Activity Overview
Storyboard That is a great way for students to organize observations about the weather. In this activity, students will create a weather journal for a full week. This is a great activity to complete and share your results with other schools in your country, or even around the world using some app smashing!
Students can upload their own photos of the weather into the storyboards and describe them, or they can use the scenes and items on Storyboard That. In addition, to create visualizations of what the weather looks like, students can also create illustrations of measurements they have taken. Students can take the following measurements about atmospheric conditions and add them to their diaries.
- Air Pressure - Air pressure is measured using a barometer, often using the unit millibar.
- Temperature - Temperature can be measured using a thermometer. Temperature can fluctuate throughout the day, so the average temperature can be measured, or maximum and minimum temperatures can be recorded.
- Amount of Precipitation - This is measured as the amount of water that has fallen. It is normally recorded in a graduated cylinder in millimeters.
- Cloud Coverage - This is a measure of how much of the sky is covered by clouds. It is measured in Okta and ranges from 0, meaning completely clear skies, to 8, meaning the sky is completely cloudy.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a weather journal that describes the local weather over a school week.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the columns as the days of the week. Add more columns if necessary.
- In the first row, record the amount of precipitation that fell and create an illustration to aid understanding.
- In the second row, record the temperature and create an illustration to aid understanding.
- In the third row, create a visualization of what the weather was like using scenes, props, and characters, or find a photo on Photos for Class. Alternatively, take a picture of the weather and upload it to Storyboard That!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 16 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illustration | Every day has an image correctly representing the weather | Most days have an image correctly representing the weather | Some days have an image correctly representing the weather |
| Descriptions | All the days have a clear description which contain good scientific vocabulary and details of atmospheric conditions. | Most days have a clear description which contain good scientific vocabulary and details of atmospheric conditions. | Some days have a clear description which contain good scientific vocabulary and details of atmospheric conditions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
Storyboard That is a great way for students to organize observations about the weather. In this activity, students will create a weather journal for a full week. This is a great activity to complete and share your results with other schools in your country, or even around the world using some app smashing!
Students can upload their own photos of the weather into the storyboards and describe them, or they can use the scenes and items on Storyboard That. In addition, to create visualizations of what the weather looks like, students can also create illustrations of measurements they have taken. Students can take the following measurements about atmospheric conditions and add them to their diaries.
- Air Pressure - Air pressure is measured using a barometer, often using the unit millibar.
- Temperature - Temperature can be measured using a thermometer. Temperature can fluctuate throughout the day, so the average temperature can be measured, or maximum and minimum temperatures can be recorded.
- Amount of Precipitation - This is measured as the amount of water that has fallen. It is normally recorded in a graduated cylinder in millimeters.
- Cloud Coverage - This is a measure of how much of the sky is covered by clouds. It is measured in Okta and ranges from 0, meaning completely clear skies, to 8, meaning the sky is completely cloudy.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a weather journal that describes the local weather over a school week.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the columns as the days of the week. Add more columns if necessary.
- In the first row, record the amount of precipitation that fell and create an illustration to aid understanding.
- In the second row, record the temperature and create an illustration to aid understanding.
- In the third row, create a visualization of what the weather was like using scenes, props, and characters, or find a photo on Photos for Class. Alternatively, take a picture of the weather and upload it to Storyboard That!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 16 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illustration | Every day has an image correctly representing the weather | Most days have an image correctly representing the weather | Some days have an image correctly representing the weather |
| Descriptions | All the days have a clear description which contain good scientific vocabulary and details of atmospheric conditions. | Most days have a clear description which contain good scientific vocabulary and details of atmospheric conditions. | Some days have a clear description which contain good scientific vocabulary and details of atmospheric conditions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Weather Journal
Incorporate cross-curricular connections with weather journaling
Link weather journals to other subjects by encouraging students to create poems, write narratives, or make math graphs using their weather data. This helps students see how weather observations connect to real-world skills and other areas of learning.
Guide students to research local climate patterns
Encourage students to compare their week’s weather data to historical averages for your area. This builds research skills and deepens understanding of how daily weather fits into broader climate trends.
Facilitate classroom discussion about weather impacts
Lead a discussion on how weather affects daily activities, safety, and local events. Students can brainstorm and share stories, promoting critical thinking and connecting science to their own lives.
Encourage students to present weather findings creatively
Have students create posters, digital slideshows, or short videos summarizing what they learned from their weather journals. This reinforces communication skills and boosts confidence in sharing scientific observations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Weather Journal
How can students create a simple weather journal for a school week?
Students can create a weather journal by recording daily observations such as temperature, precipitation, and cloud coverage. Using tools like Storyboard That, they can label each day, add measurements, upload photos, and create visual illustrations for each weather element.
What measurements should be included in a K-12 weather journal activity?
A comprehensive weather journal should include air pressure (measured with a barometer), temperature (with a thermometer), amount of precipitation (in millimeters), and cloud coverage (using Okta).
What is the best way to visualize weather data for students?
The best way to visualize weather data is by combining charts, illustrations, and photos. Students can use scenes, props, or upload their own images in Storyboard That to clearly show their weather observations and measurements.
How can teachers facilitate sharing weather journals between schools?
Teachers can encourage students to share weather journals digitally by exporting storyboards or using app smashing techniques. Sharing can happen via email, classroom platforms, or collaborative apps with students from other schools locally or globally.
Why is it useful for students to record both measurements and illustrations in weather journals?
Combining measurements and illustrations helps students better understand weather patterns by connecting data to real-world visuals. This dual approach supports deeper learning and makes weather concepts more accessible and engaging.
More Storyboard That Activities
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