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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. On a sunny day, which is warmer to touch? (a slide in the sunshine / a slide in the shade / they are the same) → a slide in the sunshinePrompt: What warms things up during the day?
  2. Sunlight: which statement is true? (The Sun warms the land, air and water. / 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.Prompt: Think about standing in the sun and in the shade.
  3. Sunlight: which statement is NOT true? (It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine. / The Sun warms the land, air and water. / 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 · 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. 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?
  2. Sunlight: which statement is true? (Shade is warmer than sunshine. / The Sun only warms things in summer. / The Sun warms the land, air and water. / White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes.) → The Sun warms the land, air and water.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. Why does sand at the beach feel hot on a sunny afternoon? (The sea heats it / Sand is always hot / People walking on it / The Sun has been warming it all day) → The Sun has been warming it all dayPrompt: Where does the heat come from?
  2. Sunlight: which statement is true? (White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes. / It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine. / 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.

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

    Sunlight: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Shade is warmer than sunshine.
    • B. The Sun warms the land, air and water.
    • C. It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine.
    • D. Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours.

  2. Question 2

    Sunlight: which statement is true?

    • A. The Sun only warms things in summer.
    • B. Shade is warmer than sunshine.
    • C. Sunlight gives us light and warmth.
    • D. White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes.

  3. Question 3

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

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

  4. Question 4

    Which T-shirt gets warmest in the sun?

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

  5. Question 5

    On a sunny day, which is warmer to touch?

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

  6. Question 6

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

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

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Answer key: Sunlight warms things

  1. 1. A. Shade is warmer than sunshine.

  2. 2. C. Sunlight gives us light and warmth.

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

  4. 4. A. a black T-shirt

  5. 5. B. a slide in the sunshine

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