Weather Wonders

Lesson Overview

Subject: Geography
Age Group: Year 1 (Ages 5-6)
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Unit: Weather Wonders: Hot vs. Cold (Lesson 1 of 12)
Curriculum Link: KS1 Geography – Understanding weather patterns and seasonal changes in the UK

Lesson Objectives

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

• Define ‘weather’ in simple terms
• Identify different types of weather (sunny, rainy, windy, snowy, cloudy)
• Discuss their own experiences with weather
• Understand the basic distinction between hot and cold weather

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity – Weather Detective (10 minutes)

Objective: Engage students by encouraging them to think about weather in their own lives.

1. Class Discussion (5 min):

   • Ask: "What do you think weather is?"
   • Show four images (sunny, rainy, snowy, windy) and ask: "Have you seen this weather before? How did it feel?"

2. Weather Charades (5 min):

   • Act out different weather types (shivering for cold, fanning for hot, swaying for wind, etc.).
   • Students guess the weather type and describe how it feels.

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2. Main Teaching – What is Weather? (15 minutes)

Objective: Introduce the concept of weather and common weather conditions.

1. Teacher Explanation (5 min):

   • “Weather is what happens outside every day. Some days are sunny, some are rainy, and some are cold and snowy.”
   • Use real-time observation – ask students to look outside and describe today’s weather.

2. Weather Sorting Game (10 min):

   • Create two large posters labelled Hot Weather and Cold Weather.
   • Give students picture cards (sun, snowflake, puddle, umbrella, sunglasses, etc.).
   • Students take turns sticking them under hot or cold. Ask them why they chose that category.

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3. Interactive Task – Weather Walk & Senses (15 minutes)

Objective: Encourage students to observe the current weather through their senses.

1. Take the class outside for five minutes (weather permitting) to:

   • Feel the temperature (hot or cold?)
   • Look at the sky (Is it sunny, cloudy?)
   • Check for wind (Do we feel air moving?)

2. Back in class (10 min): Discuss findings and fill out a Weather Senses Chart:

   • What did we see? (Clouds, sun, raindrops, bright sky, etc.)
   • What did we feel? (Cold air, warm sun, wind on hands, etc.)
   • What did we hear? (Wind blowing, birds chirping, rain dripping, etc.)

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4. Independent Task – My Weather Picture (10 minutes)

Objective: Consolidate learning by encouraging students to represent weather in drawings.

1. Hand out A4 sheets in two halves labelled HOT and COLD.
2. Students draw their favourite hot weather scene and a cold weather scene.
3. Encourage colour use (yellow for sunny, blue for cold, etc.).
4. Share and discuss drawings in small groups.

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5. Plenary – Weather Song & Review (10 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce learning in a fun, memorable way.

1. Sing a weather song (to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle”):
   🎶 Sunny, rainy, windy too, snowy days are cold for you!
   Clouds are high and full of air, weather’s happening everywhere! 🎶
2. Quick quiz!
   • What weather type do you wear a coat in?
   • What weather makes ice cream melt?
   • What’s today’s weather?

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Assessment

• Verbal responses during discussion/questions.
• Sorting activity success in categorising hot and cold weather.
• Observational notes from the outdoor weather walk.
• Drawing activity to demonstrate understanding of weather types.

Resources Needed

✅ Picture cards of weather types
✅ Two large Hot Weather & Cold Weather posters
✅ A4 drawing sheets (divided in two)
✅ Crayons or coloured pencils
✅ Simple weather song lyrics

Teacher Reflection

• Were students engaged with the weather walk?
• Did they correctly categorise hot and cold weather?
• How did they describe their experiences with weather?
• What adaptations should be made for the next lesson?

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Next Lesson: What Clothes Do We Wear in Different Weather? ☀️🧥

This lesson introduces seasonal clothing and helps students match outfits to the weather.