Haley Krause
Sr. Mary Philomena Coon O.P.
ESSC Lesson Plan
GLCE: E.ES.01.11Identify the sun as the most important source of heat, which warms the land, air, and water of the Earth.
Engage: To begin the lesson we will be watching a short clip about solar power that is from the popular PBS show "Martha Speaks". I think that this will catch the student's attention and also give them an idea about solar power and how it can be applied to different things. The overall idea of the following lessons is that the sun is the most important source of heat for the Earth. We will be showing students different things the sun heats.
Explore: To explore how the energy from the sun can be converted into heat energy, we will be making pizza box solar ovens to cook smore'z. I will explain to students what solar energy and heat energy is. We can have a class discussion about how temperature is related to different amounts of heat energy. After this is understood, we can move on to making the solar ovens in class. (Note: for this to relate to solar energy, do this activity on a sunny, summer day)
The materials needed are:
- pizza box (pre-cut so we don't have to use knives/box cutters in class)
- scissors
- tape
- aluminum foil
- black construction paper
- plastic wrap
- smore'z stuff (chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers)
Directions for making the solar oven:
- cut the top of the pizza box to make a flap but leave a one inch border
- cover the hole in the top of the box with plastic wrap
- cover the flap on the top with aluminum foil
- cover the bottom of the inside the pizza box with aluminum foil
- put a sheet of black construction paper inside the bottom of the pizza box
- put smore'z on top of construction paper
- prop up flap and close the box
- put in a sunny place to cook smore'z
Explain: In another activity, we will be measuring and comparing the temperature of water/soil in two cups. One cup will be placed in direct sunlight and the other not in direct sunlight. Students will measure with a thermometer the temperature of the water/soil in the cup that was in sunlight and the temperature of the water in the other cup. Students will record their temperature on their worksheets with thermometer templates. The worksheet that the students will be completing for this activity is attached.
Elaborate: To elaborate on our subject solar energy, the students will be applying what they learned and have to make predictions about what will happen to ice in cups, one that is placed in direct sunlight and the other kept at room temperature. Students will measure the temperature in both cups, in one-minute intervals and record their data in their science journals. After wards the students can share their data with the class and talk about why they made the predictions they did. Students can also complete a worksheet where they will be matching vocabulary with the correct definitions. Examples of vocabulary are solar, energy, temperature, thermometer, Fahrenheit, cold, warm, etc.
Evaluate: Students will be evaluated on participation in discussion, activities, and will have their worksheets looked over for completion.
Sources:
(martha speaks video)
(worksheet and explain activity)
(pizza box solar oven directions)