Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 30 minutes
The seasons
Weather and climate
CCSS NGSS.1-ESS1-2CCSS NGSS.K-ESS2-1England: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changes
Objective and success criteria
Students will: The seasons.
- 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: Earth's orbit, years and seasons; Hours of daylight change through the year
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 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?
- What do we call water falling from clouds? (fog / rain / wind / sunshine) → rainPrompt: You need an umbrella for it.
- What would you take on a sunny, hot day? (gloves / a scarf / a raincoat / sun cream (sunscreen)) → sun cream (sunscreen)Prompt: 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: The seasons. 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: In which season do many trees lose their leaves?
- Step 1: Deciduous trees drop their leaves in autumn (fall).
- Step 2: So the answer is: autumn (fall)
- Answer: autumn (fall)
- 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.
- In which season are the days longest? (spring / autumn (fall) / summer / winter) → summerPrompt: It stays light late in the evening.
- Seasons: which statement is NOT true? (It is usually warmer in summer than in winter. / There are four seasons in a year in the UK and most of the US. / Seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. / Days are the same length all year round in the UK and US.) → Days are the same length all year round in the UK and US.Prompt: Is it the same season everywhere at once?
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 5 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.
- In which season are the days longest? (autumn (fall) / winter / spring / summer) → summerPrompt: It stays light late in the evening.
- Seasons: which statement is NOT true? (It is usually warmer in summer than in winter. / Winter has the shortest days. / Trees lose their leaves in spring. / Seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.) → Trees lose their leaves in spring.Prompt: Is it the same season everywhere at once?
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: Earth's orbit, years and seasons; Hours of daylight change through the year.
- 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-1.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder