Winter Wonders

A complete A2 classroom lesson with the EnglishDrills nine-colour lesson sequence.

A250–60 minutesSeasons & weatherPrintable

Teacher lesson: Look at the picture and title. What do you already know about this topic? Discuss with a partner and write two ideas. Work through the nine panels in order, or choose the sections that suit your class. Teacher answers and the listening script are stored separately.

Teacher Answers

1 Lesson Goals

Snow-covered mountains and a lake at winter sunrise

By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:

understand the main ideas and key details in Winter Wonders.
learn and use important vocabulary from the lesson.
use the lesson language in speaking or writing.

Start here: What do you already know about this topic? Tell a partner one idea.

2 Reading

Before you read:

Look at the picture and title. What do you already know about this topic? Discuss with a partner and write two ideas.

Winter is the coldest season of the year in many parts of the world. Days are shorter, nights are longer and temperatures can fall sharply. In some countries, snow covers roads, roofs and mountains, while other places have cold rain instead. People often change their routines in winter by wearing warmer clothing, heating their homes and choosing indoor activities. Winter also brings seasonal sports such as skiing and ice skating in suitable climates. In New Zealand, winter runs from June to August. Mountain regions may receive heavy snow, while coastal cities usually have milder conditions. Staying warm, checking weather forecasts and travelling carefully are important winter habits.

3 Vocabulary

Words: temperature · forecast · mild · seasonal · routine

Write a short meaning or example for each word.

temperature –

forecast –

mild –

seasonal –

routine –

4 Check Your Understanding

1. What happens to days in winter?

2. What kinds of weather can occur?

3. Name one winter sport.

4. When is winter in New Zealand?

5. What are two useful winter habits?

5 Language Focus

Complete with should or shouldn’t.

1. You check the weather before a mountain trip.

2. Drivers ignore ice warnings.

3. People wear warm layers in very cold weather.

4. You travel unprepared in a snowstorm.

6 Listen & Speak

Listen

Listen to your teacher. You will hear the text twice. Answer the questions.

1. Which months are winter in New Zealand?

2. Where can heavy snow fall?

3. Which places may be milder?

4. What should people check before travelling?

Speak

Discuss with a partner.

• What do you enjoy about winter?
• How do you stay warm?
• What winter weather is common where you live?

Winter Wonders — Continued

7 Use Your English

Something New

In teams, choose five items for a winter emergency bag from ten possible items your teacher names. You must agree and explain why each item belongs.

Write

Write 80–100 words giving advice to a visitor experiencing a cold winter for the first time.

8 Puzzle or Game

Two Truths and a Trick

Write three short statements about the Reading panel. Make two true and one false. Read them to a partner. Can your partner find the trick?

9 Success Criteria ✓

Tick each statement when you can do it.

I can explain the main idea of the lesson.
I can use at least three new words correctly.
I can complete the language task.
I can share an idea in spoken or written English.

One thing I am proud of today:

10 Show What You Can Do

My final challenge: Winter Wonders

Plan: Write 5 useful words or ideas from the lesson, or make a quick labelled sketch.

Write: Write 5–7 sentences that show what you learned. Try to use at least 3 words from the Vocabulary panel.

Share: Explain your work to a partner for about 30 seconds.