Math Lesson: Seasons Graphing
Lesson Plan
1 hourGrades1Mathematics
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Written by Jess Napolitano, Sustainable Jersey for Schools
About this lesson
In this lesson, students apply knowledge of the four seasons to collect, create, and analyze graphs.
Inquire: Students listen to a read-aloud of Four Seasons Make a Year, by Anne Rockwell to learn about the four seasons.
Investigate: Students interview classmates and gather data about their favorite seasons.
Inspire: Students create a class graph representing data collected from a different peer group.
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Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught in a weather unit or as the seasons change to draw on schema and personal experience.
- This lesson can be used at the middle or end of the year as a spiral review of several math skills and to reinforce the skills of addition and subtraction, data collection, and analysis or taught in conjunction with a data unit in math.
- The read aloud in the Inquire section can be completed or extended into an ELA lesson for further reading and listening comprehension or discussion about seasons.
- This lesson explores diverse voices in the classroom as it allows all students to share personal experiences and promotes communication skills.
- Class discussions may be related to climate change. There is no need to call it out or define it explicitly, but the goal is to lead the discussion toward recognizing the observable changes in the weather where students live.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 2 of 3 in our 1st grade Math and Weather Unit.
- Students should have a basic understanding of the following topics:
- different types of weather
- features of a bar graph and/or pictograph
- counting to 20
- comparing numbers
- Before teaching this lesson, the teacher should procure and preview the read-aloud book Four Seasons Make a Year, by Anne Rockwell.
- Coordinate with another teacher to create a second student group for data collection.
Differentiation
- Possible variations for the Class Tally activity in the Investigate Section include the following:
- 4 Seasons 4 Corners - students choose a corner of the room labeled with each of the 4 seasons (kinesthetic)
- Seasonal Popsicle Sticks - The teacher has colored sticks in a container. Students choose the corresponding color to add to 1 of 4 labeled containers.
- As an extension, students may collaborate with peers to poll school staff on the student-generated seasonal questions.
- As an extension, students may create a poster comparing two different groups’ results.
- To scaffold the graphing activity, review attributes of bar graphs and addition and subtraction strategies before the Investigate section.
- Provide counting blocks or manipulatives for students who need support.
- As a challenge, students can create digital versions of a bar or picture graph using Google Sheets or Canva.
- As a challenge, students can create a video, song, or skit explaining why they chose their favorite season.
From the scientist review
The lesson enables students to learn about weather patterns and seasons and graph them to inform their daily activities. This lesson has passed our science review.
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About the teacher writers
Jess Napolitano
Jess Napolitano has been teaching since 2009 and has 17 years of experience in elementary education. She teaches science, social studies, English language arts, mathematics, and health for third-grade students. Jess holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Early Childhood Education from Kean University and is a Google Certified Educator, National Geographic Certified Educator, and Starlab Planetarium Certified educator. She also serves as a technology leader, supporting STEM and computer science education through technology integration and professional development.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future.
