathy work.
Days 5 - 6
10 min over capacity (40 min available across 2 days)
Collaborative Weather Mural Sketch
Knowledge/Skill Building 50m
Weather Idea Booklets
Deliverable
Prototype
Students will build and refine low- and medium-fidelity prototypes of their Interactive Weather Mural panels and movement demonstrations, test them with real users, document feedback through drawings and teacher scribing, and revise based on evidence before moving to final testing and presentation.
Days 7 - 9
30 min over capacity (60 min available across 3 days)
Prototype Weather Murals with Natural Materials
Knowledge/Skill Building 50m
Mini-Weather Journals: Observe and Reflect
Knowledge/Skill Building 40m
Prototype Weather Murals
Deliverable
Test/Present
Students will validate their Interactive Weather Mural and weather-movement performances with new users, revise based on real feedback, and present their full design story—from empathy research to final prototype—at the Nature’s Weather Gallery.
Days 10 - 12
35 min over capacity (60 min available across 3 days)
Weather Murals Presentation with Peer Feedback
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
Gallery Readiness: Final Labels and Rehearsal
Knowledge/Skill Building 50m
Weather Gallery Showcase
Assessment