How to Make a Rain Gauge Book

You can make a rain gauge at home with a Mason jar and ruler.

Hands-on activities makes science lessons interesting. Teach your students to measure and record data by assigning them a rain gauge diary. Students can make their rain gauges in class, then take the assignment home for the month. By recording the date and amount of rainfall, students will learn about the principles of scientific observation. You can even continue the activity by plotting group data and sharing with the class.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Rain gauge

Instructions

Rain Gauge Book

1. Place your rain gauge outside where it will catch rain. Pick a spot where it will be unlikely to be knocked over or disturbed.

2. Fold the paper in thirds the long way. Use the ruler to draw a straight line along each crease.

3. Label the columns "Date/Time," "Measurement" and "Weather."

4. Check the rain gauge every day. Write down the date and time you check the water level, the level of water (be sure to use the correct label--inches, millimeters or ounces) and the weather that day. For the weather column you may use your own observations or use the information from a weather report (e.g., 5/25 at 9am--0 inch--Sunny, Partly Cloudy high of 101 F, low of 80 F.)

Tips & Warnings

• You can make a rain gauge out of a Mason jar and paper ruler. Tape the paper ruler to the outside of the jar and place outside on a rainy day.

• Decorate your record book with images of rain and water. This is a funky but fun way to save memories.

References

• Franklin's Forecast: Make Your Own Rain Gauge
• USA Today: Old-fashioned Device Measures Rainfall