Winthrop University

Richard W. Riley College of Education

Elementary Science Lesson Planning Template

Title of Lesson: The Four Seasons and Weather

Science Topic: Seasons and Weather

Name: Tristan Langley

Grade level(s): 2
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Date Lesson is Taught: November 13th, 2013

National/State Objective(s) Assessment Mastery or

Standards Tool Performance Level,
Criteria
National
Standards:
Content standard
D: Earth and
Space Science-As
a result of the
activities in
grades k-4, all
students should
develop an
understanding of
Changes of
the Earth
and Sky
(NSES, p.
134)
1. The students will 1. Students will be 1. Students must
South Carolina be able to assessed by using complete 9/11 (82%) on
Academic demonstrate their a checklist. the criteria listed on the
Standards for knowledge of checklist which will be
science: seasonal weather used to assess students.
through a diorama This is used to assess
2-3.5: Students with 82% accuracy. objective 2, 3 and 4.
will demonstrate 2. Students will be
an understanding assessed in #1
of daily and 2. 100% of students and by teacher 2. The teacher will
seasonal weather. will be able to observation. observe students as they
represent their are drawing and writing.
2-1.3: learning of the Any student who is not
Represent and seasons and weather drawing or writing will be
communicate through drawings and encouraged and
simple data and written language. reinforced to continue
explanations working.
through drawings, 3. Students will be
tables, assessed in #1.
pictographs, bar
graphs, and oral 3. Students will be 3.Assessed in #1
and written able to measure and
language. cut four 26cm pieces
of string or ribbon
with 100% accuracy.

CCSS for Math-

2.MD
1. Measure the
length of an 4. Students will be
object by assessed orally
selecting and through questions
using appropriate 4. Students will be and a checklist 4.Assessed in #1 and the
tools such as able to recount or (#1). teacher will observe
rulers, yardsticks, describe key ideas students as they are
meter sticks and from the read loud answering oral questions
measuring tapes. The Seasons by Ian to make sure everyone is
Smith and discussions paying attention and
CCSS for ELA- in class about participating.
Speaking and weather and seasons
Listening with 82% accuracy. Plans for students
standard 2 who do not meet the
Recount or objectives:
describe key
ideas or details If students do not meet
from a text read the objectives, I will hand
aloud or back their work with
information suggestions that they are
presented orally able to fix and hand back
through other in. I will also provide
media. additional resources such
as a website or more
books on learning about
the seasons and weather.

Instructional Plan

Materials/Equipment
For the class:
 The story The Seasons by Ian Smith
A piece of chart paper with the season on it (small copy attached
to the back)
A stapler

For each group:

A ball of yard or ribbon
Scissors (2 or 3 pairs depending on the size of the group)
Masking or scotch type (1 or 2 roles depending on the size of
group)
Rulers (2 or 3 depending on the size of the group)
Markers, crayons, colored pencils

For each student:

Two paper plates
Four pieces of string/ribbon they cut into 26cm pieces.
A sheet with rectangles that they will cut out and write/draw
things which represent each season. (attached to the back)

Academic Vocabulary, as applicable:

Seasons: period of the year distinguished by special climatic
conditions.
Precipitation: Liquid or solid water that falls from the
atmosphere and reaches the ground
Temperature: a measure of the warmth or coldness of an object
or substance with reference to a standard value.

Seasons (n.d.). In Natinal Geographic Education. Retrieved October 22,

2013, from

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/seasons/

Science Process Skills used in the Lesson

Following Directions: Students will have to follow directions when
making their diorama. There are a certain number of pictures/words
they must have to represent each season, they need to know what to
do with their two paper plates, measure the correct length of string,
know how to tape their objects onto their string and finally they need
to know how to put their diorama together.

Classifying: Students have to classify words and pictures into

categories of the four seasons.
Creating: Students will get to create their own diorama.

Measure: Students use a ruler to measure a certain length of string

for their project.

Instructional Procedures

Introduction - Engage (15 min)

1. Teacher will start by telling students what they will be learning
about today in science; the four seasons and weather that
correspond with each season.
2. Students will come to the front carpet.
3. Teacher will ask students what is a season?
4. Teacher will ask students what comes to their mind when they
think of the seasons?
5. Students will watch a short 2 and a half min video on seasons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTXtSGf1VdY
6. Teacher will read the story: The Seasons by Ian Smith.
7. Teacher will show poster of season (small copy attached to the
back) and go over the poster.
8. Students will be told they are going to make a diorama of the
four seasons and will walk back to their desks.

