Grade 1 Life Skills Lesson Plan: The Weather

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Lesson Plan Title:

Grade 1 Life Skills Lesson Plan: The Weather

Materials Needed:

  • Weather chart
  • Images or flashcards of different weather conditions (sunny, rainy, cloudy, windy, snowy)
  • Craft materials: paper, crayons, glue, scissors
  • Interactive weather app or video
  • Whiteboard and markers

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify and describe different weather conditions.
2. Understand and use basic weather-related vocabulary.
3. Recognise the impact of weather on daily activities and clothing choices.

Vocabulary:

  1. Sunny: When the sun is shining and there are few or no clouds.
  2. Rainy: When water droplets fall from the sky and it is wet.
  3. Cloudy: When the sky is covered with clouds, blocking the sun.
  4. Windy: When there is a lot of air movement, and we can feel the wind blowing.
  5. Snowy: When snowflakes fall from the sky, usually in very cold weather.

Previous Learning:

Students have previously learned about different seasons and basic clothing items. This knowledge helps them understand why certain weather conditions require specific types of clothing.

Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:

  • Challenge: Some students may not be familiar with snowy weather, as it doesn’t occur in all parts of South Africa.

  • Solution: Show pictures and videos of snowy weather to provide visual references.



  • Challenge: Students might struggle to connect weather conditions to daily activities and clothing choices.


  • Solution: Use role-play and interactive activities to make these connections clear.

Beginning Activities:

(4 minutes)
1. Greet the students and explain the learning objectives.
2. Start with a brief discussion about the weather outside today. Ask questions like, “What is the weather like today?” and “How does it make you feel?”

Middle Activities:

(32 minutes)
1. (10 minutes) Show and discuss images or flashcards of different weather conditions. Encourage students to describe what they see using the key vocabulary.
– Activity: Interactive question and answer session where students match images with weather conditions.

  1. (10 minutes) Play a short video or use an interactive weather app to show different weather conditions in action.

  2. Activity: After the video, ask students to identify the weather conditions they saw and discuss how each type impacts daily life (e.g., What do we wear when it is rainy?).



  3. (12 minutes) Craft Activity: Provide students with different weather condition templates and ask them to draw or colour a scene that represents their favourite weather condition.


  4. Activity: Once finished, students can present their drawings to the class and explain which weather condition they chose and why.

End Activities:

(4 minutes)
1. Recap the key vocabulary and concepts discussed during the lesson.
2. Exit Ticket: Hand out a short worksheet where students draw a line from a weather condition to a matching picture of an activity or clothing item.

Assessment and Checks for Understanding:

  • Observation of student participation during discussions and activities.
  • Review the completed craft activity to check for understanding of weather conditions.
  • Evaluate the exit ticket worksheets for correct matches between weather conditions and appropriate daily activities or clothing.

Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:

  • Scaffolding: Provide images and word banks for students who need additional support.
  • Extension: For advanced learners, introduce basic concepts of temperature and ask them to describe how temperature changes with different weather conditions.
  • Group Work: Pair students with diverse skill levels to work together, enabling peer teaching and support.

Teaching Notes:

  • Ensure all visual aids and videos are accessible to students with visual impairments by providing descriptive audio when necessary.
  • Use clear, simple language to explain concepts, ensuring all students can follow along.
  • Keep engaging and interactive elements to maintain the attention and interest of Grade 1 students.

By the end of this lesson, students will have a good understanding of different weather conditions, the appropriate clothing for each, and the basic vocabulary associated with the weather.

Accessibility Considerations:

  • Use large, clear images and provide printed handouts for students who may have difficulty seeing the board.
  • Ensure the classroom is set up to allow all students to see and hear the video clearly. Use subtitles if necessary.
  • Provide extra guidance and support for students with learning difficulties during the craft activity.