One-Week Lesson Plan: Exploring Days, Months, Seasons, and Weather
For a 6-Year-Old Child – Morning Discussion Time
Day 1: Understanding the Days of the Week
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and name all seven days of the week in order.
- Understand the concept of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
- Use the days of the week to talk about daily activities.
Materials Needed:
- Days of the week chart or calendar
- Colorful markers or magnets
- Paper and crayons
- Storybook mentioning days (e.g., “Today is Monday” by Eric Carle – optional)
Lesson Introduction:
- Start with a song about the days of the week (e.g., “The Days of the Week Song”) to engage the child.
- Ask: “What day is it today? What did you do yesterday? What will you do tomorrow?”
Instructional Procedures:
- Exploration: Together, look at a days-of-the-week chart. Move a marker to “today.” Talk about yesterday and tomorrow.
- Explanation: Explain that a week has 7 days, each with its own name. Use simple examples related to routines.
- Application: Create a paper chain or wheel that shows the days of the week in order. Color and decorate it. Practice saying the days aloud.
- Reflection: Discuss what day comes after the current day. Ask the child to share what they like about a specific day (e.g., a fun activity on Saturday).
Assessment and Evaluation:
- Listen as the child names the days in order during discussion and activities.
- Encourage the child to verbalize yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Integration with Other Subjects:
- Literacy: Practice writing or tracing day names.
- Art: Coloring days-of-the-week wheel.
Differentiation and Personalization:
- For enrichment: Create short sentences with each day (e.g., “On Monday, I play outside.”)
- For extra support: Use visual aids and repeat the song daily.
Real-Life Applications and Field Activities:
- During the day, check the calendar and discuss current day regularly.
- Use daily schedule to point out different days’ activities.
Resources for Further Learning:
- Youtube: “Days of the Week Song” by The Singing Walrus
- Book: “Today is Monday” by Eric Carle
- Printable days-of-the-week wheel templates online
Day 2: Exploring the Months of the Year
Learning Objectives:
- Name all 12 months of the year in order.
- Understand that each month is part of a year.
- Recognize the current month and past/future months.
Materials Needed:
- Months of the year chart or calendar
- Paper, scissors, glue, crayons
- Monthly birthday chart (family/friends’ birthdays)
Lesson Introduction:
- Start by asking, “What month are we in now? What month comes next?”
- Share if someone in family or friends has a birthday this month.
Instructional Procedures:
- Exploration: Explore a year calendar. Point out and name each month.
- Explanation: Explain a year has 12 months, and we use months to know when things happen.
- Application: Make a months-of-the-year flipbook or strip, coloring each month and decorating with a symbol or picture representing that month (e.g., snowflake for December).
- Reflection: Discuss favorite months and why. Ask what special events happen in different months.
Assessment and Evaluation:
- Observe if the child can name months in order and identify the current month.
- Ask simple questions to reinforce understanding.
Integration with Other Subjects:
- Math: Count and sequence months.
- Art: Decorating the flipbook with seasonal drawings.
Differentiation and Personalization:
- For enrichment: Talk about holidays or events in different months.
- For support: Use songs or rhymes about months.
Real-Life Applications and Field Activities:
- Check the calendar together every day and note the date and month.
- Plan a family event or activity for an upcoming month.
Resources for Further Learning:
- Song: “Months of the Year” by Jack Hartmann
- Printable months chart and flipbook templates (free online)
- Book: “The Reasons for Seasons” by Gail Gibbons for extended learning
Day 3: Discovering the Four Seasons
Learning Objectives:
- Name the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
- Identify characteristics of each season.
- Relate current season to weather and activities.
Materials Needed:
- Pictures/posters depicting four seasons
- Nature objects (leaves, flowers, etc.)
- Drawing paper and crayons
Lesson Introduction:
- Begin by asking, “What season are we in? How do you know?”
- Talk about clothes worn and activities done in the current season.
Instructional Procedures:
- Exploration: Look at pictures illustrating each season. Discuss what happens in nature and weather changes.
- Explanation: Explain how seasons change throughout the year and affect day length, weather, and nature.
- Application: Draw a picture of the current season, including weather and activities. Optionally, create a season collage with magazine cutouts or nature items.
- Reflection: Talk about favorite season and why. Discuss how daily life changes with seasons.
Assessment and Evaluation:
- Check if the child can name the seasons and associate them with correct characteristics.
- Use questioning to reinforce learning.
Integration with Other Subjects:
- Science: Observation of natural changes around the home.
