Students investigate why winter is cold, how weather changes across seasons, and how weather affects what people wear and do. Beginning with a weather mystery, they observe local conditions and sunlight’s effects using thermometers, rain gauges, wind socks, pictures, charts, and models to identify patterns over time. They ask how forecasts help communities prepare for severe weather and communicate practical safety and clothing choices. Students create a class weather book and share it with their weather wall, charts, drawings, models, and explanations during a Forecast Gallery Walk and Winter Wardrobe Showcase.

Students will observe and record local temperature, sunlight, wind, clouds, and precipitation using simple weather tools and a class weather wall. Students will use charts, pictures, and models to identify seasonal patterns and explain how less direct sunlight and fewer daylight hours contribute to colder winter weather. Students will ask questions about forecasts and describe how they help people choose clothing, plan activities, and prepare for severe weather. Students will create and share a class weather book with observations, drawings, clothing choices, and safety tips while listening and responding to classmates’ ideas.

Students will create daily weather records using pictures, temperature readings, and observations from simple tools, adding them to a class weather wall. They will make drawings and models that compare warm and cold conditions, show sunlight’s effect on surfaces, and identify seasonal weather patterns. Each student will contribute a page to a class book about how weather changes across seasons and affects what people wear and do. Small groups will create forecasts that explain expected weather and safe ways to prepare for severe conditions. Students will present their charts, models, book pages, and clothing choices during a Forecast Gallery Walk and Winter Wardrobe Showcase.

Begin with a “Weather Watch Mystery” by showing a winter photograph beside the view outside and asking students what they notice and wonder. Take a brief weather walk to observe sunlight, temperature, wind, and clouds using a thermometer and windsock, then add picture symbols to the class weather wall. Students choose clothing or activity picture cards for the conditions, explain their choices to a partner, and create the first illustrated page of a class weather book. Gather their questions about seasonal changes, winter cold, and how forecasts help people prepare for severe weather.

Host a Forecast Gallery Walk where students display the class weather wall, daily charts, drawings, temperature records, weather models, and a class-created weather book. In pairs, students share a page from the book, identify a weather pattern, and explain how sunlight, temperature, or seasonal changes affected local conditions. Conclude with a Winter Wardrobe Showcase in which students select clothing or activity pictures for different weather and explain their choices. Classmates and families can ask students how forecasts help people prepare for severe weather.