Observe daily weather conditions. - Kindergarten Science

SECTION 1

Why Do People Watch the Weather?

People have always looked at the sky. They wanted to know what the weather would be like. That means they checked if it was sunny, rainy, or windy.

Knowing the weather helps us decide what to wear. It helps farmers grow food too!

Long Ago • Looking at the Sky

People looked up at clouds and the sun. They used their eyes to guess the weather.

Old Days • First Weather Tools

People made tools to measure rain. They caught rain in cups and measured it.

Modern • Weather Helpers Today

Now we have weather reports on TV. People called weather forecasters help us plan our day.

Here is a big question: How can YOU observe the weather each day? Let's find out together!

SECTION 2

What Is Weather?

Weather is what is happening outside right now. That means it is what the air and sky are doing today.

We use our senses to observe the weather. That means we look, listen, and feel what is going on outside.

Sunny

The sun is out. The sky looks bright and clear. It feels warm on your skin.

Cloudy

Clouds cover the sky. The sky looks gray or white. You cannot see the sun.

Rainy

Water falls from the clouds. You hear drops. The ground gets wet.

Windy

The air moves fast. You feel it on your face. Leaves and flags blow around.

Snowy

White flakes fall from the sky. It feels very cold. Snow covers the ground.

☀️

KEY TAKEAWAY

Think of weather like your outfit for the day. You pick your clothes by how the sky looks and how the air feels. If it is cold and rainy, you grab a coat. If it is warm and sunny, you wear shorts. Observing the weather helps you get ready for each day!

SECTION 3

A Picture of Weather Types

Let's look at a picture of different weather. Each kind of weather looks and feels different.

This picture shows five types of weather: sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy, and snowy. Each one looks different in the sky!

Look at each box. The sunny box has a bright sun. The cloudy box has puffy clouds. The rainy box has drops falling. The windy box has wavy lines. The snowy box has little white dots.

Can you point to the weather that matches today? Great job observing!

SECTION 4

How Do We Observe Weather?

Scientists use a special skill called observation. That means they look carefully and notice things. You can do this too!

Use Your Senses!

Your eyes help you see the sun and clouds. Your skin helps you feel if it is hot or cold. Your ears help you hear rain and thunder.

Ask Questions Like a Scientist!

✓ Is the sun out or are there clouds?
✓ Does the air feel warm or cold?
✓ Is it raining or snowing?
✓ Is the wind blowing?

When you ask these questions, you are doing what real scientists do. They ask questions and then look for answers. You are a weather scientist!

💡

Anchoring Phenomenon

Imagine you look outside in the morning. The sky is gray. Puddles are on the ground. Your window has water drops on it. What kind of weather do you observe? You used your eyes to see clues. The weather is rainy!

SECTION 5

Tracking Weather on a Chart

Scientists keep track of what they see. You can use a weather chart. That means a picture chart where you mark the weather each day.

This weather chart shows one week. We drew a picture for each day. Then we counted: 2 sunny days, 1 cloudy day, 1 rainy day, and 1 windy day. We can see a pattern!

When you mark the weather every day, you start to see a pattern. That means you notice things that happen again and again.

Maybe you see that it is sunny for many days in a row. Or maybe it rains a lot. Patterns help us know what weather might come next!

SECTION 6

Let's Observe Weather Together!

Let's pretend we are at school. It is morning. We go to the window to check the weather. Let's do it step by step!

Morning Weather Check

1
Step 1 — Look at the Sky

We look out the window. We see gray clouds covering the sky. We do not see the sun.

The sky is cloudy.
2
Step 2 — Feel the Air

We step outside for a moment. The air feels cool on our hands. It is not very warm today.

The temperature is cool.
3
Step 3 — Look for Rain or Snow

We look at the ground. It is dry. We do not see puddles. No rain is falling.

It is not raining or snowing.
4
Step 4 — Check for Wind

We look at the flag on the playground. It is hanging still. The leaves on the trees are not moving.

There is no wind today.
5
Step 5 — Record on Our Chart

We draw a cloud on our weather chart. We write that it is cool. We are weather scientists!

Today's weather: cloudy and cool.

Great job! You observed, asked questions, and recorded what you saw. That is exactly what scientists do!

