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Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes

Describe the weather from clues

Weather and climate

CCSS NGSS.K-ESS2-1England: EYFS Understanding the World: The natural worldEngland: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changes

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Describe the weather from clues.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Types of weather

Leads to: Choose clothes for the weather; Count the days on a weather chart

Materials: Weather maps, Thermometers, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Types of weather). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What kind of weather would you wear or take a scarf for? (a sunny, hot day / a rainy day / a snowy, cold day) → a snowy, cold dayPrompt: Does it keep you cool, dry or warm?
  2. What is snow? (frozen water falling as soft ice crystals / clouds on the ground / white rain / cold wind) → frozen water falling as soft ice crystalsPrompt: It only falls when it is very cold.
  3. What would you take on a snowy, cold day? (shorts / a thick coat / wellington boots (rain boots) / an umbrella) → a thick coatPrompt: Think about keeping cool, dry or warm.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show today's forecast and ask what it means for the class and how forecasters know.
  • Share the objective: Describe the weather from clues. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Look at the clues: You cannot see the end of the street because the air is thick and misty. What is the weather like?
  • Step 1: So the answer is: foggy
  • Answer: foggy
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Look at the clues: Trees bending and leaves blowing along the street. What is the weather like? (cloudy / sunny / windy / stormy) → windyPrompt: Think about what you would see and feel outside.
  2. Weather forecasters say there will be snow tomorrow. What will the temperature be like? (warm like a bath / very cold / very hot / the same as a summer day) → very coldPrompt: What makes water freeze?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. True or false? Weather can change from day to day. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Think about weather you have seen yourself.
  2. Why are there puddles on the playground this morning? (The wind brought them. / The puddles grew out of the ground. / The Sun made the puddles. / It rained while we were asleep.) → It rained while we were asleep.Prompt: Where does water on the ground usually come from?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Types of weather.
  • Use concrete materials: weather maps.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Choose clothes for the weather; Count the days on a weather chart.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/kindergarten.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Describe the weather from clues

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Look at the clues: The ground covered in white, and children making a snowman. What is the weather like?

    • A. stormy
    • B. sunny
    • C. windy
    • D. snowy
  2. Question 2

    Weather forecasters say there will be snow tomorrow. What will the temperature be like?

    • A. the same as a summer day
    • B. very cold
    • C. warm like a bath
    • D. very hot
  3. Question 3

    True or false? Clouds are made of tiny drops of water or bits of ice.

    • A. True
    • B. False
  4. Question 4

    Look at the clues: A bright sky, sharp shadows and people wearing sunglasses. What is the weather like?

    • A. snowy
    • B. cloudy
    • C. stormy
    • D. sunny
  5. Question 5

    A kite flies high and the washing on the line flaps. What weather is it?

    • A. snowy
    • B. still and calm
    • C. windy
    • D. foggy
  6. Question 6

    True or false? It is always sunny in the morning and rainy at night.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Describe the weather from clues

  1. 1. D. snowy

  2. 2. B. very cold

  3. 3. A. True

  4. 4. D. sunny

  5. 5. C. windy

  6. 6. B. False