Weather Lesson: Music and Art
Lesson Plan
45 minutesGrades1Visual and Performing Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Kelly Stone, Sustainable Jersey for Schools
About this lesson
Students learn about extreme weather and the sounds associated with it and create a weather instrument.
Inquire: Students look at extreme weather patterns and share how weather impacts their community.
Investigate: Students learn different kinds of extreme weather and pick one to draw.
Inspire: Students use art and imagination to create weather instruments mimicking a specific kind of weather.
Preview the lesson plan
Better on a bigger screen? Open it in its own tab.View Lesson Plan
Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught during a science unit on weather, a language arts unit on nonfiction text, or in collaboration with a music class exploring percussion sounds.
- This lesson reinforces skills of collaboration and teamwork.
- This lesson can be used during the fall or spring months in connection to current weather, such as hurricane season in the fall or rainy weather in the spring.
- This lesson includes multiple avenues for artistic representation, from sketching and drawing to the creation of a 3D instrument.
Prerequisites
- This lesson is 2 of 3 in our 1st grade Performing Arts Weather Unit.
- A basic understanding of weather, such as rain, wind, and snow, is required.
- Teachers should be aware of students’ experiences or displacement due to extreme weather and be mindful of any anxiety this discussion may cause. Teachers can provide space for students to share their feelings verbally or through drawing.
- Teacher should review and select videos from the Nat Geo Kids Series Wonder About Weather | Nat Geo Kids Weather Playlist. Teachers can select videos reflecting extreme weather in their particular state or region.
- Prior to the lesson, collect recycled items such as empty and clean plastic bottles, paper towel tubes, lentils or beans, small pasta, rice, pebbles, and aluminum foil.
Differentiation
- Extension activities include creating a Weather Collage: Have students create collages using different materials (e.g., tissue paper, cotton balls, yarn) to depict various weather conditions (sunny day, rainy day, snowy day).
- Scaffolding support can include having the materials pre-gathered for students. In addition, students can work in smaller teams of 2 students to support learning.
- For enrichment, consider engaging students in creating posters or digital artwork that promote awareness about local weather patterns and climate change issues in their community. Include Indigenous perspectives and solutions.
From the scientist review
Students will study weather and climate and use art to convey the effects of catastrophic weather occurrences and their remedies. After reviewing the lesson, we found that it passed our credibility check in science.
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
About the teacher writers
Kelly Stone
K-5 STEM Teacher
Kelly Stone holds a Bachelor's degree in P–3 Early Childhood Education from The Catholic University of America and a Master's degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Nebraska Kearney. She has 25 years of experience in elementary education and currently specializes in STEM instruction for grades K–5. Kelly holds a Supervisor Certification from Caldwell University and an Environmental Sustainability Education Certification from The College of New Jersey.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future.
