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Welcome to Weather Watchers: Thermometers! – Learn about thermometers today – What does a thermometer do? – A tool that tells us the temperature – Thermometers measure temperature – It shows how hot or cold things are – They tell us if it’s hot or cold | Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of a thermometer and its purpose in measuring temperature. Ask the students if they have seen a thermometer before and what they think it does. Explain that thermometers can tell us how hot or cold it is outside, which is very important for deciding what to wear and what activities we can do. Show them a picture of a thermometer and point out the mercury or colored alcohol that rises or falls to show the temperature. You can also demonstrate how to read a thermometer by showing them the numbers and what they mean. Encourage the children to ask questions and share any experiences they have with thermometers.

What is a Thermometer? – A tool to measure temperature – Thermometers can be digital or mercury-based. – Tells us if it’s hot or cold – ‘Hot’ might mean shorts time, ‘cold’ might mean jacket time. – Helps choose our clothes – Guides our activities – If it’s warm, we might play outside; if it’s cold, we might stay in. | Introduce the thermometer as a scientific tool that helps us measure how hot or cold it is. Explain that temperature can affect many aspects of our daily lives, such as the clothes we decide to wear or the activities we choose to do. For example, on a hot day, we might wear shorts and t-shirts, while on a cold day, we would wear jackets and pants. Activities can also depend on the temperature; we might go swimming if it’s hot or build a snowman if it’s cold. Encourage students to think about how they feel in different temperatures and relate it to the thermometer readings.

Parts of a Thermometer – Thermometer bulb with liquid – The bulb holds mercury or alcohol – Tube where liquid moves – Liquid rises or falls with temperature – Scale shows the temperature – Numbers on the scale measure heat | This slide introduces the basic parts of a thermometer and how it functions. Explain that the bulb at the bottom contains a liquid, usually mercury or colored alcohol, which reacts to heat. As the temperature changes, the liquid inside the thermometer will move up or down the tube, indicating warmer or cooler temperatures. The scale on the side of the thermometer, marked with numbers, helps us read the exact temperature. Use simple language to ensure first graders can follow along, and consider showing a large image of a thermometer to point out each part as you explain. You can also demonstrate with an actual thermometer if available.

Reading a Thermometer – How to read the temperature scale – The scale shows us the temperature number – Liquid rises with heat, falls with cold – When it’s hot, the liquid goes up; when it’s cold, it goes down – Let’s practice reading thermometers – We will look at pictures of thermometers and say the temperature | This slide introduces first graders to the concept of reading a thermometer as part of understanding weather. Start by explaining that a thermometer is a tool we use to measure how hot or cold it is, which we call temperature. Show them the scale on the thermometer and explain that the numbers tell us the temperature. Demonstrate how the liquid inside the thermometer moves up when the temperature increases and goes down when it decreases. Engage the class with practice examples by showing them pictures of thermometers with different levels of liquid and asking them to read the temperature. Make sure to use simple language and relatable examples, such as comparing the temperature to hot summer days or cold winter mornings.

Types of Thermometers – Different thermometers exist – Some measure weather – Like the one at our school entrance – Others for cooking or health – Like a kitchen thermometer or a fever thermometer – Today’s focus: weather thermometers – We’ll learn how to read these to know the temperature outside | This slide introduces the concept of different types of thermometers and their uses. Emphasize that thermometers are tools that measure temperature, but they come in various forms for different purposes. Some are used by meteorologists for weather forecasting, others by cooks to check if food is cooked, and some by doctors or parents to check body temperature. Highlight that the lesson will focus on weather thermometers, which help us understand and discuss the weather. Show a simple weather thermometer and explain that it helps us decide what to wear and what activities we can do outside. Encourage students to think about why knowing the temperature might be important in daily life.

Let’s Practice Reading a Thermometer! – Observe the thermometer I show – Tell me the temperature you see – Look where the liquid stops – The liquid’s height shows the temp – Decide if it’s hot, warm, cool, or cold – Use words like hot or cold to describe | This slide is for a class activity where students will practice reading a thermometer. Show them a large, easy-to-read thermometer. Explain that the liquid (usually colored red or blue) rises or falls with the temperature. Point to where the liquid stops and ask the students what the temperature is. Then, ask them to describe the temperature using terms like hot, warm, cool, or cold. This will help them associate the numerical temperature with common descriptive words. For the activity, have several thermometers showing different temperatures and let students take turns reading and describing them. Possible activities include matching temperature readings with appropriate clothing, comparing indoor and outdoor temperatures, or charting the temperature throughout the day.

Activity Time: Make Your Own Thermometer! – Create a pretend thermometer – Draw the bulb and tube on paper – Use a round shape for the bulb and a long line for the tube – Color in the temperature level – Choose a color for hot or cold and fill the tube to show temperature – Share and explain your thermometer – Tell your friends what temperature your thermometer shows and why | This activity is designed to help first graders understand how a thermometer works by creating a simple model with paper and markers. Teachers should provide guidance on drawing the basic parts of a thermometer and discuss how the level of color represents the temperature. Encourage creativity in choosing colors to represent different temperatures. After completing their thermometers, students will practice their speaking skills by explaining their work to classmates. This hands-on activity not only reinforces the concept of temperature measurement but also fosters social interaction and peer learning.

Thermometer Reading Mastery! – Congratulations on learning thermometers! – Now you know the outdoor temperature. – Is it hot or cold? You can tell! – Check the thermometer for outfit choices. – Decide on a coat or shorts for school. – Practice makes perfect! | Well done to all the students for learning how to read a thermometer! This skill will help them understand and engage with the world around them, particularly the weather. Encourage them to make a habit of checking the temperature each morning to help them choose appropriate clothing for the day. It’s a practical application of what they’ve learned and reinforces their understanding. Keep practicing reading the thermometer, and soon it will become second nature. Remember, consistent practice is key to retaining new knowledge.