Winter Lesson Plans & Activities For KS1 & KS2
As the colder months roll in and the holiday season approaches, keeping pupils focused and enthusiastic about learning can be a bit more of a challenge. But winter also brings plenty of opportunities for creative and engaging lessons. Here are a few engaging and educational winter-themed activities perfect for KS1 and KS2 classes!
Winter-Themed Science Experiments
Winter is the perfect season to delve into weather patterns, seasons, and the science of cold! Try getting your class to keep a journal to track daily weather changes, including temperature, rainfall, and cloud coverage. This is a fantastic way to introduce them to the initial concepts of climate change and weather systems.
Tip: Use stickers or stamps for tracking in their journals—it’s an easy way to make the activity more fun and interactive.
For a hands-on approach, embrace the chill with simple science experiments. If it snows, pupils can study snowflakes’ fascinating form, why they melt, and their role in the water cycle. Use this as an opportunity to discuss states of matter, temperature changes, and even geometry.
No snow? No problem! Ice cubes are a great alternative. Challenge students to predict how quickly ice cubes will melt under different conditions, like salt, sunlight, or warm hands. This not only keeps them engaged but also develops their skills in hypothesis testing and observation.
Resources:
Exploring Winter Cultures and Traditions
Winter is celebrated differently around the world, making it the perfect time to explore global cultures. From Christmas and Hanukkah to Kwanzaa and Lunar New Year, there’s a wealth of traditions to learn about.
For KS1 pupils, read stories about these celebrations and ask them to draw pictures of what they’ve learned. KS2 pupils can research how winter holidays are celebrated in different countries and present their findings to the class.
Try a “winter around the world” day, where your class can share food, decorations, or crafts inspired by their research. This activity not only broadens pupils’ cultural horizons but also helps break up the week of more traditional lessons.
Resources:
- “Lights of Winter: Winter Celebrations Around the World” by Heather Conrad
- Winter celebrations resources
Seasonal Storytelling and Writing
Getting outdoors (when it’s safe) provides a refreshing change of pace, with the frosty landscapes providing an infinite source of inspiration for creative writing. Try the below to get your pupils inspired:
- KS1: Take your class for a sensory winter walk. Encourage them to describe what they see (icy branches, bare trees), feel (the nip of cold air, crunch of frost), and hear (chirping birds, rustling leaves). Use their observations as the foundation for a poem or story about winter.
- KS2: Turn a winter walk into a creative writing exercise by challenging students to imagine life as an animal preparing for hibernation in winter or as a snowflake on its journey through from the sky.
Resources:
Supporting Wildlife in Winter
Winter is a tough season for local wildlife and provides an opportunity to teach pupils how animals prepare for and survive the colder months. Use this as a hands-on lesson in ecosystems and environmental responsibility:
- Make Seed Cakes or Bird Feeders:
Make simple seed cakes with your class using softened lard and birdseed. Pupils can then hang them outside and monitor the birds that come to visit. - Build Dens or Bug Hotels:
Create bug hotels for insects, using sticks, leaves, bamboo, and other natural materials, to protect insects as they hibernate.
These activities not only support local wildlife but also help pupils understand hibernation, food chains, and how we can make a positive impact on the environment. Plus, observing the animals that benefit from their efforts can promote science or creative writing projects.
Resources:
- How to build a bug hotel (video)
- How winter affects plants and animals (video)
- Animals over winter resource
Bringing Winter Indoors
When it’s too chilly or wet for outdoor activities, bring winter into the classroom with creative projects and crafts.
- Winter Arts and Crafts: Teach symmetry with paper snowflake cut-outs or create winter landscapes using cotton wool, tissue paper, and glitter.
- Seasonal Maths: Challenge students to calculate the cost of ingredients for a festive recipe or create patterns and measurements with snowman shapes.
- Winter Drama and Music: Create a mini winter play, where your class creates their own characters and storylines and can perform in front of their families.
Resources:
Winter lessons, covered!
Winter doesn’t have to be a season of dwindling attention spans and restless classrooms. By weaving seasonal themes into your lessons, you can keep your pupils excited, engaged, and learning in creative ways.
If you’re looking for your next teaching role this winter, why not check out our current vacancies on our jobs page or give us a call to discuss opportunities?
