Seasons are periods of similar weather. In the UK, there are four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter).

Winter is the coldest season of the year. It is between autumn and spring.

Trees that lose their leaves once a year are deciduous.

Trees and bushes that do not lose their leaves in winter are evergreen.

To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.

Signs of winter

Science

Signs of autumn

Weather in autumn

Weather in winter

Day length in winter

In this Seasonal changes unit, pupils learn how day length varies. In the Earth, Sun and Moon unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn why we have day and night

Pupils will draw upon prior exploration of seasons and weather in EYFS and their own everyday experiences. In this unit Seasonal changes: autumn and winter unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to observe changes across the four seasons and describe associated weather

This unit explores observing changes across autumn and winter, including weather patterns and variations in day length. It emphasises asking questions, using simple equipment for observations, identifying and classifying, gathering data, and using observations to answer questions.

Seasonal changes: autumn and winter

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Activity that requires collection of items from an area (room, building).

True or false? The season of winter in is March, April and May.

What kind of tree does this photograph show?

What do we call trees and other plants that have leaves all year long?

Izzy - I can see that some trees haven't got any leaves at all.

Andeep - Every tree in this season has all its green leaves.

Sam - The leaves on some trees have turned an orange or brown colour.

Some children use their senses to describe changes in seasons. Who is describing changes in winter in the UK?

The weather is often different in each season.

The weather is often the same in each season.

The weather is often snowy in each season.

Which type of weather is shown in this photograph?

Which word describes how hot or cold something is?

A thermometer can tell us how hot or cold something is. What skills are we using when we use a thermometer?

Signs of winter

Lesson outcome

Content guidance