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.
- What kind of weather would you wear or take gloves 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 fog? (smoke from fires / a cloud close to the ground / frozen air / heavy rain) → a cloud close to the groundPrompt: It makes it hard to see far.
- What would you take on a rainy day? (sunglasses / a raincoat / shorts / sun cream (sunscreen)) → a raincoatPrompt: 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.
- Look at the clues: The ground covered in white, and children making a snowman. What is the weather like? (foggy / snowy / cloudy / sunny) → snowyPrompt: Think about what you would see and feel outside.
- A kite flies high and the washing on the line flaps. What weather is it? (windy / still and calm / foggy / snowy) → windyPrompt: What moves a kite and the washing?
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.
- True or false? It is always sunny in the morning and rainy at night. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Think about weather you have seen yourself.
- A kite flies high and the washing on the line flaps. What weather is it? (windy / still and calm / snowy / foggy) → windyPrompt: What moves a kite and the washing?
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