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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 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 wind? (frozen water / light from the Sun / falling water / moving air) → moving airPrompt: You can feel it but not see it.
  3. What would you take on a snowy, cold day? (an umbrella / a raincoat / a scarf / a sun hat) → a scarfPrompt: 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 which direction the wind comes from? (wind vane / rain gauge / thermometer / anemometer) → wind vanePrompt: Is it about rain, temperature, wind speed, wind direction or pressure?
  2. What does a rain gauge measure? (the rainfall in millimetres / how fast the wind is blowing / whether the wind is from the north or south / wind speed) → the rainfall in millimetresPrompt: 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 / rain gauge / anemometer / barometer) → rain gaugePrompt: Is it about rain, temperature, wind speed, wind direction or pressure?
  2. What does a barometer measure? (whether the wind is from the north or south / air pressure / how fast the wind is blowing / wind speed) → air pressurePrompt: 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)0246810123Mon3Tue7Wed11Thu3Fri

    Answermm

  2. Question 2

    What does a thermometer measure?

    • A. the temperature in °C
    • B. whether the wind is from the north or south
    • C. how much rain fell today
    • D. which direction the wind comes from

  3. Question 3

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

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

  4. Question 4

    Which instrument would you use to measure whether the wind is from the north or south?

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

  5. Question 5

    What does a wind vane measure?

    • A. whether the wind is from the north or south
    • B. how warm the air is
    • C. whether pressure is rising or falling
    • D. air pressure

  6. Question 6

    Which instrument would you use to measure how fast the wind is blowing?

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

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Answer key: Measuring the weather

  1. 1. 27 mm

  2. 2. A. the temperature in °C

  3. 3. D. rain gauge

  4. 4. C. wind vane

  5. 5. A. whether the wind is from the north or south

  6. 6. C. anemometer