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Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes

Weather or climate? Tell the difference

Weather and climate

CCSS NGSS.3-ESS2-2England: KS2 Geography linksEngland: KS3 Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere (climate)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Weather or climate? Tell the difference.

  • 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: Weather and climate zones

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

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 (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 the UK 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? (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 years) → 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. / It is hotter at the equator because it is closer to the Sun. / Climate is the typical weather of a place over many years. / Places near the equator are usually hot all year.) → It is hotter at the equator because it is closer to the Sun.Prompt: Is a desert defined by heat or by rain?

Hook · 5 min

  • 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.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • 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.

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. Is this about weather or climate: "It is raining in Madrid this afternoon." (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. Scientists say Earth's climate is warming. What evidence do they use? (a single photo of the Sun / one hot day last week / temperature records from many places over many decades / how people feel today) → temperature records from many places over many decadesPrompt: Climate is about long-term patterns.

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. Is this about weather or climate: "London usually has mild, wet winters." (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. True or false? A desert has a dry climate, even if it rains on one day. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Short time or long time?

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: Weather and climate zones.
  • 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

  • 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-3.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Weather or climate? Tell the difference

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Is this about weather or climate: "It is raining in Madrid this afternoon."

    • A. weather (what it is like now or this week)
    • B. climate (the usual pattern over many years)

  2. Question 2

    Which question is about climate?

    • A. Should I take an umbrella this afternoon?
    • B. What is the usual July temperature in Rome?
    • C. Was it windy yesterday?
    • D. Will it rain at lunchtime today?

  3. Question 3

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

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Is this about weather or climate: "Antarctica is the coldest continent."

    • A. weather (what it is like now or this week)
    • B. climate (the usual pattern over many years)

  5. Question 5

    Scientists say Earth's climate is warming. What evidence do they use?

    • A. how people feel today
    • B. temperature records from many places over many decades
    • C. a single photo of the Sun
    • D. one hot day last week

  6. Question 6

    True or false? A desert has a dry climate, even if it rains on one day.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    Is this about weather or climate: "London usually has mild, wet winters."

    • A. weather (what it is like now or this week)
    • B. climate (the usual pattern over many years)

  8. Question 8

    True or false? Climate describes the usual weather in a place over many years.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Weather or climate? Tell the difference

  1. 1. A. weather (what it is like now or this week)

  2. 2. B. What is the usual July temperature in Rome?

  3. 3. A. True

  4. 4. B. climate (the usual pattern over many years)

  5. 5. B. temperature records from many places over many decades

  6. 6. A. True

  7. 7. B. climate (the usual pattern over many years)

  8. 8. A. True