• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Weather and climate zones). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. What type of climate does Ireland have? (polar / tropical / desert (arid) / temperate) → temperatePrompt: Is it near the poles, near the equator, very dry, or in between?
2. What is the difference between weather and climate? (Weather is day-to-day conditions; climate is the average pattern over many years / Climate is only about rain / Weather lasts for years; climate changes every hour / They mean the same) → Weather is day-to-day conditions; climate is the average pattern over many yearsPrompt: Today's rain is weather. What about "wet winters every year"?
3. Climate: which statement is NOT true? (Deserts can be very cold at night. / Weather can change from day to day. / It is hotter at the equator because it is closer to the Sun. / Climate is the typical weather of a place over many years.) → It is hotter at the equator because it is closer to the Sun.Prompt: Is a desert defined by heat or by rain?

• Show today's forecast and ask what it means for the class and how forecasters know.
• Share the objective: Weather or climate? Tell the difference. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Is this about weather or climate: "The Sahara is hot and dry most of the year."
• Step 1: Climate is the average weather of a place over about 30 years or more.
• Step 2: So the answer is: climate (the usual pattern over many years)
• Answer: climate (the usual pattern over many years)
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Is this about weather or climate: "The Sahara is hot and dry most of the year." (weather (what it is like now or this week) / climate (the usual pattern over many years)) → climate (the usual pattern over many years)Prompt: Is it about a single day or week, or about what is usual over many years?
2. Which question is about climate? (What is the usual July temperature in Rome? / Will it rain at lunchtime today? / Was it windy yesterday? / Should I take an umbrella this afternoon?) → What is the usual July temperature in Rome?Prompt: Which one asks about what is normal over many years?

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Is this about weather or climate: "It snowed on Tuesday." (weather (what it is like now or this week) / climate (the usual pattern over many years)) → weather (what it is like now or this week)Prompt: Is it about a single day or week, or about what is usual over many years?
2. Which sentence describes climate? (Spain's south coast usually has hot, dry summers. / It is sunny in Seville today. / A storm is coming this weekend. / It rained yesterday.) → Spain's south coast usually has hot, dry summers.Prompt: Look for words like "usually" or "most years".

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-3.