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Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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 pale blue T-shirt / a black T-shirt / a white T-shirt / a yellow T-shirt) → a black T-shirtPrompt: Dark colours absorb more light.
  2. Sunlight: which statement is true? (White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes. / Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours. / The Sun only warms things in summer. / Shade is warmer than sunshine.) → Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours.Prompt: Think about standing in the sun and in the shade.
  3. Sunlight: which statement is NOT true? (Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours. / A puddle in the shade dries faster than one in the sun. / The Sun warms the land, air and water. / It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine.) → A puddle in the shade dries faster than one in the sun.Prompt: Which colour reflects sunlight?

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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. On a sunny day, which is warmer to touch? (a slide in the shade / a slide in the sunshine / they are the same) → a slide in the sunshinePrompt: What warms things up during the day?
  2. Sunlight: which statement is true? (The Sun only warms things in summer. / White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes. / Shade is warmer than sunshine. / Sunlight gives us light and warmth.) → Sunlight gives us light and warmth.Prompt: Think about standing in the sun and in the shade.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Sunlight: which statement is NOT true? (The Sun gives us light but no warmth. / It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine. / Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours. / The Sun warms the land, air and water.) → The Sun gives us light but no warmth.Prompt: Which colour reflects sunlight?
  2. How can you keep a playground cooler on a sunny day? (paint it black / put up a shade (canopy) or plant trees / take away all the trees / add more metal) → put up a shade (canopy) or plant treesPrompt: What blocks sunlight?

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

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

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

  2. Question 2

    Sunlight: which statement is true?

    • A. Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours.
    • B. The Sun only warms things in summer.
    • C. Shade is warmer than sunshine.
    • D. White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes.

  3. Question 3

    Sunlight: which statement is NOT true?

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

  4. Question 4

    Which T-shirt gets warmest in the sun?

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

  5. Question 5

    On a sunny day, which is warmer to touch?

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

  6. Question 6

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

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

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Answer key: Sunlight warms things

  1. 1. B. The Sun has been warming it all day

  2. 2. A. Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours.

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

  4. 4. C. a black T-shirt

  5. 5. C. a slide in the sunshine

  6. 6. C. put up a shade (canopy) or plant trees