LESSON PLAN

Lesson: Ask and talk about the weather.

Time: 50 min
Skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing

Lesson aims:
- to review and improve the Ss’ vocabulary range;
- to introduce and practise new words to describe weather;
- to activate the Ss’ knowledge of the world and of the language;
- to encourage Ss to communicate freely and spontaneously during the activities;
- to develop Ss’ speaking and writing competences.

Objectives:
- identify learned words and phrases in authentic texts on the topic and revise vocabulary;
- identify different types of weather conditions;
- observe and interpret weather data and use appropriate weather symbols;
- adequately use fixed formulae and expressions to describe weather;
- practise vocabulary related to the topic in sentences of their own (engage in conversations,
provide and obtain specific information).

Assumptions:
- Ss must have a satisfactory level of English;
- Ss must be eager to participate.

Anticipated problems and possible solutions:

- If Ss do not understand the oral commands or the tasks, they will be translated into
Romanian.

Materials: Textbook, Handouts, Pictures, Flashcards, Flipchart, Blackboard

Methods: brainstorming, conversation, reading, explanation, elicitation, description.
Interactions: Whole Class, Individual Work, Pair work, Group work.

Activity 1 – Warm-Up (6 minutes)

T asks Ss questions about their weekend, then checks homework and makes error
corrections, if any. T gets into the topic by asking Ss to look at the date and revise orally the
days of the week and the months of the year. T then tries to get Ss talk about seasons. T asks Ss
what season they like best and see if anyone can explain why. T has Ss to briefly compare and
contrast the four seasons and tries to elicit weather related vocabulary. If any useful vocabulary
 words come up, T writes them on the blackboard.

Activity 2 – Presentation (15 minutes)

T introduces weather related vocabulary using weather flashcards and handouts. T drills
new words using choral and individual repetition. T has Ss pay attention to pronunciation and
spelling. T highlights the appropriate formulae and expressions usually used to describe weather
and writes them on the blackboard, then explains the meaning of weather symbols. Ss write the
weather related words and phrases in their notebooks. T then mentions the two scales used to
measure temperature: Celsius and Fahrenheit and explains that in the UK temperatures are often
given in both forms. T also mentions the fact that in Britain the weather is a very popular topic
and usually a good way to start a conversation.

Activity 3 – Practice (12 minutes)

T gives Ss handouts for vocabulary practice and asks them to work in pairs and match
weather phrases with the corresponding pictures. Then, T has Ss revise weather symbols and
work in groups on a drawing exercise (flipchart). Each group must choose a member to report
back to the class. T makes error corrections and provides additional explanations, where
necessary.

Activity 4 – Production (10 minutes)

T has Ss work in groups and ticket draw the name of a season. T explains that each group
must draw up a weekly weather forecast and describe the typical weather conditions for that
specific season. Each group is given a set of flashcards and is asked to illustrate the weekly
weather forecast accordingly. Ss have to talk to their partners about the weather on different days
to successfully complete their weekly forecast and then report to the class.

Activity 5 – Follow-Up (5 minutes)

T shows Ss a set of weather rhymes flashcards to check vocabulary. T makes a general
appreciation of Ss’ work during class. T helps Ss draw conclusions on the topic discussed and
assigns homework.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (2 minutes):

Ss must devise a weather forecast for the following week. They can use pictures or any
other materials to successfully describe the weather.