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Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes

Sunlight warms things

Energy

CCSS NGSS.K-PS3-1CCSS NGSS.K-PS3-2England: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changes

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Sunlight warms things.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.

Leads to: Energy stores and transfers; Sun or shade: which spot gets warmer?

Materials: Wind-up toys or a pendulum, Energy transfer diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which T-shirt gets warmest in the sun? (a white T-shirt / a yellow T-shirt / a pale blue T-shirt / a black T-shirt) → a black T-shirtPrompt: Dark colours absorb more light.
  2. Sunlight: which statement is true? (It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine. / White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes. / The Sun only warms things in summer. / Shade is warmer than sunshine.) → It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine.Prompt: Think about standing in the sun and in the shade.
  3. Sunlight: which statement is NOT true? (The Sun warms the land, air and water. / It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine. / The Sun gives us light but no warmth. / Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours.) → The Sun gives us light but no warmth.Prompt: Which colour reflects sunlight?

Hook · 3 min

  • Wind up a toy or stretch an elastic band and ask where the energy goes.
  • Share the objective: Sunlight warms things. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Why does sand at the beach feel hot on a sunny afternoon?
  • Step 1: Energy from sunlight warms the sand.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: The Sun has been warming it all day
  • Answer: The Sun has been warming it all day
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. How can you keep a playground cooler on a sunny day? (add more metal / take away all the trees / put up a shade (canopy) or plant trees / paint it black) → put up a shade (canopy) or plant treesPrompt: What blocks sunlight?
  2. Sunlight: which statement is true? (Shade is warmer than sunshine. / It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine. / White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes. / The Sun only warms things in summer.) → It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine.Prompt: Think about standing in the sun and in the shade.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Sunlight: which statement is true? (White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes. / Shade is warmer than sunshine. / The Sun only warms things in summer. / The Sun warms the land, air and water.) → The Sun warms the land, air and water.Prompt: Think about standing in the sun and in the shade.
  2. Why does sand at the beach feel hot on a sunny afternoon? (Sand is always hot / People walking on it / The sea heats it / The Sun has been warming it all day) → The Sun has been warming it all dayPrompt: Where does the heat come from?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Use concrete materials: wind-up toys or a pendulum.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Energy stores and transfers; Sun or shade: which spot gets warmer?.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/kindergarten.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Sunlight warms things

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    On a sunny day, which is warmer to touch?

    • A. a slide in the shade
    • B. they are the same
    • C. a slide in the sunshine

  2. Question 2

    Sunlight: which statement is true?

    • A. The Sun only warms things in summer.
    • B. White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes.
    • C. Shade is warmer than sunshine.
    • D. It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine.

  3. Question 3

    Sunlight: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. The Sun warms the land, air and water.
    • B. It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine.
    • C. White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes.
    • D. Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours.

  4. Question 4

    Which T-shirt gets warmest in the sun?

    • A. a yellow T-shirt
    • B. a black T-shirt
    • C. a white T-shirt
    • D. a pale blue T-shirt

  5. Question 5

    How can you keep a playground cooler on a sunny day?

    • A. take away all the trees
    • B. add more metal
    • C. paint it black
    • D. put up a shade (canopy) or plant trees

  6. Question 6

    Why does sand at the beach feel hot on a sunny afternoon?

    • A. The sea heats it
    • B. People walking on it
    • C. The Sun has been warming it all day
    • D. Sand is always hot

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Answer key: Sunlight warms things

  1. 1. C. a slide in the sunshine

  2. 2. D. It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine.

  3. 3. C. White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes.

  4. 4. B. a black T-shirt

  5. 5. D. put up a shade (canopy) or plant trees

  6. 6. C. The Sun has been warming it all day