Weather and Climate

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 1
Lesson Number: 5 of 15 in Exploring Our World
Duration: 40 minutes
Curriculum Area: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – Geography
Australian Curriculum Reference: ACHASSK032 – The natural, managed and constructed features of places, their location, how they change and how they can be cared for.

Lesson Description:
Students will explore the difference between weather and climate, discussing how these elements influence the places we live. They will engage in hands-on activities, storytelling, and creative drawing to solidify their understanding in a fun and interactive way.

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Describe what weather is and give examples (e.g. sunny, rainy, windy).
• Explain the difference between weather and climate using simple language.
• Identify how weather affects daily life and different activities.
• Recognise how climate varies across Australia (e.g. tropical in the north, dry in the centre, temperate in the south).

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Materials Needed

• Large world map and Australian climate zone map
• Weather symbols (sun, clouds, rain, wind, snow – printed or drawn on cards)
• Chart paper and markers
• Coloured pencils and A4 paper for drawing activity
• A short weather-related picture book (suggested: "Ella’s Aussie Weather Adventure" – a fictional story about a kangaroo exploring different climates)
• A pre-printed "Weather vs Climate" sorting chart

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Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes) – Let’s Talk About Weather!

1. Engage with the class by asking:
   • What is the weather like today?
   • Have you seen different types of weather? Where?
   • Can weather change during the day?
2. Introduce the word 'climate' by saying:
   • Weather changes every day, but climate is what the weather is like over a long time in one place.
   • For example, does it snow in the desert? Why not?
3. Show the Australian climate map to explain how different parts experience different climate patterns.

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Body (20 minutes) – Explore Through Stories & Activities

Activity 1: Story Time (5 minutes)

• Read or tell a short story, "Ella’s Aussie Weather Adventure", about a kangaroo travelling across Australia experiencing different climates (e.g. wet tropics, dry outback, cool mountains).
• Ask students:
  • How does Ella’s journey show different types of weather?
  • What would happen if Ella visited the same place at a different time of year?

Activity 2: Weather vs Climate Sorting (7 minutes)

• Using a "Weather vs Climate" sorting chart, students will place pictures or word cards into the correct category.
• Example prompts:
  • "It rained yesterday" → Weather
  • "Summers in Darwin are always hot and humid" → Climate
• Reinforce that weather is short-term, while climate is what we expect in a place over a long time.

Activity 3: My Favourite Weather (8 minutes)

• Students draw and colour a picture of their favourite type of weather, showing what activities they enjoy in that weather.
• Encourage students to include clothing choices and surroundings (e.g. beach scene for sunny weather, puddles for rainy weather).
• Volunteers share their artwork and explain why that weather is their favourite.

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Conclusion (10 minutes) – Reflect and Relate

1. Quick Review Game: "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down"
   • Teacher says a statement, and students show thumbs up if they agree, thumbs down if they disagree.
   • Example:
     • "Weather and climate are the same thing." (Thumbs down)
     • "It is always cold in Antarctica." (Thumbs up)
2. Real-World Connection: Ask students to predict tomorrow’s weather and discuss how it might affect their plans (e.g. playing outside, wearing a raincoat).

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Assessment & Observation

Teachers can assess understanding through:

• Verbal responses during discussions.
• Sorting activity performance.
• Drawings that appropriately show a type of weather and activities related to it.

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Extension Activity (Optional)

• Weather Journal: Over the next week, students will track the daily weather using drawings and words, discussing how it changes.
• Indigenous Weather Knowledge: Discuss how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have used knowledge of seasonal weather patterns for thousands of years.

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This interactive and engaging lesson encourages Year 1 students to think critically about their world while incorporating storytelling, art, and hands-on activities. By making learning fun and meaningful, students deepen their understanding of Australia’s diverse climate and how weather impacts daily life! ☀️🌧❄️