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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.
  1. What kind of weather would you wear or take sunglasses for? (a sunny, hot day / a rainy day / a snowy, cold day) → a sunny, hot dayPrompt: Does it keep you cool, dry or warm?
  2. What is snow? (cold wind / white rain / clouds on the ground / frozen water falling as soft ice crystals) → 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 / sunglasses / sun cream (sunscreen) / a thick coat) → 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: 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.
  1. Which instrument would you use to measure air pressure? (barometer / anemometer / thermometer / rain gauge) → barometerPrompt: Is it about rain, temperature, wind speed, wind direction or pressure?
  2. What does a wind vane measure? (which direction the wind comes from / air pressure / the rainfall in millimetres / how much rain fell today) → 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.
  1. Which instrument would you use to measure how much rain fell today? (wind vane / thermometer / rain gauge / anemometer) → rain gaugePrompt: Is it about rain, temperature, wind speed, wind direction or pressure?
  2. What does a rain gauge measure? (how much rain fell today / wind speed / how warm the air is / air pressure) → how much rain fell todayPrompt: Think about what each instrument looks like and does.

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

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Measuring the weather

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    A class read their rain gauge every day. The chart shows the rainfall in mm. What was the total rainfall for the week, in mm?

    Rainfall (mm)0241Mon1Tue0Wed4Thu1Fri

    Answermm

  2. Question 2

    What does a thermometer measure?

    • A. the rainfall in millimetres
    • B. whether pressure is rising or falling
    • C. how fast the wind is blowing
    • D. how warm the air is

  3. Question 3

    Which instrument would you use to measure which direction the wind comes from?

    • A. wind vane
    • B. barometer
    • C. anemometer
    • D. thermometer

  4. Question 4

    What does a rain gauge measure?

    • A. how warm the air is
    • B. the rainfall in millimetres
    • C. the temperature in °C
    • D. whether the wind is from the north or south

  5. Question 5

    Which instrument would you use to measure how warm the air is?

    • A. wind vane
    • B. thermometer
    • C. rain gauge
    • D. anemometer

  6. Question 6

    Which instrument would you use to measure how much rain fell today?

    • A. barometer
    • B. wind vane
    • C. thermometer
    • D. rain gauge

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Answer key: Measuring the weather

  1. 1. 7 mm

  2. 2. D. how warm the air is

  3. 3. A. wind vane

  4. 4. B. the rainfall in millimetres

  5. 5. B. thermometer

  6. 6. D. rain gauge