Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes
Temperature charts: warmest, coldest and range
Weather and climate
CCSS NGSS.3-ESS2-1CCSS NGSS.SEP 4England: KS2 Y3–Y4 Working scientificallyEngland: KS2 Geography links
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Temperature charts: warmest, coldest and range.
- 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: Reading weather data
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 (Reading weather data). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Temperatures (°C) on five days were 26, 17, 23, 26, 21. What was the mean temperature? Give 1 decimal place. → 22.6 °CPrompt: Add the temperatures.
- Temperatures (°C) on five days were 13, 20, 18, 13, 15. What was the mean temperature? Give 1 decimal place. → 15.8 °CPrompt: Add the temperatures.
- Temperatures (°C) on five days were 4, 1, 10, 5, 0. What was the mean temperature? Give 1 decimal place. → 4 °CPrompt: Add the temperatures.
Hook · 5 min
- Show today's forecast and ask what it means for the class and how forecasters know.
- Share the objective: Temperature charts: warmest, coldest and range. 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.
- Model one question from the student sheet, thinking aloud.
- 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.
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.
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: Reading weather data.
- 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