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

Warmer or cooler? Compare two thermometer readings

Energy

CCSS NGSS.K-PS3-1CCSS NGSS.K-ESS2-1England: EYFS Understanding the World: The natural worldEngland: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changes

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Warmer or cooler? Compare two thermometer readings.

  • 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: Hot or cold? Sort everyday things

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

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 (Hot or cold? Sort everyday things). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is this hot or cold: a toaster that is on? (hot / cold) → hotPrompt: Would it warm your hands or make them chilly?
  2. Which of these is the COLDEST? (water from the cold tap / a cup of hot tea / water boiling in a kettle) → water from the cold tapPrompt: Imagine touching each one (carefully!).
  3. True or false? Hot soup cools down if you leave it on the table. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Think about what heat does to ice, snow and food.

Hook · 6 min

  • Wind up a toy or stretch an elastic band and ask where the energy goes.
  • Share the objective: Warmer or cooler? Compare two thermometer readings. 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: The thermometer read 47 °F on Monday and 43 °F on Tuesday. Which day was cooler?
  • Step 1: 47 is bigger than 43, so 47 °F is warmer.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Tuesday
  • Answer: Tuesday
  • 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. The thermometer read 17 °C on Monday and 2 °C on Tuesday. Which day was warmer? (Monday / Tuesday) → MondayPrompt: A bigger number on a thermometer means warmer.
  2. In the morning it was 3 °C. By lunchtime the Sun had warmed the air to 5 °C. How many degrees warmer was it at lunchtime? → 2 °CPrompt: You want the difference between the two numbers.

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 puddle of water was 17 °C in the sunshine and 9 °C in the shade. How many degrees cooler was the shady water? → 8 °CPrompt: You want the difference between the two numbers.
  2. The thermometer read 9 °C on Monday and 21 °C on Tuesday. Which day was warmer? (Monday / Tuesday) → TuesdayPrompt: A bigger number on a thermometer means warmer.

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: Hot or cold? Sort everyday 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

  • 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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Warmer or cooler? Compare two thermometer readings

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    A class put thermometers in three places. Which place was the warmest?

    Temperature (°C)051015202524the school hall5the garden shed4the fridge
    • A. the school hall
    • B. the garden shed
    • C. the fridge

  2. Question 2

    A puddle of water was 13 °C in the sunshine and 11 °C in the shade. How many degrees cooler was the shady water?

    Answer°C

  3. Question 3

    The thermometer read 12 °C on Monday and 14 °C on Tuesday. Which day was warmer?

    • A. Monday
    • B. Tuesday

  4. Question 4

    A class put thermometers in three places. Which place was the coldest?

    Temperature (°C)05101520253014the classroom28the playground13the fridge
    • A. the playground
    • B. the classroom
    • C. the fridge

  5. Question 5

    In the morning it was 4 °C. By lunchtime the Sun had warmed the air to 6 °C. How many degrees warmer was it at lunchtime?

    Answer°C

  6. Question 6

    The thermometer read 5 °C on Monday and 26 °C on Tuesday. Which day was cooler?

    • A. Monday
    • B. Tuesday

  7. Question 7

    In the morning it was 12 °C. By lunchtime the Sun had warmed the air to 20 °C. How many degrees warmer was it at lunchtime?

    Answer°C

  8. Question 8

    The thermometer read 23 °C on Monday and 18 °C on Tuesday. Which day was warmer?

    • A. Monday
    • B. Tuesday

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Answer key: Warmer or cooler? Compare two thermometer readings

  1. 1. A. the school hall

  2. 2. 2 °C

  3. 3. B. Tuesday

  4. 4. C. the fridge

  5. 5. 2 °C

  6. 6. A. Monday

  7. 7. 8 °C

  8. 8. A. Monday