Introduction

'When a cow tries to scratch her ear it means a shower is very near. '

Folklore is a type of story or saying that has been passed on through families and cultures over time. Many of the weather folklore sayings are well known - are they true? Ask a farmer who relies on the weather for his crops.

Below is a list of questions about weather folklore. With a partner, visit the Internet links on this page to find answers to the questions. Don't forget to complete the Brainstorm Web at the end of this activity. Have fun and remember:

'Whether it’s cold or whether it’s hot...
We shall have weather, whether or not! '

Questions

1. Winter Weatherlore and Folklore Forecasts - From the weather folklore on this site will we have a cold winter? Why or why not?
   
   
2. Weather Folklore from Weekend Gardner - If you get up in the morning and the sky is very red at sunrise, what does that mean? What would it tell a sailor?
   
   
3. Weather Whizkids - Weather Folklore - Read the weather rhymes on this page. have you ever heard any of them before? Which one makes the most sense to you and why?
   
   
4. There are two more versions of the folklore 'A red sky at night...'. Folklore from Weather World - Find them and compare the versions. Which gives you the best picture in your mind?
   
   
5. Weather Lore Stories - Pick one of these stories and read it with a partner. These stories are called 'Tall Tales' as they stretch the truth. Think of a weather situation and with your partner, write your own weather 'Tall Tale'.
   
   
6. Wiarton Willie's 2004 Prediction - What is your prediction for this February 2nd?
   
   

The Internet Resources

• Winter Weatherlore and Folklore Forecasts
• Weather Folklore from Weekend Gardner
• Weather Whizkids - Weather Folklore
• Folklore from Weather World
• Weather Lore Stories
• Wiarton Willie's 2004 Prediction

The Big Question

With your partner, create a brainstorm web to share what you have learned about weather. Open up the AppleWorks drawing program to create your web.