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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 45 minutes

The seasons

Weather and climate

CCSS NGSS.1-ESS1-2CCSS NGSS.K-ESS2-1England: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changes

Objective and success criteria

Students will: The seasons.

  • 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: Earth's orbit, years and seasons; Hours of daylight change through the year

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 a thick coat for? (a sunny, hot day / a rainy day / a snowy, cold day) → a snowy, cold dayPrompt: Does it keep you cool, dry or warm?
  2. What is snow? (white rain / cold wind / frozen water falling as soft ice crystals / clouds on the ground) → frozen water falling as soft ice crystalsPrompt: It only falls when it is very cold.
  3. What would you take on a rainy day? (a raincoat / a thick coat / sunglasses / a sun hat) → a raincoatPrompt: 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: The seasons. 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: In which season do many trees lose their leaves?
  • Step 1: Deciduous trees drop their leaves in autumn (fall).
  • Step 2: So the answer is: autumn (fall)
  • Answer: autumn (fall)
  • 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. In which season do many trees lose their leaves? (summer / spring / autumn (fall) / none) → autumn (fall)Prompt: The leaves turn brown, red and yellow first.
  2. Seasons: which statement is NOT true? (There are four seasons in a year in the UK and most of the US. / It is usually warmer in summer than in winter. / Winter has the shortest days. / Trees lose their leaves in spring.) → Trees lose their leaves in spring.Prompt: Is it the same season everywhere at once?

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 6 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. Seasons: which statement is NOT true? (Seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. / Days are the same length all year round in the UK and US. / It is usually warmer in summer than in winter. / There are four seasons in a year in the UK and most of the US.) → Days are the same length all year round in the UK and US.Prompt: Is it the same season everywhere at once?
  2. In which season do many trees lose their leaves? (autumn (fall) / spring / summer / none) → autumn (fall)Prompt: The leaves turn brown, red and yellow first.

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: Earth's orbit, years and seasons; Hours of daylight change through the year.
  • 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-1.

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

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The seasons

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Seasons: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Trees lose their leaves in spring.
    • B. It is usually warmer in summer than in winter.
    • C. Winter has the shortest days.
    • D. There are four seasons in a year in the UK and most of the US.

  2. Question 2

    In which season are the days longest?

    • A. autumn (fall)
    • B. winter
    • C. spring
    • D. summer

  3. Question 3

    In which season are the days shortest?

    • A. autumn (fall)
    • B. winter
    • C. summer
    • D. spring

  4. Question 4

    In which season do many trees lose their leaves?

    • A. summer
    • B. spring
    • C. autumn (fall)
    • D. none

  5. Question 5

    In Australia and New Zealand, which season is it in December?

    • A. winter
    • B. spring
    • C. summer
    • D. autumn (fall)

  6. Question 6

    In which season do many plants start to grow new leaves and flowers?

    • A. winter
    • B. autumn (fall)
    • C. none
    • D. spring

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Answer key: The seasons

  1. 1. A. Trees lose their leaves in spring.

  2. 2. D. summer

  3. 3. B. winter

  4. 4. C. autumn (fall)

  5. 5. C. summer

  6. 6. D. spring