Hot Weather Features

Lesson Overview

• Subject: Geography
• Year Group: Year 1
• Unit: Weather Wonders: Hot vs. Cold (Lesson 3 of 12)
• Lesson Title: Hot Weather Characteristics
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Class Size: 30 students
• Curriculum Reference: KS1 Geography - Weather and Climate (National Curriculum for England)
  • Pupils should identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and compare hot and cold areas of the world.
• Learning Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
  • Identify key characteristics of hot weather.
  • Describe activities and clothing suitable for hot conditions.
  • Compare hot and cold environments using descriptive words.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Starter (10 minutes) – A Hot Day Experience

• Teacher’s Hook: Begin by acting super hot – fanning yourself, pretending to wipe sweat, saying, “Wow, it feels like such a hot day today!”
• Think-Pair-Share:
  1. Ask students: “What does hot weather feel like? What do you think happens on a hot day?”
  2. They pair up and discuss.
  3. Bring ideas together as a full class.
• Visual Stimulus: Display two pictures – one of a hot sunny day and one of a snowy landscape. Ask, “Which picture looks warm? Why?”

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2. Main Activity (30 minutes) – Exploring Hot Weather

A. Sensory Exploration (10 minutes) – Touch, Feel, Imagine

• Create a hot weather box on the teacher’s table:
  • Sunglasses, a sun hat, a bottle of water, sun cream, a summer dress/swimwear, a toy ice lolly, a sandcastle model.
• Question & Answer: “When would we use these? How do they help us in the heat?”
• Allow 3-4 volunteers to describe one item each.

B. Hot Weather Actions Game (10 minutes)

• Teacher’s Call & Action:
  • “It’s really sunny!” → Pretend to put on sunglasses.
  • “The sun is too strong!” → Mimic applying sun cream.
  • “Let’s go to the beach!” → Pretend to build a sandcastle.
  • “It’s so hot!” → Fan yourself dramatically.
• Encourage Choral Responses: Get all students engaged physically!

C. Partner Discussion & Drawing Task (10 minutes)

• Pairs Discussion: “What do you like to do on a hot day?”
• Drawing Task: Each child draws their favourite hot weather activity (e.g., eating ice cream, playing outside, swimming).
• Label their pictures with at least 3 words from the class brainstorm (e.g., sunshine, warm, beach).

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3. Plenary (15 minutes) – Class Reflection & Sorting Activity

A. Discussion: “True or False?”

• Ask quick Yes/No or True/False questions:
  • “We wear thick jumpers in hot weather.” (False)
  • “Sunglasses protect our eyes from the sun.” (True)
  • “We drink hot chocolate when it’s hot outside.” (False)

B. Hot vs. Cold Weather Sorting Game (5 minutes)

• Two hoops or sorting board: Label one side ‘HOT WEATHER’ and the other ‘COLD WEATHER’.
• Give students images of different weather-related items and have them sort them into categories (e.g., woolly hat vs. sun hat).

C. Exit Reflection (2 minutes) – “One Thing I Learned Today”

• Go around the room and ask students to share one new thing they learned about hot weather.

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Extension & Home Learning

• Challenge Task: Ask children to predict tomorrow’s weather by looking outside after school. Encourage them to share their forecast in the next lesson.
• Creative Task: Encourage children to design their own summer outfit for a very hot day and bring it to the next lesson.

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Resources Needed

✅ Picture cards (hot vs. cold weather)
✅ Sensory objects (sunglasses, sun hat, toy ice lolly, etc.)
✅ Sorting hoops or a board
✅ Colouring materials
✅ Whiteboard & markers

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Teacher’s Reflection (Post-Lesson Notes)

• What went well?
• Were students engaged in the sensory activities?
• Did students successfully describe clothing and activities for hot weather?
• What could be refined for the next lesson?

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Wow Factor & Engagement

✅ Multi-sensory learning: Touching real objects (hats, sunglasses) makes learning real for young students.
✅ Dramatic teaching strategies: Making exaggerated “hot” movements grabs attention.
✅ Movement-based activities: Keeps Year 1 students actively engaged.
✅ Visual thinking: Using pictures and sorting games helps solidify concepts.

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This lesson plan maximises interaction, keeps young minds engaged, and builds real-world connections, making geography exciting for Year 1 students!