Comparing weather and climate - past and future

Comparing weather and climate - past and future

Lesson 1 of 5 in this unit

  • Primary
  • Year 3 - 4
  • Science
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Geography
  • Environmental
  • Climate Change
  • Conservation
  • Sustainability
  • ...

Lesson summary

In this activity students explain the difference between climate and weather, and investigate past weather and climate events. Students begin the activity by engaging in a class discussion around weather and climate. They then break into groups and create an infographic that compares weather and climate, and includes examples of historical weather and climatic events. Students present their infographics to the class.

Learning intentions:

Students will...

  • understand the differences between climate and weather
  • understand the relationship between climate and weather
  • recognise examples of past climate and weather events.

Lesson guides and printables

Lesson Plan
Student Worksheet
Teacher Content Info

Lesson details

Curriculum mapping

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:

Year 3 Geography:

  • The main climate types of the world and the similarities and differences between the climates of different places (ACHASSK068)
  • Locate and collect information and data from different sources, including observations (ACHASSI053)
  • Record, sort and represent data and the location of places and their characteristics in different formats, including simple graphs, tables and maps, using discipline-appropriate conventions (ACHASSI054)
  • Interpret data and information displayed in different formats, to identify and describe distributions and simple patterns (ACHASSI057)
  • Present ideas, findings and conclusions in texts and modes that incorporate digital and non-digital representations and discipline-specific terms (ACHASSI061)

Year 4 Science:

  • Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity (ACSSU075)
  • Represent and communicate ideas and findings in a variety of ways such as diagrams, physical representations and simple reports (ACSIS071)

Year 4 Geography:

  • Locate and collect information and data from different sources, including observations (ACHASSI074)
  • Record, sort and represent data and the location of places and their characteristics in different formats, including simple graphs, tables and maps, using discipline-appropriate conventions (ACHASSI075)
  • Present ideas, findings and conclusions in texts and modes that incorporate digital and non-digital representations and discipline-specific terms (ACHASSI082)

Syllabus Outcomes: GE2-1, GE2-4, ST2-4WS, ST2-8ES. 

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee activity, facilitate discussion

Resources required

  • Internet access
  • Students worksheet

Additional info

This is an original Cool.org lesson. Facts and figures in these lessons may have changed since this lesson was published. We always endeavour to update our resources in a timely manner, but if you see an error or issue in our resources please get in touch with us.

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