Kindergarten · Science · week 6

Measure rain with a cup gauge

Use a simple homemade rain gauge to measure how much rain has fallen and describe the amount.

Scientists use tools to measure weather instead of just guessing. A rain gauge is a straight-sided container that catches rain so you can see how deep it got. The deeper the water, the more rain fell.

Today you will make your own simple rain gauge and use it to measure real rain, or test it with water from a watering can if it is not raining.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Make a simple rain gauge together: a straight-sided jar with a ruler taped to the side, or marker lines.
  • Set it in an open spot, away from trees, roofs, or walls.
  • Check it together after any real rain, and describe the amount using little, some, or a lot.
  • If it does not rain this week, test the gauge with water from a cup so the tool still gets used.
Talk about it:
  • Why do we need a tool to measure rain instead of just guessing?
  • Was it a little rain or a lot?
  • What else could you use to measure if you did not have a ruler?

Mastery looks like: They set out a simple rain gauge, read the water level after rain, and describe the amount using clear comparison words.

Common stumbles: Placing the gauge under a roof or tree so it does not catch all the rain; spilling or bumping it before reading the level.

Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Science for this learner.
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