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Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 60 minutes

Sun or shade: which spot gets warmer?

Energy

CCSS NGSS.K-PS3-1England: EYFS Understanding the World: The natural worldEngland: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changes

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Sun or shade: which spot gets warmer?.

  • 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: Sunlight warms things

Leads to: Design shade to keep cool in the sun

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 from earlier learning (Sunlight warms things). Students answer 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 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? (White clothes get hotter in the sun than black clothes. / The Sun only warms things in summer. / Shade is warmer than sunshine. / Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours.) → 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? (The Sun warms the land, air and water. / Dark colours warm up faster in sunlight than light colours. / It is usually cooler in the shade than in sunshine. / A puddle in the shade dries faster than one in the sun.) → 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: Sun or shade: which spot gets warmer?. 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 a metal slide in the playground feel hot on a sunny afternoon?
  • Step 1: Sunlight warms the things it shines on.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Sunlight has been shining on it and warming it.
  • Answer: Sunlight has been shining on it and warming it.
  • 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. A snowman is built next to a wall. Which part melts first on a sunny day? (both sides at exactly the same time / neither side ever melts / the side in the shade / the side in the sunshine) → the side in the sunshinePrompt: Which side is being warmed by sunlight?
  2. Children measured the temperature of a puddle in two places: 19 °C and 14 °C. Where was the 19 °C reading most likely taken? (in the sun / in the shade) → in the sunPrompt: Which reading is warmer?

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 8 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. A snowman is built next to a wall. Which part melts first on a sunny day? (the side in the sunshine / both sides at exactly the same time / the side in the shade / neither side ever melts) → the side in the sunshinePrompt: Which side is being warmed by sunlight?
  2. Sunlight and warming: which statement is true? (Shade is warmer because it is darker. / The Moon warms the Earth at night. / A puddle in the sun dries more slowly than one in the shade. / A dark T-shirt left in the sun gets warmer than a white one.) → A dark T-shirt left in the sun gets warmer than a white one.Prompt: Think about how the ground feels 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

  • Review first: Sunlight warms things.
  • 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: Design shade to keep cool in the sun.
  • 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

eurekami

Sun or shade: which spot gets warmer?

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Sunlight and warming: which statement is true?

    • A. Sunlight only warms people, not things.
    • B. A dark T-shirt left in the sun gets warmer than a white one.
    • C. The Moon warms the Earth at night.
    • D. A puddle in the sun dries more slowly than one in the shade.

  2. Question 2

    Children measured the temperature of a rock in two places: 27 °C and 19 °C. Where was the 27 °C reading most likely taken?

    • A. in the sun
    • B. in the shade

  3. Question 3

    On a hot day, why do people sit under a tree?

    • A. It is darker, so it is warmer.
    • B. Trees make cold air like a fridge.
    • C. The tree blocks sunlight, so the shade is cooler.
    • D. Trees make it rain.

  4. Question 4

    Children measured the temperature of a dark path in two places: 25 °C and 15 °C. Where was the 25 °C reading most likely taken?

    • A. in the sun
    • B. in the shade

  5. Question 5

    Children measured the temperature of a dark path in two places: 26 °C and 22 °C. Where was the 26 °C reading most likely taken?

    • A. in the sun
    • B. in the shade

  6. Question 6

    A snowman is built next to a wall. Which part melts first on a sunny day?

    • A. the side in the sunshine
    • B. the side in the shade
    • C. neither side ever melts
    • D. both sides at exactly the same time

  7. Question 7

    Children measured the temperature of a rock in two places: 32 °C and 18 °C. Where was the 32 °C reading most likely taken?

    • A. in the sun
    • B. in the shade

  8. Question 8

    You put one cup of water in the sun and one in the shade for an hour. What do you find?

    • A. The cup in the shade is warmer.
    • B. The cup in the sun turns to juice.
    • C. Both cups turn to ice.
    • D. The cup in the sun is warmer.

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Answer key: Sun or shade: which spot gets warmer?

  1. 1. B. A dark T-shirt left in the sun gets warmer than a white one.

  2. 2. A. in the sun

  3. 3. C. The tree blocks sunlight, so the shade is cooler.

  4. 4. A. in the sun

  5. 5. A. in the sun

  6. 6. A. the side in the sunshine

  7. 7. A. in the sun

  8. 8. D. The cup in the sun is warmer.