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Teaching is more effective when utilised in an environment which allows authentic learning to take place. Our authentic learning environment is simply outside, by having students record and observe various aspects of the weather throughout a six week period (preferably during winter), and also reflect on and use the data to predict possible weather patterns their understanding of the links between all aspects clouds, rain, wind will solidify and understanding of the topic will increase.

Some activities students could perform would be to predict the weather over a short span of time 1-3 days in advance and then measure themselves if they were correct, take pictures of different clouds and compare, make correlations between rain fall and heat, and the list is easily expandable. The weather is a very broad topic and with some creativity and exploration in teaching methods it can be hands on, fun, ongoing class activity for students. This level of basic weather analysis is mainly based at younger primary age students but can be adapted to higher levels.

Suggested lesson schedule

__**Week 1:**__ This Lesson will be an introduction class, focused on familiarising students with the main aspects of the weather and why it is important. The teacher is required instruct students on how to set up measuring apparatus and excel spreadsheets to contain information being collected over the semester.

**Lesson Time:** 1 hour.

**Resources:** Rain measuring beakers, Permanent marker, Camera, Excel Spreadsheet/computer, student journals.


 * Lesson content: **
 * 1) The Teacher will need to introduce the topic of weather, this will have to cover all aspects being measured without giving away too much information of the links between them.
 * 2) A Demonstration of how each aspect will be measured, setting up rain collection and temperature measurement including what online resources are available for the class to gather weather information to complete their tables. A section outside of the classroom should be selected for outdoor group activity. Preparation for this lesson is required. The teacher is required to supply students a camera, measuring apparatus, access to computers to utilise excel and online weather resources. A good idea would be to have a range of sites that different student groups can utilise.

__**Week 2 - 4:**__ At the start of each school day student groups are given time to measure weather variables and record their findings, as well as take digital images of the sky and clouds for further use in class. Following this task students are required to write their observations in their Journals as well as inputting data into their weather tables.

**Lesson time:** 1 hour.

**Resources:** Student journals, digital cameras (preferably 1 per group, however if there are not enough camera’s turns can be taken. If there are excess resources each student can have their own camera)

__**Week 5:**__ Over this week the learning task will be PowerPoint Production. The teacher will be required to give examples and teach students how to use PowerPoint. As this is an advanced feature of Microsoft Office and you are working with young children a thorough explanation and class support is vital. The children may also like to use Microsoft Excel to put graphs or other data in to their PowerPoint. There should be a step by step example with lots of opportunity for students to work on example presentations to make sure they grasp the key points.

**Lesson Time:** 1-2 hours.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Resources:** Example PowerPoint Presentation and computer access for students.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">__**Week 6:**__ Completed PowerPoints will be presented to the class. Graphs and weather statistics taken should be included in the presentation. It should be based around links they have found in the weather and if their predictions were correct. This allows students to not only learn about weather links and how to use weather forecasting sites and excel but also how to use other technologies. Such as a digital Camera and PowerPoint, each presentation should be 2-3 minutes in total working in groups is preferred.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Lesson time:** 1-2 hours.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Resources:** Gathered information and computer with PowerPoint software.