SECTION 7

Tools and Senses for Weather

We can use our bodies or simple tools to check the weather. Let's compare them!

What to Check	Use Your Body	Use a Simple Tool
Is it sunny or cloudy?	Look at the sky with your eyes.	Draw what you see on a chart.
Is it hot or cold?	Feel the air on your skin.	Look at a thermometer.
Is it rainy?	Listen for rain. Look for puddles.	Put a cup outside to catch rain.
Is it windy?	Feel the air on your face.	Watch a flag or a windsock.

Ways to Observe Weather

👀

KEY TAKEAWAY

Your body is like a weather tool! Your eyes are like a camera for the sky. Your skin is like a thermometer for temperature. Your ears are like microphones for rain and thunder. You already have everything you need to observe weather!

SECTION 8

Weather Now and Weather Later

Right now, we are learning to observe weather. That means we look at what is happening today. As you grow, you will learn even more!

What We Learn Now	What We Learn Later
Is it sunny, cloudy, or rainy today?	Why does it rain? Where does rain come from?
Is it hot or cold outside?	How do we measure temperature with numbers?
The weather changes each day.	What are seasons? How do they change weather?
We draw weather on a chart.	We use graphs and data to track weather.

Weather Learning Journey

Right now, the most important thing is to look outside every day and notice what the weather is doing. Every observation you make is real science!

ℹ

Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

When we track weather over many days, we start to see patterns. That means things that happen over and over. Maybe it is sunny for many days. Maybe it rains every afternoon. Finding patterns is something scientists do in ALL kinds of science!

SECTION 9

Practice: Be a Weather Scientist!

Now it is your turn! Read each question about a child named Alex. Alex is looking out the window at the park. Try your best!

Question 1: CONCEPTUAL

Alex looks outside. The sky is bright blue and there are no clouds. The sun is shining. What kind of weather does Alex observe? A) Rainy B) Sunny C) Snowy

Show answer

B) Sunny! Alex sees a bright blue sky with no clouds. The sun is shining. Those are clues that the weather is sunny. Alex used eyes to observe the weather.

Question 2: BASIC OBSERVATION

Alex steps outside and feels the air. It feels very cold. Alex's hands feel chilly. Which sense is Alex using to learn about the weather? A) Hearing B) Sight C) Touch

Show answer

C) Touch! When Alex feels cold air on hands and skin, that is using the sense of touch. Our skin helps us feel if the weather is warm or cold. Touch is a great way to observe temperature.

Question 3: INTERMEDIATE

Alex sees dark gray clouds. Water drops are falling from the sky. Puddles are on the ground. The flag on the pole is hanging still. What TWO things can Alex say about the weather? A) It is rainy and windy. B) It is rainy and not windy. C) It is snowy and windy.

Show answer

B) It is rainy and not windy! Alex sees water falling, so it is rainy. The flag is hanging still, which means the air is not moving. There is no wind. Alex used two observations to describe the weather!

Question 4: APPLIED

Alex tracked the weather for 5 days at the park. Here is what Alex saw: Monday — sunny, Tuesday — sunny, Wednesday — rainy, Thursday — sunny, Friday — sunny. Which type of weather happened most often? A) Rainy B) Cloudy C) Sunny

Show answer

C) Sunny! Alex counted 4 sunny days and only 1 rainy day. Sunny weather happened most often. When we track weather over many days, we can find patterns. The pattern here is that most days were sunny.

Question 5: THINK AND SHARE

Alex wants to go to the park tomorrow. How could Alex use weather observations to get ready? Tell a grown-up or a friend what Alex should do. Think about what to look for and what to wear.

Show answer

Great thinking! Alex could look outside in the morning to observe the weather. If it is sunny, Alex could wear a hat and light clothes. If it is rainy, Alex could bring an umbrella and rain boots. If it is cold, Alex could wear a warm jacket. By observing the weather, Alex can be prepared and have fun at the park!

SUMMARY

What Did We Learn?

Summary

Weather is what the sky and air are doing outside right now. We can observe the weather by using our eyes, skin, and ears. We learned about five kinds of weather: sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy, and snowy.

We can use a weather chart to track the weather every day. When we do this, we start to see patterns. Scientists ask questions and make observations just like you. You are a weather scientist! Keep looking at the sky every day!