Mass, Capacity, Temperature - Temperature activity - Planning

The Year 2 curriculum for the summer term includes a week focused on Mass, Capacity, and Temperature, where one of the key learning objectives is understanding temperature. In this particular lesson, students will explore the concept of temperature and the tools used to measure it, such as thermometers. The class will begin by reviewing vocabulary related to temperature, including terms like 'scale', 'measure', 'hotter', and 'colder', as well as symbols that represent comparison like 'greater than', 'less than', and 'equal to'. This introduction sets the stage for a discussion about what temperature means and how it is described, with a focus on introducing the unit of Celsius. Students will be encouraged to relate the concept to their own experiences, such as having their temperature taken when they are unwell.

During the lesson, students will engage in several hands-on activities. They will start by observing a boiling kettle and an ice lolly, noting their temperatures in degrees Celsius, and then move on to practical tasks. These tasks include measuring temperatures in various locations around the school and outdoors to observe changes throughout the day. Using mini whiteboards, the children will independently record the temperatures displayed by thermometers. The lesson also involves interpreting data from a temperature chart and using number lines to find differences between temperatures. The plenary session includes a reflective 'Give me five' activity where students recap what they have learned about measuring and recording temperature, the skills they used, and any challenges they faced. Differentiated activities are provided to cater to varying levels of ability, from using simple or digital thermometers to those that require more complex interpretation.