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⎯ Seasonal ⎯
Rain Activities for the Classroom
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Tis the season for rain… lots and lots of rain, and these rain activities for the classroom are sure to keep your kiddos engaged, even on the days that it is too wet to go out and play!
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STORM IS COMING
Last year, I stumbled across Storm Is Coming by Heather Tekavec and instantly fell in love.
Storm Is Coming!
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09/18/2024 07:57 pm GMT
When farmer tells Dog that a storm is coming, Dog panics and runs to warn the other animals. After reading the first page, we use the clues from the illustrations on the first page and cover to predict what will happen next. We even use our schema about rain and storms to help us form our predictions. First, we rehearse our predictions orally as we tell our neighbor, “I predict…” Then, we illustrate and write about our predictions.
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We also sequence the beginning of the story.
As the animals take shelter in the barn, they anxiously await Storm’s presence. Cat asks, “And who is Storm?” which sets the stage for the personification that follows. As Storm gets closer, the sky grows dark. Dog reassures the animals that dark is good because Storm won’t be able to find them in the dark.
Each part of the storm, which the animals don’t realize is actually their fictitious character named Storm, causes a certain effect. The wind will blow Storm away. The rain will wash away the animals footprints so that Storm can’t find them. The lightning and thunder will scare Storm away. As we read through the middle of the story, we discuss each cause and effect.
The story ends with the animals thinking Storm never came. Before I reveal the ending, I read the following passage: But then everything stopped. The sky went silent, and so did the animals. They waited and listened, and Duck flew down to huddle with the others. Again, we use our schema about storms and the clues from the story to predict what will happen at the end of the story.
THE ITSY BITSY SPIDER
Of course, we also read The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani.
The Itsy Bitsy Spider (Iza Trapani’s Extended Nursery Rhymes)
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09/18/2024 03:31 pm GMT
Then, we complete this simple sequencing activity.
We continue our discussion of cause and effect with these reading response activities.
My most favorite reading response activity are these text-to-self connection spider crafts! So cute!
CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett has always been one of my favorite rainy day read alouds.
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
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09/18/2024 02:18 pm GMT
It’s perfect for identifying the characters and setting of story. We also use this story to further discuss cause and effect, as well as problem and solution.
We even complete a little opinion writing about our favorite food using this adorable meteorologist craft. Just look at their responses!
During our phonics time, we practice counting syllables with this sorting activity and response sheet.
LITERACY RAIN ACTIVITIES
Our rain activities don’t stop with just a few read alouds. I make sure our literacy centers and phonics activities for the week are also rain themed. Most of these activities are completed whole group, and then placed in our literacy tubs.
Since we’ve been working on L-blends, I created these self correcting picture puzzles. After assembling each puzzle, we also complete a response sheet.
Since we had counted syllables with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, we continue to practice this skill during center time with this simple “Splashing Syllables” spinner activity.
My kiddos have also been practicing beginning digraphs, so this “Rainy Day Digraphs” activity is a breeze for them.
Word families and rhyming have also been on tap, and this “Raindrop Rhymes” activity further reinforces these skills.
MATH RAIN ACTIVITIES
We also complete numerous rain activities during our math lessons and center time. This “Cloudy Comparison” whole group activity is an instant hit. First, I choose two students to scoop “droplets” onto each cloud. They count their droplets, and the class determines which cloud has the greater number.
We extend this rain activity into our independent learning time with this math center.
The kiddos also determine the parts of a whole with this “It’s Raining Number Bonds” activity. First, they identify the whole.
Then, they count out the known part, and move these into the top raindrop.
Last, they identify the unknown part and move the remaining “drops” into the bottom raindrop.
This “Showers of Sums” activity is a great independent center for my kiddos. I simply place the cards around the room, and the kiddos scoot about to complete their response sheet.
Of course, we have to practice our subtraction skills too with this “Rain, Rain, Go Away” activity. This activity is first completed using two dice and our number line cards. After shaking the dice, we place the greater number in the first box and the lesser number in the second box. Then, we use our little raindrop man to model the subtraction problem on the number line. Last, we demonstrate our learning with this simple response sheet.
SCIENCE RAIN ACTIVITIES
Integrating lessons across the curriculum is one of my biggest priorities. I am very intentional in making sure that our math and literacy activities are tied to our science concepts. We always begin a unit by discussing any important vocabulary words. Oftentimes, we make up hand motions to go with each definition. Then, the words are added to our “Rain Dictionary.”
During our nonfiction rain studies, we demonstrate our learning with this “Rainy Facts” mobile.
We conclude our Rain Unit by creating these “All About Rain” raindrop booklets.
One of our most favorite rain activities was this “Down Comes the Rain” science experiment.
You can read about this experiment here.
Plus, don’t forget to check out these other posts filled with more engaging rain activities for your classroom!
INTEGRATED RAIN ACTIVITIES
Learn “All About Rain” with this 165 page PAIRED NONFICTION & FICTION INTEGRATED UNIT, which is jam-packed with over 35 math, science, ELA, writing and art activities sure to keep your kiddos engaged as you learn about rain and the water cycle!
DON’T FORGET IT… PIN IT!
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Ashley Sharp
As a dedicated Kindergarten teacher for nearly 20 years, I believe the words “fun, play, and creativity” can sit right alongside the words “developmentally appropriate, engaging, and rigorous.” Learning is meant to be fun and messy!
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