Meteorology for Kids: How to Observe and Forecast the Weather (Ages 7 to 8)

I will provide a printable weather log and possibly other printable materials. (NOTE: If learners cannot print at home, they can instead write on separate paper, refer to the document(s) on our classroom page, and benefit by observing during class.) In addition, here are the required and optional materials I anticipate:

REQUIRED: 

Pencil

Eraser

Colored pencils, crayons, or markers

Notebook (spiral or composition book) to take notes and make drawings; or loose sheets of paper and a folder or binder

OPTIONAL (to assemble weather station components): 

thermometer (with a glass tube safely encased in plastic or metal)

2 push pins

2 pencils with attached erasers (can be unsharpened)

index card (or plastic school folder you no longer need)

4 drinking straws (paper or plastic, but 1 must be plastic if using a plastic school folder – see above)

white glue (or hot glue gun – to be handled only by an adult – if using a plastic straw and a plastic school folder)

balloon (to be kept away from small children)

scissors 

rubber band

empty small can (without sharp edges remaining) or small glass jar (parent supervision recommended for younger children)

piece of corrugated cardboard (a bit larger than a medium or large paper plate, or at least 2 inches wider than the length of a straw) 

square of corrugated cardboard (8 to 12 inches in diameter)

paper plate (at least 2 inches larger than the length of a straw)

ruler

protractor

Sharpie (black, or up to 4 dark-colored Sharpies)

large paper or plastic cup

4 small paper cups (like the ones people use in the bathroom)

tape (mailing, packing, or regular transparent)

Optional materials the learner might work with that are potentially hazardous are: A glass jar, a pushpin, a thermometer containing a glass tube, a balloon, a rubber band, an empty small can (I strongly prefer without sharp edges remaining, but please be aware if there are), and scissors. An occasional hole may have to be punched through corrugated cardboard as well. For these optional activities, I will leave it up to your parental discretion as to whether to allow your child to handle each item during class. Furthermore, because a balloon is one of the items on the supply list, if you have children at home that are significantly younger than the age level for this class, I will leave it up to you to ensure that the balloon and any pieces of it that may be removed by cutting remain inaccessible to those younger children. Any of these aforementioned materials are of particular concern around younger children, of course. On a small portion of one of the weather instruments, there is an option to use a hot glue gun, which I expect an adult or teen would operate, unless your child is of sufficient age or has proven to be experienced enough that you trust the child to operate it. Thanks!