Become a free registered member and get access to exclusive discounts, resources, and a community of like-minded educators.

Not sure yet? See what you’ll get: Member benefits

ACSSU004

》Science – Foundation

Daily and seasonal changes in our environment affect everyday life

Elaborations

• learning how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ concepts of time and weather patterns explain how things happen in the world around them (OI.3, OI.5)
• linking the changes in the daily weather to the way we modify our behaviour and dress for different conditions, including examples from different cultures
• investigating how changes in the weather might affect animals such as pets, animals that hibernate, or migratory animals

✎ Activity

Rain in the Desert
📔 Big Rain Coming by Katrina Germein
• We are learning about the importance of rain for people, animals, and the environment in the outback of Australia.

AC9S1I02 (Science – Year 1) AC9S1I03 (Science – Year 1) AC9S1U02 (Science – Year 1) ACSIS011 (Science – Foundation) ACSIS012 (Science – Foundation) ACSIS014 (Science – Foundation) ACSIS233 (Science – Foundation) ACSSU004 (Science – Foundation)
✎ Activity

How Rain Affects Our Environment
📔 The Rainy Day by Anna Milbourne
• We are learning how rainy weather affects plants, animals, and people.

FREE

AC9S1I01 (Science – Year 1) AC9S1U02 (Science – Year 1) ACSIS014 (Science – Foundation) ACSSU004 (Science – Foundation)
✎ Activity

Little Cloud Adventure
📔 Little Cloud by Eric Carle
• We are learning to observe how clouds change shape and move in the sky.

AC9AVA2C01 (Visual Arts – Year 1, Year 2) AC9AVAFC01 (Visual Arts – Foundation) AC9S1I01 (Science – Year 1) AC9S1U02 (Science – Year 1) ACAVAM106 (Visual Arts – Foundation, Year 1, Year 2) ACAVAM107 (Visual Arts – Foundation, Year 1, Year 2) ACSHE013 (Science – Foundation) ACSIS011 (Science – Foundation) ACSIS014 (Science – Foundation) ACSSU004 (Science – Foundation)
📔 Book

Little Cloud

Written & illustrated by Eric Carle
Published by World of Eric Carle
Theme/topic: Weather changes

Little Cloud by Eric Carle is a beautifully illustrated story that follows a small cloud as it drifts across the sky, changing into different shapes before joining other clouds to bring rain. The book encourages young readers to observe and explore daily changes in weather patterns through clouds and understand clouds are part of the water cycle (ACSSU004 – Foundation Year, Science; AC9S1U02 – Year 1, Science).

Through Carle’s signature collage-style illustrations and simple yet engaging text, Little Cloud inspires children to use their imagination while learning about the natural world. The book also provides opportunities for discussions about how clouds form, change, and contribute to the environment, making it a wonderful resource for early science learning.

RESOURCES BUY

AC9S1U02 (Science – Year 1) ACSSU004 (Science – Foundation)
📔 Book

The Rainy Day

Written by Anna Milbourne
Illustrated by Sarah Gill
Published by Usborne Picture Books
Theme/topic: Vocabulary expansion and Weather impacts

The book explores weather patterns and the daily changes in the environment during a rainy day. As the characters observe the sky darkening, raindrops falling, and puddles forming, students are encouraged to describe daily changes in the environment and explore how these changes affect everyday life (ACSSU004 – Foundation Year; AC9S1U02 – Year 1, Science).

Teachers can explore these suggested learning points with children: investigating how changes in the weather affect plants and animals, including humans; exploring how people make clothing choices using predictions of weather; and investigating how rain or clouds are formed.

With engaging language and vivid imagery, The Rainy Day supports early scientific thinking by prompting discussions about the water cycle, seasonal changes, and the role of rain in nature. This book is an excellent resource for developing curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.

RESOURCES BUY

AC9S1U02 (Science – Year 1) ACSSU004 (Science – Foundation)
📔 Book

Big Rain Coming

Written by Katrina Germein
Illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft
Published by Picture Puffin
Theme/topic: Days of the week and Weather impacts

Big Rain Coming by Katrina Germein is a beautifully written and atmospheric story that captures the anticipation of rainfall in a remote Australian Indigenous community. Throughout the week, the land remains dry, and the people wait patiently for the relief that the rain will bring. The book helps students explore observable weather changes and how they impact the environment and daily life (ACSSU004 – Foundation Year; AC9S1U02 – Year 1, Science). It also help kids compare and recognise the extensive knowledges of daily and seasonal changes in weather patterns and landscape held by First Nations Australians.

The timely, predictable text encourages children to recognise and describe the sequence of the days of the week, supporting their understanding of time (ACMMG007, AC9MFM02 – Foundation Year, Mathematics). With its rich language and evocative illustrations, Big Rain Coming fosters curiosity about weather patterns and seasonal changes while promoting discussions about patience, resilience, and connection to the land.

RESOURCES BUY

AC9MFM02 (Mathematics – Foundation) AC9S1U02 (Science – Year 1) ACMMG007 (Mathematics – Foundation) ACSSU004 (Science – Foundation)

ACSSU004

Rain in the Desert

How Rain Affects Our Environment

Little Cloud Adventure

Little Cloud

The Rainy Day

Big Rain Coming