UNIT PLAN
Grade Level:
Unit #:
Unit Name:
4
2
Weather
Big Idea/Theme: Weather changes and their phenomena affect us and our
environment.
Culminating Assessment:
Working in pairs, research and create a weather newspaper. The newspaper must
include the following:
Subheadings:
1) The Water Cycle
2)Types of Clouds and Cloud Formation
3) Daily and Seasonal Weather Changes
4) Sever Weather and Safety
5) Data Collection and Tools
Photographs and Captions
Diagrams
Weather Forecast Section
*It is suggested to assign the newspaper at the beginning of the unit and complete
sections as topics are finished in class.
Newspapers can be created using Microsoft Publisher (or similar program) if the
teacher wishes to integrate technology into the unit. **Optional template can be
found on the O-drive in the Science curriculum and lesson plans for District Two
folder  4th Grade folder  Culminating Assessments folder titled, Weather
Newspaper Template (also included is optional Weather Newspaper Rubric).
Unit Understanding(s)
Students will understand that…
The processes of the water cycle can
be summarized.
Clouds can be classified according to
the three basic types.
Clouds are formed by natural
processes.
Daily and seasonal changes in weather
conditions and patterns can be
compared.
The conditions and effects of severe
weather phenomena and related safety
concerns can be summarized.
Proper procedures for data collecting
and measuring weather conditions by
Unit Essential Question(s):
How can the processes of the water
cycle be summarized?
How can clouds be classified
according to the three basic types?
How are clouds formed?
How can daily and seasonal changes
in weather conditions and patterns be
compared?
How can the conditions and effects of
severe weather phenomena and
related safety concerns be
summarized?
What are the procedures for data
collecting and measuring weather
using appropriate tools and instruments
must be used followed.
Weather can be predicted from data
collected through observation and
measurements.
conditions by using appropriate tools
and instruments?
How can weather be predicted from
data collected through observation
and measurements?
Students will know… / Students will be able to…
Summarize the processes of the water cycle (including evaporation, condensation,
precipitation, and runoff).
Classify clouds according to their three basic types (cumulus, cirrus, and stratus)
and summarize how clouds form (condensation).
Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions (including wind speed
and direction, precipitation, and temperature) and patterns.
Summarize the conditions and effects of severe weather phenomena (including
thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes) and related safety concerns.
Carry out the procedures for accurate data collecting and measuring weather
conditions (including wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature) by
using appropriate tools and instruments (anemometer, wind vane, rain gauge,
thermometer).
Predict weather from qualitative and quantitative data collected through
observations, measurements, and other sources such as professional
meteorologists and weather maps.
South Carolina Academic Standards:
4-4.1 Summarize the processes of the water cycle (including evaporation,
condensation, precipitation, and runoff).
4-4.2 Classify clouds according to their three basic types (cumulus, cirrus, and
stratus) and summarize how clouds form.
4-4.3 Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions (including wind
speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature) and patterns.
4-4.4 Summarize the conditions and effects of severe weather phenomena (including
thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes) and related safety concerns.
4-4.5 Carry out the procedures for data collecting and measuring weather conditions
(including wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature) by using
appropriate tools and instruments.
4-4.6 Predict weather from data collected through observation and Measurements.
Vocabulary:
Weather cycle
Evaporation
Water vapor
Condensation
Dew
Precipitation
Runoff
Wind direction
Cumulus
Cirrus
Stratus
Temperature
Thermometer
Wind speed
Anemometer
Wind vane
Precipitation
Rain gauge
Thunderstorm
Tornado
Hurricane
Fronts
Interim Assessment (formative)
Exit Slips
Individual and Group Activities
Note booking
Questioning
Quizzes
Teacher Observations
Key Criteria (to meet the standard/rubric)
Due to integration of culminating assessment, rubric can serve as both Science and
ELA assessments.
Category
4
Requirements
Project includes all
requirements as well as
additional information.
Weather Newspaper Rubric
3
2
1
Project includes all
requirements.
Project includes all but 1
of the requirements
included.
Several requirements
are missing.
Attractiveness
The newspaper is
exceptionally attractive
in terms of layout,
design and neatness.
The newspaper is
attractive in terms of
layout, design and
neatness.
The newspaper is
acceptably attractive
though it may be
somewhat messy.
The newspaper is
distractingly messy, very
poorly designed, or
unattractive in terms of
layout.
Grammar
There are no
grammatical mistakes in
the newspaper.
There is 1 grammatical
error in the newspaper.
There are 3 grammatical
errors in the newspaper.
There are more than 5
grammatical errors in
the newspaper.
Mechanics
Capitalization and
punctuation are correct
throughout the
newspaper.
There is 1 error in
capitalization or
punctuation throughout
the newspaper.
There are 2 errors in
capitalization or
punctuation throughout
the newspaper.
There more than 2
errors in capitalization or
punctuation throughout
the newspaper.
Content-Accuracy
More than 5 accurate
facts are included in
each section.
Total
Points
4-5 accurate facts are
2-3 accurate facts are
included in each section. included in each section.
Grade
Less than 2 accurate
facts are included in
each section.