Transcript
Page 1: 5 ideas for teaching about the weather using apps and mobile devices

© Copyright 2011, LearnAhead

5 ideas for teaching about the weather using apps and mobile devices

Kim Ashmore, Director and Co-Founder, LearnAhead Ltd

Page 2: 5 ideas for teaching about the weather using apps and mobile devices

© Copyright 2011, LearnAhead2

Here are some ideas for teaching weather words – or about the topic of the weather – using apps and mobile devices. The ideas are aimed at the EFL/ESL young learner classroom but can be adapted to other contexts.

1. Listen to a song – Itsy Bitsy Spider2. Learn about the seasons and weather3. Spell weather words4. Weather around the world5. Make a weather report

5 ideas for teaching about the weather using apps and mobile devices

Page 3: 5 ideas for teaching about the weather using apps and mobile devices

© Copyright 2011, LearnAhead3

Itsy Bitsy Spider (also known as Incy Wincy Spider) is a traditional children’s song about a spider in the rain. This app is aimed at toddlers who speak English as a first language, but it would be suitable for some younger learners (for example aged 5 or 6) who are learning English as a second or foreign language too.

Use the app with your whole class, and get children to sing along (you can record them singing), and encourage them to touch and explore (for example, making rain come down from a cloud, splashing in puddles). Children can also learn about weather and nature by poking the fly that appears in every scene; and there are other learning activities (eg counting from 1 – 10 as a squirrel builds a house).

1. Listen to a song – Itsy Bitsy Spider

Page 4: 5 ideas for teaching about the weather using apps and mobile devices

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App: Itsy Bitsy SpiderPlatform: iOS (versions for iPhone and iPad)Cost: £1.49/$1.99

App: Itsy Bitsy SpiderPlatform: AndroidCost: £1.27

1. Listen to a song – Itsy Bitsy Spider

Page 5: 5 ideas for teaching about the weather using apps and mobile devices

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iLearn with Poko is an app aimed at children aged between 3- 7. The app has three levels all based around basic concepts of the weather and the seasons: In Level 1, children have to click on pictures that match certain descriptions (for example, click on the picture where there are no clouds); in Level 2, children have to click on things that don’t match the weather (for example, a child wearing sunglasses on a cloudy day); and in Level 3, children have to match activities with the right weather. This level also introduces a calendar with months and days of the week.

2. Learn about the seasons and weather

App: iLearn with Poko: Seasons and Weather!Platform: iOS (versions for iPhone and iPad)Cost: £1.99/$2.99

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iLearn with Poko is aimed at native speakers of English, but would be useful for children learning English as a second or foreign language. All instructions are verbal, so learners will come across natural English used in meaningful contexts. They may need some help at first with understanding the instructions, but the app would give learners great practice in developing their listening skills (note that this app uses American English so uses ‘fall’ and not ‘autumn’ for example). The app would also be useful in cross-curricular contexts, introducing children to basic concepts of science and geography. It might also inspire your class to keep their own weather diary for a period of time – perhaps a class blog recording the weather each day?

2. Learn about the seasons and weather

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Word Carrot is an app that will help learners of all ages spell ten weather words. Learners see the word, hear the word, and choose the right letters to spell it. You could use it as a game to play on the IWB, or students can use it to practise weather words outside the classroom. Here is an activity you can print for learners to practise the words further.Weather Worksheet

App: Word CarrotPlatform: iOSCost: Free

3. Spell weather words

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4. Weather around the world

Here are two activities you can do with upper primary or secondary students. First divide students into small groups, and make sure that each group has access to a mobile device with a free weather app installed (such as Accuweather, or any preferred weather app). Now try the first activity:

1. Ask each group to research current weather conditions, and to write a quiz for students in another group using the data (for example: Is it raining in Seoul? What’s the temperature in Madrid? Do you need to wear a raincoat in Tokyo? Is it best to be indoors or outdoors in Helsinki today?) When students are ready, get them to swap quizzes and give them a time limit to answer the questions using their weather app. If students use different weather apps, you might get some interesting results, which could lead to a discussion about the accuracy of weather apps.

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4. Weather around the world

2. Give students some questions comparing the weather in different places around the world (for example: What’s the hottest place in Germany? What’s the coldest place in Japan? Is Moscow hotter than Beijing?)

Tell students to use the weather app to find the answers as quickly as they can. This is a great way to practise comparatives and superlatives.

App: AccuweatherPlatform: iOS (versions for iPhone and iPad)/AndroidCost: Free

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4. Weather around the world

One interesting weather app is Weather Doodle, which features animated weather art that represents the time of day and weather conditions of the chosen location. This visual representation of the weather could be a useful asset to the classroom, and might inspire an art project too. This app is not free but it is low-cost.

App: Weather DoodlePlatform: iOSCost: £0.69/$0.99

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5. Make a weather report

This is another idea for older primary and secondary students. Put students into pairs or small groups, and make sure that each group has a mobile device which allows video recording. First of all, discuss typical weather reports: What information is given? Who is the audience? What do these people need to know? What kinds of phrases are used? You could perhaps watch a weather report or two together as a class at this stage. Next, students should prepare a short weather report in groups, about their own or another country. Once videos are ready, they can be shared with others using a simple blogging app such as Posterous.

App: PosterousPlatform: iOS/AndroidCost: Free

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Have you got any more ideas to share? Then share them at :http://wordcarrot.com/5-ideas-for-teaching-about-the-weather-using-apps-and-mobile-devices/

Thank you!

5 ideas for teaching about the weather using apps and mobile devices


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