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Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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 rainy day? (an umbrella / a woolly hat / shorts / a sun hat) → an umbrellaPrompt: Think about keeping cool, dry or warm.

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 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. Look at the clues: The ground covered in white, and children making a snowman. What is the weather like? (rainy / sunny / cloudy / snowy) → snowyPrompt: Think about what you would see and feel outside.
  2. Why are there puddles on the playground this morning? (The puddles grew out of the ground. / It rained while we were asleep. / The wind brought them. / The Sun made the puddles.) → It rained while we were asleep.Prompt: Where does water on the ground usually come from?

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Look at the clues: The ground covered in white, and children making a snowman. What is the weather like? (rainy / stormy / snowy / sunny) → snowyPrompt: Think about what you would see and feel outside.
  2. True or false? It is always sunny in the morning and rainy at night. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Think about weather you have seen yourself.

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

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Describe the weather from clues

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Weather forecasters say there will be snow tomorrow. What will the temperature be like?

    • A. the same as a summer day
    • B. warm like a bath
    • C. very hot
    • D. very cold

  2. Question 2

    Look at the clues: People holding umbrellas and puddles on the ground. What is the weather like?

    • A. foggy
    • B. sunny
    • C. rainy
    • D. snowy

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Weather can change from day to day.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    A kite flies high and the washing on the line flaps. What weather is it?

    • A. still and calm
    • B. windy
    • C. snowy
    • D. foggy

  5. Question 5

    Look at the clues: A bright sky, sharp shadows and people wearing sunglasses. What is the weather like?

    • A. stormy
    • B. foggy
    • C. sunny
    • D. snowy

  6. Question 6

    True or false? You can see the wind.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    Look at the clues: Flashes of light in the sky and loud rumbles. What is the weather like?

    • A. windy
    • B. snowy
    • C. stormy
    • D. foggy

  8. Question 8

    Why are there puddles on the playground this morning?

    • A. It rained while we were asleep.
    • B. The wind brought them.
    • C. The puddles grew out of the ground.
    • D. The Sun made the puddles.

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Answer key: Describe the weather from clues

  1. 1. D. very cold

  2. 2. C. rainy

  3. 3. A. True

  4. 4. B. windy

  5. 5. C. sunny

  6. 6. B. False

  7. 7. C. stormy

  8. 8. A. It rained while we were asleep.