You will learn
- Describe weather features.
- Use weather symbols.
- Observe daily at the same time.
- Explain why we observe weather.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Weather is what the air is like today.
- We describe sky, wind, rain and temperature.
- Symbols make records quick.
- Observing daily shows patterns.
Words to know
what the air outside is like at a time and place
how much of the sky is covered by cloud
a simple picture standing for something
to look carefully
1. Discover: The morning check
Every morning Kojo’s class looks out of the window. “The sky is grey and there is a light breeze,” says Ama. They draw a cloud symbol on the weather chart. “We check at the same time each day,” says the teacher.
Think: Why check at the same time?
2. Understand: Observing weather
Idea 1: What is weather?
Weather is what the air is like outside at a certain time and place. It changes from hour to hour and day to day.
Idea 2: Describing
We describe the sky (sunny, partly cloudy, cloudy), wind (calm, breezy, windy), rain (none, light, heavy) and temperature (hot, warm, cool, cold).
Idea 3: Recording
We use symbols to record quickly: a sun, a cloud, raindrops. Recording at the same time each day gives fair comparisons.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Describe
Sky grey.
- Cloud cover.
- Cloudy.
- Observe.
Answer: The sky is cloudy.
Example 2 (We do it together): Symbol
Rain.
- Raindrops.
- Symbol.
- Record.
Answer: We draw raindrops.
Example 3 (You try): Time
Daily.
Show the steps and answer
- Same time.
- Fair.
- Compare.
Answer: Same time gives fair records.
Did you know?
Ancient farmers watched clouds and winds to guess the weather long before forecasts.
Why this matters
Weather affects what we wear, farm and do each day.
4. Explore: Weather chart
Make a weather chart for one week.
- Draw a chart with days.
- Observe at the same time.
- Draw symbols.
- Describe weather in words.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? Weather changed from day to day.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- ___ is what the air is like.
- We use ___ to record.
- We observe at the same ___.
- The sky can be ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is weather?
Air outside.
Question 2. What is a symbol?
Simple picture.
Question 3. What do we observe?
Sky and wind.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- What is weather?
- What is a symbol?
- What do we observe?
- Why same time?
- Name a weather type.
Level 2: Grow
- Why record?
- Why symbols?
- Why does weather change?
Level 3: Stretch
- Make a weather chart.
- Describe today.
- Compare two days.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Science in everyday life
What is the weather today?
Show a sample answer
Describe.
Another one. Tell a family member one thing from this lesson. Use the words you learned.
Show a sample answer
A clear sentence that uses at least one word from Words to know.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: It changes.
Fix: Wind can occur on sunny days.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can describe weather features.
- I can use weather symbols.
- I can observe daily at the same time.
- I can explain why we observe weather.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Weather is what the air is like today.
- We describe sky, wind, rain and temperature.
- Symbols make records quick.
- Observing daily shows patterns.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Temperature measurement. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Define weather. [2 marks]
- Describe four weather features. [3 marks]
- Why use symbols? [2 marks]
- Why same time? [2 marks]
- Safety rule? [1 mark]
Total: 10 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- Air [1]; outside now [1]
- Sky [1]; wind [1]; rain/temperature [1]
- Quick [1]; clear [1]
- Fair [1]; compare [1]
- Any [1]
Score guide: 9 to 10 = secure. 6 to 8 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- What is weather?
- What is a symbol?
- What do we observe?
- Why same time?
- Name a weather type.
- Why record?
- Why symbols?
- Why does weather change?
- Make a weather chart.
- Describe today.
Homework
Record the weather every day for a week with symbols.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is weather? | Air outside. | 1 |
| 2. What is a symbol? | Simple picture. | 1 |
| 3. What do we observe? | Sky and wind. | 1 |
| 4. Why same time? | Fair. | 1 |
| 5. Name a weather type. | Rainy. | 1 |
| 6. Why record? | Find patterns. | 1 |
| 7. Why symbols? | Quick. | 1 |
| 8. Why does weather change? | Air moves. | 1 |
| 9. Make a weather chart. | Chart. | 1 |
| 10. Describe today. | Sentence. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Air outside.; 2 Simple picture.; 3 Sky and wind.; 4 Fair.; 5 Rainy.. Level 2: 1 Find patterns.; 2 Quick.; 3 Air moves.. Level 3: 1 Chart.; 2 Sentence.; 3 Table..
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Describe weather features | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Use weather symbols | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Observe daily at the same time | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Explain why we observe weather | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: “Weather stays the same.” It changes.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Observe and describe weather.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child learns to observe weather. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Check the sky together daily.
- Ask, “What symbol?”
- Never look at the Sun.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: describe weather features; use weather symbols; observe daily at the same time; explain why we observe weather.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 2 weather ideas: describing weather, the seasons, and how weather affects daily life.
Materials. Chart paper, coloured pencils. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Prepare chart.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Ask learners to look outside and say, “What is the weather?”
Explanation (10 min). Teach observing.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners make charts.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners compare.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What is the weather? How do you know?
Teacher explanation notes. Start with real objects and safe, hands-on observation. Then talk about what was seen, then draw and write. Always say “how do you know?”. Keep to the safety notes, and use local, safe materials.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and pictures, short sentences and a partner. Let learners point, show or draw instead of writing. Extension. Ask learners to find a new example at home and explain how they know.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. “Weather stays the same.” It changes.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 10-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Observe and describe weather. Enrichment. Look for one new example near your home or school, draw it and explain it to someone. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Next Generation Science Standards, Cambridge Primary Science and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Research used to shape this lesson. Courseversity Science curriculum, Grade 3 Unit 8, topic 1; Next Generation Science Standards, weather and climate; Cambridge Primary Science Stage 3, Earth and space; IB Primary Years Programme, how the world works. These sources informed the lesson.