Across the Ithaca City School District (ICSD), educators create learning experiences that connect classroom lessons to real-world applications. At Enfield Elementary, students recently participated in an engaging weather unit that brought together science, communication, and student voice.
As part of the unit, students partnered with educator Farmer Melissa and storm chaser Chimera Comstock to explore weather patterns that directly impact their daily routines. Through hands-on learning and expert collaboration, students developed skills such as reading thermometers, understanding “feels-like” temperatures, and analyzing how weather conditions influence everyday decisions.
This learning is especially meaningful at Enfield, where the feels-like temperature plays an important role in determining whether students have indoor or outdoor recess. By connecting content to decisions they experience each day, students were able to see how science learning applies beyond the classroom.
To extend their learning, students collaborated to create a morning announcement script focused on weather reporting. Students in grades 3–5 now take turns leading morning announcements, where they record and communicate daily temperatures and weather conditions to the school community. This opportunity allows students to practice public speaking, strengthen communication skills, and develop confidence while sharing important information with their peers and staff.
Experiences like this reflect the ICSD’s commitment to fostering authentic, student-centered learning. By centering student voices and connecting lessons to real-life experiences, our schools help students build both academic knowledge and lifelong skills that prepare them for future success.