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Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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 northern Greenland have? (polar / tropical / desert (arid) / temperate) → polarPrompt: 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 / They mean the same / Weather lasts for years; climate changes every hour) → 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? (Places near the equator are usually hot all year. / Weather can change from day to day. / One cold day proves the climate is getting colder. / Climate is the typical weather of a place over many years.) → One cold day proves the climate is getting colder.Prompt: Is a desert defined by heat or by rain?

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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: "Rainforests get heavy rain all year round." (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? (Will it rain at lunchtime today? / Should I take an umbrella this afternoon? / Was it windy yesterday? / What is the usual July temperature in Rome?) → What is the usual July temperature in Rome?Prompt: Which one asks about what is normal over many years?

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 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: "There will be a storm tomorrow night." (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 question is about climate? (Should I take an umbrella this afternoon? / Will it rain at lunchtime today? / Was it windy yesterday? / What is the usual July temperature in Rome?) → What is the usual July temperature in Rome?Prompt: Which one asks about what is normal over many years?

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: "Rainforests get heavy rain all year round."

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

  2. Question 2

    A cold day happens in summer. Does that mean the climate has changed?

    • A. It means there is no climate.
    • B. No, one day is weather; climate is the pattern over many years.
    • C. Yes, summers are now winter.
    • D. Yes, one cold day changes the climate.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? One snowy day proves the climate is getting colder.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Is this about weather or climate: "There will be a storm tomorrow night."

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

  5. Question 5

    Which sentence describes climate?

    • A. Spain's south coast usually has hot, dry summers.
    • B. It rained yesterday.
    • C. It is sunny in Seville today.
    • D. A storm is coming this weekend.

  6. Question 6

    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)

  7. Question 7

    True or false? Climate is what the forecast says for tomorrow.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  8. Question 8

    True or false? Weather and climate mean exactly the same thing.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Weather or climate? Tell the difference

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

  2. 2. B. No, one day is weather; climate is the pattern over many years.

  3. 3. B. False

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

  5. 5. A. Spain's south coast usually has hot, dry summers.

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

  7. 7. B. False

  8. 8. B. False