Conservation

Seasonal sorting

What season is it? Learn about the seasons through a sorting activity.

Activity Image
Grade
K
Duration
20 mins
Type
Group work

Overview

Your students will learn how to recognize the four seasons by sorting pictures. They'll also learn how to dress for each of the seasons, indoors and outdoors.

Instructions

What you'll need

  • "Seasonal sorting pictures": print and cut out one set per group (plan for 4-5 students per group).
  • "Seasonal sorting chart": print one per group (plan for 4-5 students per group).

Seasonal sorting

  1. Begin with a class discussion about the four different seasons: fall, winter, spring and summer. Ask the students to share things they know about each season.
  2. Divide the students into small groups of 4-5 and give each group one copy of the “Seasonal sorting pictures” and one set of the "Seasonal sorting chart".
  3. Have the groups look at each sorting picture to decide which season it fits into and place the picture on the template. Have students share why they chose a picture for a particular season. 
  4. As a class, look at the pictures with people and ask the students to identify what they are wearing and why it’s suitable for the season. Ask the students to look for things like sweaters, warm coats and hats for winter; sunhats and cooler clothing for summer. Next, have students think about dressing for the season indoors. Ask questions like:
    • Should you wear shorts and a t-shirt indoors in winter? 
    • In the winter, should you put on a sweater or ask to turn up the heat? 
    • In the summer, should you wear shorts and a t-shirt or ask to turn on the air conditioning? Which would save energy and keep you comfortable?

Curriculum Fit

Kindergarten Science

Content

  • Seasonal changes

Curricular competencies

Questioning and predicting
  • Demonstrate curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world
Planning and conducting
  • Make exploratory observations using their senses
Processing and analyzing data and information
  • Experience and interpret the local environment
  • Discuss observations
Communicating
  • Share observations and ideas orally

Teaching Notes

Seasons and energy

Seasonal changes affect nature and the world around us and it also affects what people wear, how they behave and how they use energy. By learning to observe and respond to seasonal changes, we can be comfortable without using a lot of heat and cooling. We can choose clothing suitable for indoors and outdoors, open or close the windows and turn down the air-conditioning or heat. 

Simple tips for keeping warm and saving energy indoors in winter:

  1. Dress for winter: put on a sweater, warm socks, long pants or cuddle under a blanket.
  2. Move around.
  3. Close the windows and blinds or curtains to trap the warm air inside on the north side (no sun).
  4. Let the sun shine through your windows on the south side to warm up the room.
  5. Turn down your heat when you go out and at night. 
  6. Get a thermostat and program it to turn down at night .
  7. Put a rug on the floor if it feels cold. 
  8. Use weather stripping and window film to keep the drafts out. See the "Winning by not losing (heat)" video.

Simple tips for staying cool and saving energy indoors in summer:

  1. Dress for summer: cool clothing preferably natural fibres like cotton, shorts and t-shirts
  2. Open windows to get a breeze through the home.
  3. Close blinds on the east side in morning and west side in the afternoon.
  4. Wet a towel and put it on your feet at night. 
  5. Drink a lot of water to keep hydrated; it will keep you cooler.
  6. Apply a cool cloth to your wrists, neck, elbows, or behind your knees.

Assessment

  • Assess students’ group participation and cooperation working with others.
  • Assess students’ ability to recognize fall, winter, spring and summer.
  • Assess students’ understanding of how to dress for each season and be comfortable.

Downloads

Select the materials you require for this activity or download all

Seasonal Sorting Chart

73.7 kb pdf

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