What Season Is This?

Here's how.

Grade Range

Kindergarten

Group Size

3 students

Active Time

1 hour

Total Time

1 hour

Area of Science

Weather & Atmosphere

Key Concepts

Weather, Seasons

Learning Objectives

Name at least three weather characteristics of each season.
Identify seasonal patterns based on observations.
Explain how weather conditions change between seasons.

Credits

Svenja Lohner, PhD, Science Buddies

A tree image where each corner of the picture shows the tree in a different season

Overview

In this lesson, students will investigate seasonal patterns by matching various pictures to the different seasons. In small groups, students will analyze the pictures for clues to a specific season, describe what they observe, and explain what evidence they have found in each picture to identify the season. By comparing the images, students will be able to recognize patterns and identify seasonal changes over time.

NGSS Alignment

This lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:

K-ESS2-1. Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.

This lesson focuses on these aspects of NGSS Three Dimensional Learning:

Science & Engineering Practices	Disciplinary Core Ideas	Crosscutting Concepts
Analyzing and Interpreting Data. Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions. Engaging in Argument from Evidence. Construct an argument with evidence to support a claim. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions. Use information from observations (firsthand and from media) to construct an evidence-based account for natural phenomena.	ESS2.D: Weather and Climate. Weather is the combination of sunlight, wind, snow or rain, and temperature in a particular region at a particular time. People measure these conditions to describe and record the weather and to notice patterns over time.	Patterns. Patterns in the natural world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.