- Art: Drawing and crafting seasonal artworks.
Differentiation and Personalization:
- For enrichment: Explore how seasons differ in other parts of the world.
- For support: Use seasonal songs and picture books.
Real-Life Applications and Field Activities:
- Take a nature walk to observe season-specific signs.
- Collect items from outdoors that represent the current season.
Resources for Further Learning:
- Book: “Four Seasons Make a Year” by Anne Rockwell
- Video: “Seasons for Kids” on National Geographic Kids
- Seasonal craft ideas online (Pinterest or educational websites)
Day 4: Weather Patterns and Observation
Learning Objectives:
- Identify various types of weather (sunny, rainy, cloudy, windy, snowy).
- Observe and describe the weather each day.
- Understand how weather affects daily choices (clothing, activities).
Materials Needed:
- Weather chart or wheel
- Notebook or weather journal
- Thermometer (optional)
Lesson Introduction:
- Ask, “What is the weather like today? How can you tell?”
- Talk about how weather changed from yesterday or will tomorrow.
Instructional Procedures:
- Exploration: Look outside and use senses to describe the weather. Record observations in a weather journal with drawings or stickers.
- Explanation: Teach common weather terms and what causes different weather conditions.
- Application: Use a weather chart to track daily weather for the week. Draw or place symbols representing weather each day.
- Reflection: Discuss how weather influences what the family wears or does outdoors.
Assessment and Evaluation:
- Review weather journal entries for correct identification and descriptions.
- Ask questions to gauge understanding of weather types and effects.
Integration with Other Subjects:
- Writing: Practice simple sentences about weather in journal.
- Math: Count number of sunny days, rainy days, etc., in the tracking chart.
Differentiation and Personalization:
- For enrichment: Introduce simple weather instruments (rain gauge, wind vane).
- For support: Use picture cards to identify and name weather types.
Real-Life Applications and Field Activities:
- Take weather observations multiple times a day (morning, afternoon).
- Connect clothing choices to weather before going outside.
Resources for Further Learning:
- Website: Weather for Kids (NOAA for Teens via parent assistance)
- Book: “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett (fun introduction)
- Weather songs on YouTube (e.g., “What’s the Weather Like Today?”)
Day 5: Putting It All Together – Calendar, Seasons, and Weather Review
Learning Objectives:
- Use calendar skills to identify day, date, month, season, and weather.
- Demonstrate understanding by describing daily calendar and weather information confidently.
Materials Needed:
- Calendar
- Days, months, season, and weather charts and materials from previous days
- Whiteboard or large paper for daily summary
Lesson Introduction:
- Begin with a “Morning Calendar Meeting”: child leads by stating the day, date, month, season, and weather.
Instructional Procedures:
- Exploration: Review all components on the calendar and weather chart.
- Explanation: Remind why it’s helpful to know days, months, seasons, and weather.
- Application: Create a “Today’s Weather and Date” poster or board that is updated each morning by the child.
- Reflection: Discuss what was learned this week. Ask: “What was your favorite thing to learn? What will you tell a friend about days or weather?”
Assessment and Evaluation:
- Observe child’s confidence in presenting the daily calendar info.
- Engage in conversation to reinforce learning.
Integration with Other Subjects:
- Writing: Encourage child to write or draw a daily weather or season journal entry.
- Speaking: Child practices speaking clearly while leading calendar time.
Differentiation and Personalization:
- For multiple children: Each take turns leading different parts of the calendar discussion.
- For extra support: Use guided prompts or cues until child feels more confident.
Real-Life Applications and Field Activities:
- Include the calendar review as part of the morning routine every day.
- Encourage family members to use weather info to plan daily activities.
Resources for Further Learning:
- Family activity: Keep a weather and season scrapbook together over months.
- Online interactive calendars for kids (e.g., ABCmouse, Starfall)
Additional Notes for Parents/Guardians:
- Keep lessons light and celebratory—use lots of praise and encouragement to build confidence.
- Allow flexibility; if the child is especially interested in one area, extend that topic over multiple days.
- Use real daily events (special visits, holidays, weather changes) to enhance relevance.
- Create a consistent learning space with calendar and weather charts accessible each morning.
- Encourage siblings to participate, assigning roles appropriate to their ages.
- Personalize examples and activities to fit the child’s interests (e.g., favorite animals or colors on charts).
This one-week plan aims to gently build foundational concepts about time and weather while promoting observation, speaking, and creativity in a fun, low-pressure homeschool environment.