Lesson Plan
Winter Weather Week Day 2: Today's Temperature
- Grades: PreK–K, 1–2
- Unit Plan:
Overview
Children learn about freezing temperatures and practice taking them. They also write about a personal experience with weather.
Objective
Students will:
- Write about a weather experience
- Learn about thermometers and freezing point
- Practice taking temperature readings with a thermometer
Materials
- Thermometer
- Today's Temperature Record Sheet (PDF)
Set Up and Prepare
- Choose a location for the classroom thermometer.
- Print out a Today's Temperature Record Sheet (PDF) for each child.
Directions
- Review with children some of the winter weather words that they learned yesterday. Ask them what it feels like when they go outside during winter. Lead children to understand that during the winter it is cold outside.
- Ask if any children have seen or used a thermometer. Ask if they know what it feels like outside when the temperature is 70°? When it is 30°? Explain that a thermometer measures the temperature of the air outside.
- Show children a thermometer. Point out its parts and discuss its purpose. Explain to children that the freezing point is at 32º. This means that any water outside will turn to ice when the temperature is at, or below, 32°.
- Place a thermometer outside the classroom window (or in some other easily accessible location).
- At the same time every day, read the thermometer with children. Model for children how to record the temperature on the record sheet.
- Ask children if today's temperature is above or below the freezing point.
- Ask children what they think the temperature might be on a winter day. Have them explain their answers. Ask, what temperature does it have to be before it can snow? (32°)
Reproducibles
- Subjects:Curriculum Development, Vocabulary, Writing, Measurement, Early Science, Science Experiments and Projects, Observation, Winter, Winter Themes
- Skills:Charts and Graphs, Science, Vocabulary, Writing
- Duration:1 Day

