What's the Weather?

Dear Parents and Families,

            Our class is beginning a new unit in our reading program called What’s the Weather? This unit begins the students’ transition to reading challenging text.  In the first half of the unit, students will continue to follow along in their Big Book as selections are read.  In the second half of the unit, students will take on the responsibility of reading the main classroom selections using their First Reader.

            In the Big Book, our first selections will teach students about different types of weather such as rain, hail, snow, thunder, lightning, hurricanes and tornadoes.  We will also read about weather patterns around the world.  In the First Reader students will read a selection about desert environments.  Then they will continue reading in their First Reader selections about snow and hurricanes.

            Talk to your child about the types of weather he or she has experienced.  We live in an area where snow falls every winter.  Has your child seen rain turn to hail?  Make a list of weather your child has not experienced.  You may wish to take a trip to the library together to discover more about these types of weather.  You may also want to talk about the kinds of storms that are likely to occur in NH.  Discuss what your family can do to prepare for a bad storm.  Encourage your child to help you make a checklist of the things to do.

Concept and Question Board:

You may wish to contribute to our unit concept and question board by looking for pictures of different types of weather.  These can be pictures from magazines and newspapers, or pictures your child draws of different types of weather.  They may look for pictures of clothing worn for certain types of weather like snow pants or raincoats, as well as tools used during different weather such as shovels or umbrellas. Whatever you do at home to supplement our learning at school is always appreciated!