Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes
Put the four seasons in order
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: Put the four seasons in order.
- 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: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.
Leads to: Which season is it? Read the clues
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: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which season comes straight after summer? (spring / winter / autumn (fall)) → autumn (fall)Prompt: Say the seasons in a circle: spring, summer, …
- Which season comes just BEFORE winter? (spring / summer / autumn (fall) / winter) → autumn (fall)Prompt: The order is spring, summer, autumn (fall), winter, then spring again.
- Which season comes TWO seasons after summer? (spring / summer / autumn (fall) / winter) → winterPrompt: The order is spring, summer, autumn (fall), winter, then spring again.
Hook · 3 min
- Show today's forecast and ask what it means for the class and how forecasters know.
- Share the objective: Put the four seasons in order. 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: Which season comes straight after winter?
- Step 1: spring → summer → autumn (fall) → winter → spring
- Step 2: So the answer is: spring
- Answer: spring
- 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.
- Which season comes straight after summer? (spring / autumn (fall) / winter) → autumn (fall)Prompt: Say the seasons in a circle: spring, summer, …
- Which season comes TWO seasons after spring? (spring / summer / autumn (fall) / winter) → autumn (fall)Prompt: The order is spring, summer, autumn (fall), winter, then spring again.
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.
- Which season comes just BEFORE spring? (spring / summer / autumn (fall) / winter) → winterPrompt: The order is spring, summer, autumn (fall), winter, then spring again.
- Which season comes straight after winter? (summer / spring / autumn (fall)) → springPrompt: Say the seasons in a circle: spring, summer, …
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
- 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: Which season is it? Read the clues.
- 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