Year 1 Science Seasonal Changes – Block 1SC – Wonderful Weather

Session 1:What do we know about weather?
Science curriculum area(1SC): / Content (1SC)
i. observe changes across the four seasons
ii. observe and describe weather associated with the seasons and how day length varies
Working Scientifically (KS1 WS) / Working Scientifically (KS1 WS)
i) asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
ii) observing closely, using simple equipment
iii) performing simple tests
iv) identifying and classifying
v)using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
vi) gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
Teaching Objectives /
  • To consider what they already know about weather and generate questions
  • To make observations and respond appropriately
  • To look at weather forecasts and the symbols used by forecasters
  • To create weather forecasts about the weather at school

Key Vocabulary:rain, snow, storm, thunder, lightning, cloudy, clothing, warm, cold, forecast
Resources
Weather symbols and Weather Symbol Snap, large sheets of paper, glue, pencils, clipboards, Talking about Weather resource, recording devices, enlarged maps of the school area (photocopied road map, aerial image on the IWB or Smart boards, simple outline drawn on sugar paper or vinyl maps of the UK, etc.), sticky tack. / Weblinks
- Archived weather forecasts from the Met Office.
Before the session:Collect teddies and dolls and different clothing for different weather. Place a selection on tables for group work (or have one at the front of the class for the whole class). Photocopy the Weather Symbols from the resources. Enlarge one set for the whole class to see and then make sure each pair has several sets for playing Weather Symbol Snap.
Whole class:Ask the class to sit on the carpet and show them the different weather symbols (enlarged set from resources). Hold each one up and ask them to act out how the symbols make them feel. Model this for them (e.g. hold up the snowy one and pretend to shiver). When you hold up the lightning symbol, observe their reactions but reassure them that thunder and lightning aren't scary if they are watching and listening from a safe place (like their homes). Hold up the symbol of the rain and sun and ask them:What do we sometimes see in the sky when it is raining and the sun is out? (Rainbow).
Activities:Give each group a different weather symbol and send them to the tables, challenging them to dress the teddy appropriately for the weather they have been given. Alternatively, do that together on the carpet if you only have one teddy and limited clothing for it. Then give each group a weather symbol and ask them to place it in the centre of their large sheets of paper. Say: I would like you to talk to each other about your weather symbol. Ask each other how it makes you feel, what facts you know about this weather, what clothes you need to wear, what experiences you have of this type of weather. Think of questions and things you would like to find out. Then draw and write these things all over the paper, keeping the weather symbol in the middle. Allow the chn to discuss and have time to think and fill their paper. Then collect the sheets and display them so everyone can refer to them in future sessions. Show the chn some weather forecasts from the Met Office website (see Weblinks). Ask them to talk about what they notice (For example, the weather symbols, the way the forecaster stands to the side of a large map, the map shows the whole of the UK and then a local area). Give the chn the resource sheet "Talking about Weather", a clipboard and a pencil and go outside. Encourage the chn to work in their groups to fill in the sheet and talk about the weather. Then, when you have spent some time outside, come back inside and ask the groups to practise their weather reports, following the instructions on the sheet and using the weather symbols from the Snap game. They will need a very simple background map for their weather report (see above) and sticky tack.
Plenary / Come together as a class and ask each group to perform their weather forecast. You may want to record their work on devices. Challenge them to watch a weather report on the television before the next lesson so they can talk about it in class.
Outcomes / Children will
  • Consider what they already know about weather and generate questions
  • Go outside and look at the weather, observe the temperature, wind, etc.
  • Apply their understandingby the dressing up of a teddy appropriately for weather conditions
  • Show their understanding, and ability to use their observations, by devising their own weather forecasts

© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.

We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.