Signs of autumn
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe changes in autumn.
Key learning points
- The year can be divided into four seasons, each lasting approximately three months.
- The four seasons are winter, spring, summer and autumn.
- The season of autumn happens in September, October and November.
- The leaves of some trees begin to change colour in autumn.
- We can use our skills to observe changes in autumn.
Keywords
Season - Seasons are periods of similar weather. In the UK there are four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter).
Autumn - Autumn is the season after summer and before winter.
Observe - To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.
Change - If something changes it does not stay the same.
Describe - To say or write what someone or something is like.
Common misconception
Pupils associate different seasons with activities rather than physical characteristics like the weather.
Examples of how deciduous trees begin to change in autumn and how observational skills can help us to spot seasonal changes.
Teacher tip
Create an interactive display by bringing in different leaves, pine cones and other seasonal items for pupils to touch, smell and observe. Task B is best completed as a walk. If this is not possible, then there are autumn videos online that pupils can watch to observe signs of autumn.
Equipment
None required.
Content guidance
Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these photographs shows a tree?
Q2.Which photograph shows a sunny day?
Q3.Which photograph shows a snowy day?
Q4.Which type of weather are you most likely to get in the autumn?
Q5.Which clothes should you wear on a hot day?
Q6.Which clothes should you wear on a cold day?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How many seasons are there?
Q2.The four seasons are autumn, winter, spring and ___________.
Q3.When is autumn?
Q4.True or false? All trees have green leaves in autumn.
Q5.Which of these shows a tree in autumn?
Q6.Which skills do we use when we look closely at something?
To help you plan your 1 science lesson on: Signs of autumn, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 science lesson on: Signs of autumn, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 science lessons from the Seasonal changes: autumn and winter unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.