Year 1: Seasonal changes
This list consists of lesson plans, activities and songs and video clips to support the teaching of seasonal changes in Year One. It contains tips on using the resources, suggestions for further use and background subject knowledge. Possible misconceptions are highlighted so that teachers may plan lessons to facilitate correct conceptual understanding. Designed to support the new curriculum programme of study it aims to cover many of the requirements for knowledge and understanding and working scientifically. The statutory requirements are that children are taught to:
· observe changes across the four seasons
· observe and describe weather associated with the seasons and how day length varies.
Visit the primary science webpage to access all lists.
Seasonal changes: wonderful weather
This resource provides an opportunity for making tables and charts about the weather. Make rain gauges and place them in different areas around the playground. This then provides a great opportunity to develop measuring skills as they collect and measure the amount collected each day for a week. Fill in a chart to show how full the gauge was each day. To make it easier represent the rainfall using empty, half-full or full, then show this on a chart. The results over a longer time period could be observed and discussed, with children creating a class display of the water collected for each month.
Seasonal Changes
This activity helps illustrate seasonal changes and how daylight length change over the course of a year. It contains a 4 seasons weather disc template for children to make. The disc highlights 4 different times of the day and what may be observed at these times during the different seasons.
Seasons and weather
A whole host of activities linked to seasons and the weather.
Our Changing World Display Poster
This resource linked to the topic of seasonal changes contains a display banner showing the changing of the seasons from Spring to Summer, Autumn to Winter. It is ideal to use as part of a classroom display when discussing the different seasons in early years and lower primary.
Weather and Seasons Word Mats
A time saving resource containing a selection of word mats displaying keywords and illustrations relating to the weather and the four seasons. It provides an ideal literacy aid / prompt when discussing the seasons. These posters will also provide a stimulating display when learning about the seasons:
Seasons song
This song with images is a fun way to learn about different types of weather, and how people prepare for the expected weather conditions. Discuss how people would prepare for different types of weather and the types of clothes they would wear. Show pictures of different activities and ask children to think about the weather they would like e.g. a skier, a child with a kite, hanging out washing, playing on the beach, playing in the snow, skating and playing in the park.
It is worth noting that children often think that it is winter because it is cold and snowy, or that it is summer because it is hot. It is in fact cold because it is winter. This often confuses children especially as the UK weather can also be 'unusual' for the time of year!
Seasons spotter sheets
This series of spotter sheets are useful when identifying living things in their habitats at different times of the year. They contain sheets for each of the seasons include sheets which help to identify:
- Autumn leaves
- Autumn wildlife
- Trees in spring
- Spring wildflowers
- Summer flowers
- Summer waders
- Woodland wildlife in summer
Ginn Science Activity Sheets: Year One
A treasure chest of activity ideas and worksheets to supplement learning in Year One. Use the seasons sheets to compare the four seasons and the activities we do in each.
