Weather changes — Science, 4–6 years
Weather is what the air and sky are like at a particular time and place. It can change from sunny to rainy, warm to cold or calm to windy.
Idea
Weather is not the same every day. Clouds, rain, wind, sunshine and temperature can all change. We can describe what we notice now, but tomorrow’s weather may be different.
Why it matters
People first needed to know whether to travel, plant seeds or protect food and homes. Watching repeated changes in the sky helped them notice patterns. Weather signs can guide a choice, but they do not promise exactly what will happen.
Try it
Look outside at breakfast: the sky is cloudy and the ground is dry. At lunchtime, dark clouds arrive and rain makes the ground wet. In the afternoon, the clouds clear. The place stayed the same, but its weather changed three times.
A common mix-up
A cold day can make it seem that winter is a thing stored in the air. It is reasonable to connect one day with a season because seasons often have patterns. But weather is what happens now; a season describes a longer part of the year.
Outside school
A weather forecast helps people choose a coat, carry an umbrella or plan a journey. Farmers, pilots and builders also watch weather because rain, wind and heat affect their work. A forecast is useful information, not a perfect promise.
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