WEATHER
What's the weather today?

Objective

To be able to identify weather conditions.

Goal

To ask and respond to questions about weather.

Suggestions

• Newspapers are a useful resource as they usually have good illustrations of weather.
• Weather is a popular topic for small talk. It is good for learners to be able to respond to small talk regarding weather.
• Walking on snow and ice is a challenging task. Tell your learners to use extra caution when walking in snow and on ice.
• Footwear is also important in winter. Ensure that your learners understand the importance of both the tread on boots and shoes as well as the warmth.
• The weather in Nova Scotia is very changeable. This is useful for learners to be aware of so they can dress accordingly.
• Clothing vocabulary can be taught along with weather.
• It is a skill to be able to keep warm in the winter. Learners from warmer climates may not have had the opportunity to develop this skill, so it is an important for the instructor to pass this information along.
• Driving in winter conditions is tricky for all of us. Black ice, freezing rain, snow tires, jumper cables are all very important words to know. Winter driving is not included here but it would be useful for instructors to develop materials around this topic area.
• Along with winter weather comes school cancellations. Ensure that learners know what to listen for on the radio regarding school cancellations. In Halifax the announcement is, "All schools in the Halifax Regional School Board are closed." Because of the bus system in the rural areas of the Halifax Regional Municipality, school officials still refer to Halifax County.

Activities

• Video a weather report from TV. Give learners written weather words on cards. Play the video and ask learners to put the words in order as they hear them.
• Write the weather words on separate cards or pieces of paper. Have the weather report from the newspaper. Ask learners to match the word with the picture.
• Review the weather every day. Weather vocabulary is best taught when the same weather conditions are present. For example, it is very difficult to describe "foggy". If it is taught on a foggy day, and reviewed on foggy days, it will be easier and more successful for everyone.