Many preschools have a daily circle time where children gather to read stories, sing songs and go over calendar and weather information. Preschool classrooms usually record visual weather (sunny, cloudy, rainy), but not temperature. Make a homemade thermometer in the classroom with a red strip of paper so children can move it each day according to the day's forecast. Children will start to get an understanding that the higher the thermometer is, the warmer it will be outside. Make a monthly chart to keep track of the temperature, analyze trends and easily spot highs and lows.
Reading an appropriate book is an effective way to start a lesson. A story with engaging pictures will draw preschoolers in, interest them in the topic, and prepare them to learn more on the subject. Read books such as "Hot Days" or "Cold Days" by Jennifer S. Burke. Use "Maisy's Wonderful Weather Book" by Lucy Cousins, to not only talk about different types of weather and the thermometer, but use the book's predictable sequence to carry over into a reading lesson. The repetitive language will enable children to join in on the reading and boost their confidence. Use the class thermometer to talk about what the thermometer would look like on a hot or cold day. Discuss the types of activities children can participate in on these days.
When talking about changes in temperature, teachers can incorporate animal behavior into the lesson. When the weather turns cold, many animals hibernate until it warms up again. Have a hibernation party. Let students enjoy some cozy reading time in their pajamas. Adjust the classroom thermometer and tell the students when you bring it above a certain temperature, hibernation is finished. This will encourage students to monitor the thermostat thermometer.
Place an adjustable paper thermometer on a low bulletin board, along with some paper boys and girls. Prepare different types of paper clothing to fit the paper children and place a removable adhesive dot on the back of each piece. Kids can place appropriate clothing on the children dependent on the temperature according to the thermometer. For instance, if a child sets the thermometer for 30 degrees, the child can put a hat, heavy coat, mittens, and boots on the child. If the thermometer reads 80 degrees, a short-sleeve shirt and shorts are appropriate. During this activity, children will get practice reading the thermometer as well as transferring the information into practical application.
While the most prominent place we discuss temperature involves weather, children can learn that our bodies have a temperature too, and we can monitor it just like air temperature. Parents and doctors use a thermometer that may go in a child's mouth, under his arms, or in his ears, and most of the time his temperature stays the same. If it goes up, that means the body is fighting off an illness. Teachers can show how germs spread from hand to hand by placing glitter on one child's hands and giving kids a few minutes to shake hands with each other. In a few minutes, they will all be "infected" and can see the value in hand-washing. Read books such as "The Magic School Bus Inside Ralphie," by Joanna Cole and others, to teach how the body changes temperature when fighting an illness.