South Dakota Science 3-ESS2-1

Science3rd GradeEarth and Space Science

The Standard

Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe weather conditions during a particular season. (SEP: 4; DCI: ESS2.D; CCC: Patterns)

South Dakota Science Standards (2024) · Earth’s Systems

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students put daily weather readings from one season into a table and a graph. They use the data to describe patterns in temperature, rain, or other recorded conditions.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students label dates, units, and graph scales so someone else can read their work. They use actual values to support a statement about the weather, such as how many recorded days had rain.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat one rainy day as proof that the whole season was rainy. They may also use uneven graph scales or leave off units, making temperatures hard to compare.
How to Assess It: Give students four fall records: Monday 48°F, dry; Tuesday 52°F, rain; Wednesday 50°F, dry; Thursday 51°F, rain. Have them make a table and temperature bar graph, then describe one pattern using the data.

Lesson moves

Give groups five October weather cards with temperatures and rainfall; have them sort the cards, make a table, and graph the temperatures.
Show a fall weather graph and ask, "Did every recorded day feel the same? Use two values to explain."
Play graph detective: partners match labeled temperature cards to bars on a fall weather graph.
Use last October's local weather records to choose a coat and shoes that would have worked on most recorded days.

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