Uncover Winter Weather! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will identify characteristics of winter weather and examine commonly asked questions about it.

 

Science Focus:

winter weather

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, nonfiction text features, informative writing

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a U.S. map

 

Vocabulary:

crystals, condense, algae

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5 use text features; RI.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.2 write informative texts; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level:

K

 

Lexile level:

490L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on ice, snow, and winter weather.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “What Do You Know About Snow?” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is the coolest thing you learned about snow?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured terms are crystals,

condense, and algae.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Ask students to consider what they already know about winter weather: Where does it snow? When does it snow?Have you ever seen snow?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on the cover: “Think about the things winter weather can do.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

  • Use the online game show to gauge comprehension and reinforce the issue’s content. Students can play by themselves or in teams. For each question they answer correctly, they win a point.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words crystals, condense, and algae.

Editor’s Pick: Caption Writing (15 min.)

  • Caption This! lets students play magazine editor by writing captions for pictures of winter weather.

ELA Focus: Informative Writing (15 min.)

  • The Cool Facts About Winter Weather skill sheet asks students to write six facts about winter weather, one for each side of a snowflake! When they’re done, hang their work to make a wintery display.

Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on winter weather:

  • Frozen in Ice,  January 2021. This explores how freezing weather and water combine to cover a lighthouse in ice.
  • Wild, Wild Wind, March 2018. This issue details the amazing— and sometimes devastating—effects of wind.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher Lexile level: 530L
  • Lower Lexile level: 440L