Water, Air and Weather
Primary 1 · Science and Elementary Technology
Water, Air and Weather
Lesson 3 of 3
12 min
Let's begin
Yesterday Keza walked to school in a hot, bright sun. She was thirsty before she even arrived.
Today she opens the door and stops. The sky is grey. A cold wind pushes her skirt. Rain is starting to tap on the roof.
Same girl. Same road. Same school. But a very different sky. That is weather, and today you will learn to read it.
Weather is what the sky and the air are doing outside, right now.
To find today's weather, stand at the door and ask four questions:
The weather is not the same every day. It can even change inside one day. A morning can be sunny and the same afternoon can be rainy.
The sky is bright and blue. The sun shines and you feel warm, or even hot.
How can you be sure? Look down at the ground. On a sunny day your shadow is dark and sharp beside you. The ground is dry and dusty. Wet clothes on the line dry quickly. At break you look for the shade of a tree.
White or grey clouds cover the sun. The day is not so bright, and it feels cooler. Your shadow goes faint, or you cannot find it at all.
What is a cloud made of? Very tiny drops of water, floating high up in the sky. When many tiny drops join together, they become big and heavy. Too heavy to float. So down they fall, and we call that rain.
That is why dark, heavy clouds mean rain is coming.
The clouds are dark. Water falls from the sky. The drops drum on the iron roof, loud, loud, loud. Puddles fill the yard, the path turns to mud, and little streams run down the hill.
Rain is a good thing. It fills the water pots. It waters the beans and the maize in the field. It makes the grass green for the cows. Farmers wait for the rain.
But rain also makes you cold and wet, so you must keep it off you.
The air is moving. Trees bend. Dust flies up. A paper runs away across the yard and you chase it. The washing flaps hard on the line.
A windy day can also be sunny, and a windy day can also be rainy. Wind can come with any weather.
Look at the sky first. Then dress.
Hot and sunny. Wear light clothes. Wear a hat or a cap so the sun does not beat on your head. Drink water often. Play in the shade at break.
Rainy. Take an umbrella, or wear a raincoat, or a jacket with a hood. Wear shoes you do not mind in the mud. Put your books in a plastic bag so they stay dry.
Cold and cloudy. Mornings in the hills are cool. Put a sweater on over your uniform. You can take it off later if the sun comes out.
Windy. Hold on to your hat, or the wind will take it. If the wind brings dark clouds, run and bring the washing inside before the rain arrives.
Keza's class keeps a weather chart. Every morning, one child draws today's weather: a sun, a cloud, some rain, or a bent tree for wind.
On Friday they count the week: 3 sunny days and 2 rainy days.
In Rwanda we have rainy seasons, when it rains many days in a row, and dry seasons, when the sun shines day after day. Farmers watch the weather closely, because it tells them when it is time to plant.
Tip
Every morning, before you dress, look at the sky and ask: sun? cloud? rain? wind?
Then choose: hot sun means a hat. Rain means an umbrella. Cold means a sweater.
Answer first, then tap Show answer to check.
The sky is dark grey and water is falling on the roof. What is the weather?
Answer: it is rainy.
Mugisha's shadow is dark and sharp, the ground is dusty and he feels hot. What is the weather?
Answer: it is sunny.
The trees are bending and papers are blowing across the yard. What is the weather?
Answer: it is windy. The wind is moving air, and it is pushing the trees and the papers.
It is raining hard and Uwase must walk to school. What should she take with her?
Answer: an umbrella or a raincoat, to keep the rain off her.
In the morning the sun was hot. After lunch dark clouds came and rain fell. Can the weather change in one day?
Answer: yes it can. That is why you look at the sky again before you go home.
Note
What you learned today:
Quick check
Dress for the weather. Match them.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
