Just Weather, For Now

I am hoping that classrooms took the time this November Monday morning to invite discussion and insight on weather.  Yesterday’s upper midwest super-cell storm surge that triggered approximately 70 tornadoes, and last week’s largest tropical storm to hit land ever in the Philippines, have headlined the weather news.  

But it’s not enough just to jump on these extremes. They will appear soon enough, but need background and perspective for now.

Weather is an ever-integratable topic, far beyond its science base. It is math, social studies and language arts. It’s what to wear outside at recess. It’s always a current event, whether local or regional. 

All of us - adults and students -  need to understand our own typical climate in our place called home.  The ups, downs, the averages.  Pull down the map in class.  Keep track of weather data on a daily basis.  A ten minute round-up each morning is a good check-in time.  Get a quick update on the Weather Channel (except on TV Turn-Off Week...) to set the day. Add to the classroom graphs (taped to your windows) the daily morning temperatures and total daylight hours. Discuss the seasonal phenology outside those windows. What is changing? What do you expect to change?  

Understanding our atmosphere and changes being made to it depends on current awareness of local weather and regional climate trends.

This little verse (from the wise Anonymous) is fun to read. Fourth graders love it.  It also may have implications for our own anthropocene and changing climatic times.

Whether the weather be fine,

Or whether the weather be not,

Whether the weather be cold,

Or whether the weather be hot, 

We'll weather the weather,

Whatever the weather,

Whether we like it or not!  

 (British Anon.)

Upcoming climate disturbances for the current grade school generation will dictate lifestyle transitions and contractions their parents never envisioned.  Climate change manifestations will mold the future: food, shelter, water, economy, migration, conflict. Daily weather check-ins now can guide experiential preparations.

“Whether we like it or not.”

Typhoon Haiyan                  November 2013
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