Main Activity Explore, Explain, and Elaborate (40 min)

Explore
9. Students will make a diorama expressing their knowledge of the
four seasons.
10. Teacher will hand students each two paper plates.
11. Each group table should have scissors, tape, colors and a
sheet of rectangles(attached to the back)
Directions on how to make diorama:
Directions for making a season diorama:
1. Cut four 26cm pieces of string; each piece of string will represent a
season.
2. Take one paper plate; divide it into four sections, making each section
represent a season.
3. Students will write the name of each season in a one of the four
sections; making each section represents a season. Students will then
color and decorate each section of their plate to represents four
seasons.
 4. Draw pictures or write words which represent each season; you must
have at least four words/pictures for each season.
5. Write the months of the year which represent each season.
6. Cut out all words or pictures.
7. Tape each picture/word that is cut out onto the string which represents
the season.
8. Tape each string to the center of the plate that is not decorated.
9. Place the decorated plate that is divided into four seasons on top of
the plate that is taped with the strings; make sure that each string that
represents a season matches up with the sections representing the
season on the plate.
10.Staple the 2 plates together (one staple on the top, bottom, and both
left and right side of the plate); you may need an adult to help you.
11.You should be able to pull a string out of each season labeled on the
plate.
12.If students have time; they can decorate the back of their diorama.
13.Have students clean up their tables.

*Sample of diorama is attached*

Explain
12. Students will learn why we have seasons. They will watch
this small video explaining why we have seasons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmJCXNp0gW4
13. Talk to students about why it is important to learn about
the seasons; they need to be prepared for certain conditions,
such as how to dress, etc.

Elaborate
14. Students can share and explain their dioramas with the
class.
15. Allow students to give their classmate a compliment on
something they liked about their peers diorama.
16. Tell student that during writing class they are going to write
about their favorite season and explain why that is their favorite
season.
Closure and Transition (5min)
17. Ask each student to say one thing that they learned about
seasons or weather today.

Extension/Enrichment Activities
http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/activities.html This is a website
that students can go on and learn and explore more about
weather. There are fun games and activities which children could
try.
 Students could write a poem or story on weather using
Onomatopoeia in their writing.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/extreme-weather-by-kids-
discover/id593957919 This is an app for the ipad which students
can experience the most extreme forms of weather on Earth;
there are models, animations, puzzles and quizzes. The app
includes topics such as hurricanes, tornados, floods, lightning
and climate change
Stein, D. E. (2007). Leaves. N.p.: Scholastic. This story is about a
bear that is experiencing his first year of life through all the
seasons of the year; he talks about noticing the changes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krY-FT5b1V0 This is a video
about seasons and weather changing in each season. The video
talks about the tilting of the Earth.
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/k4/weather/Woverview3.html
This is an Earth Science module about the seasons. These are
stories, games and activities, tips about dressing for the weather,
watching weather and the four seasons.

Differentiation of Instruction

Accommodations/Modifications for students

Students A and B both have learning disabilities and have an IEP for
silent reading comprehension and vocabulary. For these students I will
provide all directions verbally and show them physically how to
assemble their own diorama.

Student C is physically impaired with fine motor skills. For this student I
will have everything they need cut out for the class activity already cut
and ready for the students.

Students D is a hearing disabled student. For this student I will make

sure to place them close to the front of the room and I will wear a
microphone around my neck so he/she will be able to hear me
speaking clearer.

Student E is visually impaired. For this student I will let them sit close
to me while I am doing my read aloud or I could make a PowerPoint
showing each page of the story I am reading to the class.
Student F is a gifted and talented student. For this student I will have
them research and share their information with me or the class on a
weather phenomenon they want to learn more about, such as a
blizzard or a hurricane.

References/Resources

Common Core State Standards for ELA retrieved on October 16, 2013 from
http://ed.sc.gov/agency/programs-servieces/190/documents/CCSSI_ELAStandards.pfd

Common Core State Standards for Math retrieved on October 16, 2013 from
http://ed.sc.gov/agency/programs-servieces/190/documents/CCSSI_MathStandards.pfd

Learning About Seasons (n.d.). In The Cutest Blog On The Block. Retrieved October 20,
2013, from http://todayinfirstgrade.blogspot.com/

(n.d.). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from

http://dictionary.reference.com/

Seasons (n.d.). In Natinal Geographic Education. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/seasons/

Smith, I. (2004). The Seasons. N.p.: QEB Publishing.

South Carolina Science Supporting documents retrieved on October 20, 2013 from
https://ed.sc.gov/agency/se/instructional-practices-and-evaluations/

Stein, D. E. (2007). Leaves. N.p.: Scholastic.