Weather
Primary 4 · English
Weather
Lesson 4 of 5
45 min
“Rain is wonderful!” says Grandpa Gatete. “My beans are growing well.” But in the next village, heavy rain has washed away part of the road. Is rain good or bad?
The answer is: both! Today you will learn about the advantages (good sides) and disadvantages (bad sides) of the weather, and how to stay safe.
Rain is a gift. It makes crops like beans, maize and bananas grow. It fills rivers and lakes. At many schools, a tank collects rainwater from the roof, so pupils have water for washing their hands.
The sun is good for us, too. It gives us light and warmth. It dries our clothes and our harvest. Solar panels can turn sunlight into electricity for lamps and radios.
The wind is useful. It dries wet clothes quickly, and it helps farmers to blow the chaff away from their grain.
But the weather can also be dangerous. Too much rain can cause floods, when water covers the land. On steep hills, heavy rain can cause landslides, when mud and rocks slide down. Floods and landslides can damage houses, roads and crops.
Thunderstorms bring lightning, which can hurt people and animals. Strong winds can blow roofs off houses.
Too little rain is a problem, too. When there is no rain for a long time, there is a drought. Crops dry up, and cows and goats have no fresh grass to eat.
Give two advantages of rain.
It makes crops grow; it fills rivers and lakes; it gives water for tanks.
What is a drought?
A long time with no rain, when crops dry up and animals have no fresh grass.
Look at the photo. How does the tank help the pupils?
It collects rainwater from the roof, so the pupils have water to wash their hands.
Which do you think is worse, too much rain or too little rain? Why?
Possible answer: too little rain, because a drought can last for months and leave families without food. (Both answers can be right if you give a good reason.)
| Weather | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| rain | makes crops grow | too much can cause floods and landslides |
| sun | dries clothes and the harvest | too much can cause a drought |
| wind | dries clothes quickly | strong wind can blow roofs off |
Join a good side and a bad side with but:
Here can means “it is possible”. It does not always happen.
Safety rules use the verb first, like orders. Say Don't for things you must not do.
Write three sentences with but, one each for rain, sun and wind. Then make a safety poster for your classroom with three rules for bad weather.
Speak: Have a class debate: “Which is better, the rainy season or the dry season?” Give two reasons for your side.
Tip
Good side, BUT bad side. Rain helps crops grow, but too much rain can cause floods.
When lightning flashes, get inside a building fast!
Write your answers in your exercise book, then check.
What do we call a long time with no rain?
Answer: a drought
What can heavy rain cause on steep hills?
Answer: landslides
Join with but: The wind dries clothes. Strong wind can blow roofs off.
Answer: The wind dries clothes, but strong wind can blow roofs off.
A thunderstorm starts. Should you stand under a tall tree?
Answer: No. Go inside a building.
Write one advantage of the sun.
Answer: Example: It dries our clothes and our harvest.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Quick check
Match each word to its meaning.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
