Elementary, Science

Rain and precipitation

4

Students will use a rain gauge to measure the amount of rain for four weeks.

Students will create an Excel worksheet documenting their recorded data.

Students will create a graph using their data in Excel.

Students will compare their measurements with measurements from another source (i.e. weather.com).

Students will graph both sets of measurements.

Students will use a rain gauge to measure the amount of rainfall for four weeks. They will record their data in an Excel spreadsheet and create a graph using their data.

This lesson plan goes into learning about precipitation. It focuses on rain and how to measure rainfall.

1.) Put students in groups of three.
2.) Pass out a rain gauge to each group.
3.) Using masking tape have the students write their names on the rain gauge.
3.) Take students outside to hang their rain gauges on the classroom window.
4.) Come back into the classroom.
5.) Take students to the computer lab to explain how to use Excel and create a spreadsheet.
6.) Come back to the classroom.
7.) Measure the amount of rainfall Monday through Friday for four weeks. Do this at the end of the day before students go home.
8.) The teacher will use www.weather.com as another source to compare data with.
9.) Have students record their data in the Excel worksheet.
10.) After four weeks, once the data is all collected, take the students back to the computer lab.
11.) Students will create a graph of their data recordings.

Melissa will need help seeing the measurements on the rain gauge because she cannot see small text.

Students will work collaboratively. Students will work in groups of 2.

25 class periods. 25 Min. per class.

Students could make their own rain gauges instead of providing one for them.