Are you looking for some Weather children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
The Weather is such a wonderful theme and is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Weather books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whatever weather you may like or not like, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Little Cloud by Eric Carle
The clouds drift across the bright blue sky, all except one. Little Cloud trails behind. He is busy changing shapes.
He becomes a fluffy sheep and a zooming airplane. Little Cloud even a becomes clown with a funny hat. The authors trademark collages will make every reader want to run outside and discover their very own little cloud.
Literacy Extensions:
- Weather Word Bank
- “Weather Senses” Student Booklet
- Rain & Wind Art Project
- Weather Build a Word Game
2. All About Weather by Huda Harajli MA
Welcome to the wonderful world of weather! Of all the weather books for kids, All About Weather has been specifically created to educate and entertain children about the weather.
From the warm, balmy days of summer to the cold, crisp nights of winter, youngsters will learn all about the four seasons. They will also learn what the sun is, how clouds form, why it rains, what causes a rainbow, and so much more. Read along with the meteorological magic that’s happening around every day.
Literacy Extensions:
- “All About Weather” Classroom Book
- “I Can See the Weather” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Rain & Snow
- Weather Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. Hello, World! Weather by Jill McDonald
Young children are fascinated with weather and the seasons. Here’s a book that teaches them about different types of weather and shows them how to dress for each different day. Told in clear and easy terms and featuring bright, cheerful illustrations, makes learning fun for young children.
Each page offers helpful prompts for engaging with children. “Look out the window. What is the weather like today? In addition, simple scientific facts; Mornings are cooler than afternoons because the sun doesn’t shine overnight. It’s a perfect way to bring science and nature into the busy world of a toddler, where learning never stops.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Different Kinds of Weather”
- Student Booklet: “I Can See the Weather”
- Weather Counting: How Many Weather Pictures
- My Weather Story: Student Worksheets
4. Tornadoes by Cecilia Minden
Learn all about tornadoes in this Level 2 Guided Reader. The author educates students on tornadoes are formed and what type of weather you may see.
The book also discusses what precautions should be taken if a tornado has been sited. This also includes any safety measures that need to be taken before, during and after a tornado.
Literacy Extensions:
- Weather Literature List
- Weather Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Weather Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Little Cloud Art Project
5. Weather by Kristin Rattini
This National Geographic Kids book teaches children all about the different kinds of weather. It begins by telling students what the weather is and what you can see if you look up at the sky.
Children learn about the sun and about clouds. They learn what comes from clouds and all about lightning and thunder. Students also learn about ways weather can be wild and what types of weather can be found all around the world.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Weather Senses” Student Booklet
- Weather Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Weather Rain & Wind Art Project
- Weather Number & Ten Frames
6. Storms by Miriam Busch Goin
Storms are SCARY! But it’s cool to understand what’s going on when Mother Nature gets angry. Engage your beginning readers with amazing, true-life science facts! This Level 1 reader is perfect for kids who are just beginning to read on their own.
Learn all about storms and weather phenomena. With the beautiful photographs students learn all about the different kinds of weather storms.
Literacy Extensions:
- Weather Word Bank
- Weather Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Weather Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Weather Roll & Cover Math Games
7. A Thing Called Snow by Yuval Zommer
This is a beautifully illustrated story about two friends, an arctic fox, and an arctic hare. They were both born in the spring, grew up in the summer and have never seen snow.
The story follows an arctic fox and hare who have never seen snow. They head off to search for it meeting other animals along the way to ask them what snow is like. After each of the animals has a different answer, the friends finally get to know what snow is when the fluffy flakes begin to fall.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Different Kinds of Weather” Classroom Book
- Weather Make a Short Vowel Word
- Weather Sight Word Match Game
- Weather Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Thunder Cakes by Patricia Polacco
A loud clap of thunder booms and rattles the windows of Grandma’s old farmhouse. “This is Thunder Cake baking weather,” calls Grandma, as she and her granddaughter hurry to gather the ingredients around the farm. A real Thunder Cake must reach the oven before the storm arrives. But the list of ingredients is long and not easy to find, and the storm is coming closer all the time!
Reaching once again into her rich childhood experience, the author tells the story of how her grandma helped her overcome her fear of thunder when she was a little girl. These memories and the bright folk-art illustrations, turn a frightening thunderstorm into an adventure and ultimately a celebration.
Literacy Extensions:
- “All About the Weather” Classroom Book
- Weather Letter & Sound Match Game
- Weather Build a Word
- Weather Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Weather children’s books you can choose from. From Weather fiction to nonfiction, the list of books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
