Why Weather Station works

Operate a weather station that observes current conditions, records them and gives a short pretend forecast. Look outside and choose the current weather description. Record one visible clue supporting that choice.

Set up — Look outside and choose the current weather description

Prepare household items before the child is asked to look outside and choose the current weather description. The setup is ready when the child can look outside and choose the current weather description and then move on to the instruction to record one visible clue supporting that choice without a new explanation. Keep props ordinary and safe, and do not copy real hazardous, medical, or emergency procedures while those two steps are connected.

Step 2 — Record one visible clue supporting that choice

One careful attempt to record one visible clue supporting that choice is enough at this stage. Before the child tries to add a simple temperature-feeling word such as cool or warm without measuring if no safe tool is available, ask them to show or describe what differed from when they had to look outside and choose the current weather description.

Step 3 — Add a simple temperature-feeling word such as cool or warm without measuring…

Use the result of asking the child to add a simple temperature-feeling word such as cool or warm without measuring if no safe tool is available as a clue for the next decision. Do not move on to give a one-sentence pretend forecast for later until this step has a clear purpose.

Step 4 — Give a one-sentence pretend forecast for later

Ask the child to give a one-sentence pretend forecast for later. Compare what happens with the earlier step to add a simple temperature-feeling word such as cool or warm without measuring if no safe tool is available, then continue by asking them to compare the forecast with a second observation if the game continues once the difference is clear.

Step 5 — Compare the forecast with a second observation if the game continues

Let the child compare the forecast with a second observation if the game continues and treat the result as information rather than simple repetition. If it is unclear, repeat that action before asking them to compare the forecast with a second observation if the game continues.

What to notice before Compare the forecast with a second observation if…

After the child has tried to give a one-sentence pretend forecast for later, ask what changed. An answer connected to the earlier attempt to add a simple temperature-feeling word such as cool or warm without measuring if no safe tool is available is good evidence of whether the next pretend action follows from what the characters just did before the final step.

Make Add a simple temperature-feeling word such as… easier or harder

If asking the child to add a simple temperature-feeling word such as cool or warm without measuring if no safe tool is available is too demanding, use one role, one place, and one short problem. Once that step is comfortable, add a second responsibility, clue, customer, or consequence that must be handled in order before returning to the final request to compare the forecast with a second observation if the game continues.

Finish after Compare the forecast with a second observation if…

Compare the forecast with a second observation if the game continues. End with that completed action and save the next variation for another round. Find the next activity in the activity search, or make a new one with the activity generator.