Maths In Jobs
Be a junior weather presenter for a day maths challenge
An imaginative role-play challenge where children use temperature, rainfall, graphs and forecasts like a real weather presenter.
Quick answer
You can be a junior weather presenter for a day by using maths to understand temperature, rainfall, and how to show weather data clearly. You’ll learn how to collect, sort, and share weather information like a real weather presenter.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to use maths to collect, sort, and share weather data like a real weather presenter. Success signs:- You can read and write temperatures in degrees Celsius.
- You can measure and compare rainfall amounts.
- You can make a simple chart or graph to show weather patterns.
- You can explain your weather findings using maths words like “more than”, “less than”, and “total”.
Why this matters
Weather presenters use maths every day to help people know what to wear, what to pack, and how to plan their day. When you understand temperature, rainfall, and how to show data, you’re learning skills that help you make smart choices. Whether you're planning a picnic or a school trip, knowing how to read weather data helps you be ready for anything.How it works
Being a junior weather presenter means you’re like a scientist who studies the weather. You collect data, like how hot or cold it is, how much rain fell, and what the sky looks like. Then you use maths to make sense of this data and show it to others. Here’s how to start:- Choose a place to measure the weather (like your garden or a window).
- Record the temperature (in degrees Celsius).
- Measure how much rain fell (in millilitres).
- Draw a chart or graph to show your findings.
- Explain your data using maths words.
Examples you can see
Let’s pretend you are a junior weather presenter for a week. Here’s how you might collect and show your weather data. Example 1: Measuring temperature You check the temperature each day at 9am and 3pm. Here’s what you find:| Day | Morning (9am) | Afternoon (3pm) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12°C | 18°C |
| Tuesday | 10°C | 16°C |
| Wednesday | 8°C | 14°C |
| Day | Rainfall (ml) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 5ml |
| Tuesday | 10ml |
| Wednesday | 0ml |
- “It was 2°C colder on Wednesday than on Monday.”
- “Tuesday had 5ml more rain than Monday.”
- “The total rainfall for the week was 15ml.”
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: Be a Junior Weather Presenter for a Week You are going to be the weather presenter for your school or family for one week. Here’s how to start:- Every morning, check the temperature and write it down.
- Measure how much rain fell in your garden or on your windowsill.
- At the end of the week, make a chart to show your data.
- Explain your findings to a parent or friend.
- 9am: 11°C
- 3pm: 17°C
- Rainfall: 3ml
- 9am: 9°C
- 3pm: 15°C
- Rainfall: 0ml
- 9am: 13°C
- 3pm: 19°C
- Rainfall: 7ml
- 9am: 10°C
- 3pm: 16°C
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Forgetting to write down the temperature in degrees Celsius (°C).
Why it happens: Some children think temperature is just a number, not a measurement.
Fix: Always write the unit “°C” after the number. For example, “It was 15°C today.” - Mistake: Mixing up the morning and afternoon temperatures.
Why it happens: It’s easy to get confused when recording more than one number each day.
Fix: Use a chart or table to keep your morning and afternoon data separate. - Mistake: Not using maths words like “more than”, “less than”, or “total” when talking about data.
Why it happens: Children might not know how to describe their data clearly.
Fix: Practice using words like “more than” and “less than” to compare numbers.
Parent and carer guide
Parents and carers can help children by:- Encouraging children to measure temperature and rainfall daily.
- Helping them make a chart or graph using paper, crayons, or online tools.
- Practising maths words like “more than”, “less than”, “total”, and “difference”.
- Letting children explain their weather data to you or a friend.
- Supporting them to ask questions like “Which day was the hottest?” or “How much rain fell in total?”
- “That’s a great idea to record the temperature every day!”
- “How can you show that day had more rain than the day before?”
- “Can you tell me what the difference is between the morning and afternoon temperatures?”
- It’s okay if the weather data doesn’t match exactly what a real weather presenter sees. You’re learning the skills!
- It’s normal for children to make small mistakes when recording data. Use them as learning moments.
Practice questions
- What is the difference between 18°C and 12°C?
- If it rained 4ml on Monday and 6ml on Tuesday, how much rain was there in total?
- If the temperature was 10°C in the morning and 16°C in the afternoon, how much did it warm up?
- If it rained 0ml on Wednesday and 5ml on Thursday, how much more rain was there on Thursday?
- If the temperature was 8°C on Friday and 12°C on Saturday, how much warmer was Saturday?
- 6°C
- 10ml
- 6°C
- 5ml
- 4°C
FAQ
Q: Why do weather presenters use maths?
A: Weather presenters use maths to understand temperature, rainfall, and how weather changes over time. This helps them make predictions and give useful advice to people.
Q: Can I be a weather presenter even if I don’t have a real weather station?
A: Yes! You can use a thermometer to check temperature and a small container to measure rainfall. You can even use online weather data to learn more.
Q: How can I show my weather data to others?
A: You can draw charts, use a bar graph, or even create a simple weather report on paper or a whiteboard. You can explain your findings using maths words like “more than” and “total”.
Q: What does it mean when it says “temperature” in degrees Celsius?
A: Temperature is how hot or cold it is. The unit “°C” means “degrees Celsius.” It’s a way to measure how warm or cool the air is.
Q: Can I use maths to predict the weather?
A: Yes! You can look at patterns in your weather data and make predictions. For example, if it’s been raining for a few days, you might predict more rain is coming.