Weather
Weather’s Impact on Florida
2nd Grade • Science, Social Studies & Dance and Theater
Lesson Overview: This collaborative lesson plan developed by Alison Shedrow and Deb Lombard integrates arts, science, and social studies for Rowlett Academy fourth graders. The lesson uses dance and drama to explore weather's impact on Florida, aligning with state and national standards. Students engage in activities using movement and theater to demonstrate understanding of concepts like weathering, erosion, and the scientific method. The plan incorporates teaching strategies, assessment methods, and reflection activities for both teachers and students, emphasizing a universal design for learning. The overall goal is to create an engaging and inclusive learning environment.
Learning Objectives | Students Will:
Relate their own personal body space to the concept of weather and how it affects Florida.
Identify energy levels and relate them to weather
Examine and experience the making of body shapes.
Use movement and dance as a means of communicating information.
Use the scientific method to explore weather and it effects.
Explore the basic composition structures of motif, variation, and canon.
Lesson Process: Fourth grade students at Rowlett Academy participating in the arts-integrated lessons. They are tasked with learning about the scientific method, Florida weather, and expressing their understanding through movement and theater.
Time Required:
5 days
Materials List:
Open space
Props
Laminated activity cards
Classroom teacher lesson on scientific method and steps scientists use to learn about the natural world
Assessment : Assessment is multifaceted. Both the content teacher and the teaching artist play roles in evaluating student learning. Assessment methods include:
Participation and reflection.
Observation of student use of vocabulary and movement to explain concepts.
Performance-based tasks (creating and presenting movement sequences).
Teacher questions to students, such as “What was seen?”
Lesson
Activities & Instructions
The Activities & Instructions section provides a structured sequence of learning experiences, guiding educators through engaging, interactive lessons.
Lesson Activities
Movement
Review
Creative Exploration
Share & Reflection
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Overview of unit and review the scientific method
Review actor's toolbox
Movement warm-up
Createtableaux demonstrating the scientific method
Share with class and put in order
Reflection - teacher will reinforce the scientific method and vocabulary
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Movement warmup
Creative movement activity exploring the dance element “Energy”
In groups students will create a thematic dance demonstrating different energy qualities. (Create a thematic dance about a Leaf, Robot, and Volcano)
Students will Identify and explore movement qualities for each
Share with class
Reflection - teacher will use “energy” movement analogy throughout the daily lessons
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Movement warm-up
Review different ways weather impacts Florida
Using the scientific method, create questions that reflect how weather can affect Florida
In groups, use activity cards that demonstrate Florida weather. The students create a tableau (or 2) recreating the picture
Share
Reflection - classroom teacher will assist groups in determining movement to attach to the weather
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Movement/theater warm-up
Students continue to work on their weather tableau with movement
Students add text using vocabulary from the Social Studies unit with a narrator
Share
Reflection - teacher will assist groups with the narrative speaking part
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Movement/Theater warm-up
Practice Lesson 4 activity
Video projects
Share with class
Discuss and Reflect
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Assessment moment at the end of each lesson:
“What did you notice about the work of your fellow students?”
“Did you have any ideas you didn't use?”
“What do you think others observe in your work?”
“What would you do differently next time?”
“What does this work make you want to do next?
NATIONAL CORE ARTS STANDARDS
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Anchor Standard 1
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. -
Anchor Standard 6
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. -
Anchor Standard 8
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work. -
Anchor Standard 10
Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.Anchor Standard 11
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context to deepen understanding.
Key Themes & Ideas
Arts Integration: The core concept revolves around using dance and drama to explore and understand scientific and social studies concepts. It goes beyond simply adding art as an afterthought; it uses the arts as a primary vehicle for learning.
Collaborative Teaching: The lesson is co-designed and co-taught by a classroom teacher and a teaching artist. Their roles are distinct but complementary:
Teacher's Role: Deliver classroom strategies that create an authentic and engaging educational ecosystem. Focuses on content knowledge (scientific method, Florida weather) and reinforcing concepts.
Teaching Artist's Role: Commit to promoting an instructional infrastructure of scholarship, intellectual development, and student engagement. Focuses on the elements of dance and theater, guiding students in expressing their understanding through movement.
Student-Centered Learning: The plan prioritizes student participation and engagement, providing equal opportunities. Activities are designed to amplify "student voice" and cater to different learning styles.
Scientific Method & Florida Weather: Students are expected to learn and apply the scientific method to explore how weather impacts Florida. This includes examining weathering, erosion, soil, rocks, and related concepts. This also includes identifying physical features of Florida.
Dance and Drama Elements: Students use movement, energy, space, and text to communicate their understanding of weather concepts. They explore elements of dance and theater such as motif, variation, canon, tableau, and narrative.
Differentiated Instruction & UDL (Universal Design for Learning): The plan recognizes the need to address the needs of all learners. It references the Three-Tiered Model of Support (MTSS) and Universal Design for Learning principles to ensure participation for all students.
Success Criteria:
Students will work in groups to create movement phrases that demonstrate different weather and how it affects Florida. (weathering, erosion, soil, rocks, physical weathering, chemical weathering, karst topography, runoff, landslides)
Overall Significance
This innovative lesson plan represents a powerful model of arts integration that transforms traditional science education by making abstract concepts physically tangible through movement and dramatic expression. By combining Florida state standards in science and social studies with dance and drama standards, the plan creates meaningful interdisciplinary connections that accommodate diverse learning styles and enhance student engagement. The collaborative structure between classroom teacher and teaching artist demonstrates how pedagogical expertise can be combined with artistic knowledge to create rich educational experiences. This approach not only deepens content understanding but also develops students' creative expression, collaboration skills, and ability to communicate information in multiple ways. The lesson's emphasis on Universal Design for Learning principles and inclusive practices ensures all students can participate meaningfully, regardless of their learning needs or prior experience with the arts.
– REACH –
Thank you to our Educators, Artists, and Collaborators.
School: Rowlett Academy
Teacher: Alison Shedrow
Teaching Artist: Deb Lombard
Arts Organization: MotionlabSRQ
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Resource 1: link