Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 45 minutes
Count the days on a weather chart
Weather and climate
CCSS NGSS.K-ESS2-1CCSS NGSS.SEP 4England: EYFS Understanding the World: The natural worldEngland: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changesEngland: KS1 Working scientifically
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Count the days on a weather chart.
- 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: Describe the weather from clues
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 (Describe the weather from clues). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Look at the clues: You cannot see the end of the street because the air is thick and misty. What is the weather like? (foggy / windy / stormy / rainy) → foggyPrompt: Think about what you would see and feel outside.
- Why are there puddles on the playground this morning? (The Sun made the puddles. / The puddles grew out of the ground. / The wind brought them. / It rained while we were asleep.) → It rained while we were asleep.Prompt: Where does water on the ground usually come from?
- True or false? Weather forecasters tell us what the weather will probably be like. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Think about weather you have seen yourself.
Hook · 5 min
- Show today's forecast and ask what it means for the class and how forecasters know.
- Share the objective: Count the days on a weather chart. 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: Describe the weather from clues.
- 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/kindergarten.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder