Environments and seasonal changes
I can recognise that environments can change as the seasons change.
Environments and seasonal changes
I can recognise that environments can change as the seasons change.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- An environment is the surroundings of any living thing.
- Different environments provide the requirements for the life and growth of the living things within them.
- Seasons are a natural pattern of change. Environments can change naturally as the seasons change.
- Seasonal changes to environments can be observed throughout the year.
- Some living things need to make changes in order to survive in changing environments.
Keywords
Environment - The environment is the surroundings of a living thing, including other plants or animals and the conditions they live in.
Seasons - Seasons are periods of similar weather. In the UK there are four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter).
Migrate - When animals migrate, they move from one environment to another in different seasons.
Hibernate - To hibernate, an animal goes into a deep sleep; usually in winter when food is scarce.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that the environment is just another word for nature.
Encourage pupils to become aware of many different environments and refer to the surroundings that an animal or plant lives in.
To help you plan your year 4 science lesson on: Environments and seasonal changes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 science lesson on: Environments and seasonal changes, 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 2 science lessons from the Living things and the environment unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Pupils may wish to take photographs of seasonal changes in the local environment throughout the year.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
March, April, May
June, July, August
September, October, November
December, January, February
Exit quiz
6 Questions
There is blossom on some trees.
Deciduous trees are covered in green leaves.
The fruit on some trees start to produce seeds which are dispersed.
Many plants stop growing in the colder weather. Some plants may die.
migrate to warmer environments to find food
hibernate as there is not enough food in their environment in winter.
grow a thicker coat in winter to protect them from the cold
burrow under the ground as the ponds freeze