Science lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 30 minutes
Measuring the weather
Weather and climate
CCSS NGSS.K-ESS2-1CCSS NGSS.3-ESS2-1England: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changesEngland: KS1 Working scientifically
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Measuring the weather.
- 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: Reading weather data; Air pressure, fronts and forecasting the weather
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.
- What kind of weather would you wear or take a thick coat for? (a sunny, hot day / a rainy day / a snowy, cold day) → a snowy, cold dayPrompt: Does it keep you cool, dry or warm?
- What is snow? (cold wind / frozen water falling as soft ice crystals / clouds on the ground / white rain) → frozen water falling as soft ice crystalsPrompt: It only falls when it is very cold.
- What would you take on a snowy, cold day? (a sun hat / an umbrella / sun cream (sunscreen) / gloves) → glovesPrompt: 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: Measuring the weather. 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 instrument would you use to measure the temperature in °C?
- Step 1: A thermometer measures temperature.
- Step 2: So the answer is: thermometer
- Answer: thermometer
- 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 instrument would you use to measure how warm the air is? (thermometer / barometer / wind vane / anemometer) → thermometerPrompt: Is it about rain, temperature, wind speed, wind direction or pressure?
- What does a wind vane measure? (how fast the wind is blowing / which direction the wind comes from / how warm the air is / whether pressure is rising or falling) → which direction the wind comes fromPrompt: Think about what each instrument looks like and does.
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.
- What does a wind vane measure? (the rainfall in millimetres / whether the wind is from the north or south / how warm the air is / air pressure) → whether the wind is from the north or southPrompt: Think about what each instrument looks like and does.
- Which instrument would you use to measure how much rain fell today? (rain gauge / thermometer / barometer / wind vane) → rain gaugePrompt: Is it about rain, temperature, wind speed, wind direction or pressure?
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: Reading weather data; Air pressure, fronts and forecasting the weather.
- 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/grade-2.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder