Rain Today? That’s Okay! Lesson Plan

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What We Are Learning
 

Science Focus:

rain/spring weather

 

Theme Vocabulary Words:

rain, umbrella, squirm, puddle

 

Skills We’re Practicing:

group discussion, critical thinking, vocabulary, problem solving, self-management, visual discrimination

  • Rain! by Linda Ashman is the perfect book to explore how people’s moods can be affected by the weather. In it, two characters—a grumpy old man and a cheerful young boy—have two disparate reactions to a rainy day. As you read, ask students to share how they feel during a rainy day. What are some fun things they do to bring sunshine into their lives when it’s cold and wet outside?

Make a Rain Cloud

Materials: paper plates or cardstock; cotton balls; white yarn; glue stick or clear tape; blue, clear, and white beads

  • This fun, fluffy craft is sure to brighten any dreary day!
  • In advance, cut plates or cardstock into the shape of clouds. (Paper plates can simply be cut in half.) Give each child a cloud shape. Set out a tray of beads and precut strands of yarn.
  • Children will begin by beading five or six strands of yarn to make “rain.” If they’d like to separate “droplets,” guide them in making knots between beads. Then have them tape or glue each strand of yarn to their cloud.
  • Next, children will glue cotton balls to their paper to make the cloud fluffy.
  • Once the glue has dried, have students hold their rain clouds up high and move them back and forth. The beads can mimic the sound of rain! fine-motor skills

Materials: Weather Cube skill sheet, crayons, scissors, tape, cube tissue box (optional)

  • Get wiggles out on a dreary day with this gross-motor game.
  • Print out as many templates as you need to make the number of cubes you want. Have children help color the pictures before you assemble the cubes. There are two versions to choose from—version A attaches to a cube tissue box; version B folds up to form a cube.
  • You can introduce the game at circle time. Toss the cube and show children which side lands face up. Then follow the directions and move like the weather! Have kids copy your movement. Go around the circle, letting children take turns rolling. The rest of the group can follow the leader! Let kids play in small groups, or leave a cube out for center time. The activity is great for building vocabulary AND getting a movement break! gross-motor skills