Overview

Duration: 50 minutes
Class Size: 4 students
Unit: Seasons and Living Things (Lesson 2 of 21)
Curriculum Alignment: National Curriculum for England (Science – Year 1)
Topic: Observing and describing weather across seasons

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Observe and describe different types of weather they experience in each season.
• Use simple scientific vocabulary related to weather (e.g., sunny, rainy, windy, cold, warm).
• Make basic weather observations through sensory experience.
• Record their observations in drawings and simple sentences.
• Begin to understand and communicate how weather changes with the seasons.

National Curriculum Links:

• Science Year 1 – Plants and Seasonal Change:
  Pupils should observe changes across the four seasons.
• Working scientifically:
  • Asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways.
  • Observing closely using simple equipment.
  • Performing simple tests.
  • Identifying and classifying.
  • Using observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.

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Resources Needed

• Weather observation worksheet (with space for drawing and simple sentences)
• Clipboards and pencils
• Weather vocabulary picture cards (sun, cloud, rain, wind, snow, etc.)
• A simple weather chart with symbols for sunny, rainy, windy, cloudy, snowy, cold, warm
• Weather measuring tools (optional): A thermometer or wind sock (for demonstration)
• Outdoor space (school playground or garden)

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Lesson Steps

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Engage: Sit in a circle and show the weather vocabulary cards. Invite each child to name the weather they like best and say why.
• Explain: Introduce the title “Weather Watch” and tell pupils that today we will step outside to observe the weather carefully and talk about how it feels on our skin and what we see in the sky.
• Recall: Briefly recap last lesson’s learning about seasons to link to today’s focus on weather differences.

2. Outdoor Weather Exploration (15 minutes)

• Take pupils outside equipped with clipboards, worksheet, and pencils.
• Ask children to spend a few minutes quietly observing the sky, air, and surroundings. Encourage them to feel the air on their face and hands.
• Together, prompt them to identify what type of weather it is today using the weather chart and cards.
• Children draw what they can see in the sky and write a simple sentence about the weather with assistance if needed. Example sentence starters:
  • “Today it is...”
  • “I can see...”
  • “I feel...”

3. Group Discussion and Weather Diary (10 minutes)

• Come back indoors and share drawings and sentences.
• Discuss: How does today’s weather feel? How might it be different in another season?
• Display a large laminated seasonal weather chart and suggest seasonal weather characteristics (e.g., “In winter, it is often colder and sometimes snows”).
• Discuss briefly the relationship between seasons and changes in weather.

4. Creative Extension Activity (10 minutes)

• Each pupil chooses one season to draw the weather they imagine in that season (sunny summer, rainy autumn, snowy winter, windy spring).
• Encourage using weather vocabulary and colours to show feelings and descriptions.

5. Plenary and Assessment (5 minutes)

• Quick round robin: ask each pupil one thing they learned about weather or seasons today.
• Use informal assessment by observing participation, descriptions, and drawings for understanding.
• Praise accurate use of vocabulary and careful observation.

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Differentiation / Special Needs Considerations

• Provide sentence starters and vocabulary cards for pupils requiring writing support.
• Use visual aids and physical weather-related props (like a scarf for cold, or sunshine glasses).
• Allow pupils to express observations verbally if writing is difficult.

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Teacher Notes / Tips

• Be ready to model observation skills: pointing out clouds, feeling the breeze.
• For very small groups, offer personalized questioning to deepen understanding.
• Link sensory experience ("How does the wind feel?") to vocabulary development.
• Encourage phrase repetition for confidence in vocabulary using a ‘weather chant’ before outdoor exploration.

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Assessment of Learning

• Teacher observations of pupils using vocabulary correctly during discussion.
• Weather worksheets evaluated for understanding of weather features and ability to communicate observation.
• Oral responses during plenary show comprehension of how weather changes with seasons.

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Summary

This lesson actively engages Year 1 pupils in hands-on sensory exploration of weather phenomena linked to seasons, developing key observational and descriptive skills mandated by the National Curriculum. It blends outdoor learning with creative expression and reinforces scientific vocabulary in a small, supportive group setting.