Convection and Thunderstorms: Grade 3 Science Slideshow
A slideshow-style lesson for 3rd graders that introduces convection and explains how rising warm air and sinking cold air build thunderstorms. It follows a 5E arc, opening with a notice-and-wonder prompt and speaker notes that guide the discussion, and is designed to lead directly into a hands-on experiment where students observe hot air rising and cold air sinking.
“I am teaching 3rd grade science about convection and how thunderstorms are created. Help design a slideshow that describes what convection is. It will be followed by a science experiement where students will observe hot air rising and cold air sinking”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as a 20-25 minute whole-class introduction before the hands-on convection experiment, pausing at the notice-and-wonder slides so students can share observations before you explain the science.
- Discussion question: What do you notice about the storm clouds in the photo, and what do you think might be making them grow so tall?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Pre-teach the words 'convection,' 'warm,' 'cold,' 'rise,' and 'sink' with simple gestures, and pair students with a partner during discussion prompts.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to predict where a thunderstorm would form first on a hot summer afternoon and explain their reasoning using the words 'rising' and 'sinking.'
- Estimated time: About 25 minutes for the slideshow, plus 15-20 minutes for the follow-up experiment.
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Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free“I am teaching 3rd grade science about convection and how thunderstorms are created. Help design a slideshow that describes what convection is. It will be followed by a science experiement where students will observe hot air rising and cold air sinking”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as a 20-25 minute whole-class introduction before the hands-on convection experiment, pausing at the notice-and-wonder slides so students can share observations before you explain the science.
- Discussion question: What do you notice about the storm clouds in the photo, and what do you think might be making them grow so tall?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Pre-teach the words 'convection,' 'warm,' 'cold,' 'rise,' and 'sink' with simple gestures, and pair students with a partner during discussion prompts.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to predict where a thunderstorm would form first on a hot summer afternoon and explain their reasoning using the words 'rising' and 'sinking.'
- Estimated time: About 25 minutes for the slideshow, plus 15-20 minutes for the follow-up experiment.
Convection and Thunderstorms: Grade 3 Science Slideshow
A slideshow-style lesson for 3rd graders that introduces convection and explains how rising warm air and sinking cold air build thunderstorms. It follows a 5E arc, opening with a notice-and-wonder prompt and speaker notes that guide the discussion, and is designed to lead directly into a hands-on experiment where students observe hot air rising and cold air sinking.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free