STEM 434/534 Lesson Planning Template Spring 2021

(Complete answers in Purple font)

Name: Cheryl Holman Grade: 4 Topic: Thermal Energy

Brief Lesson Description: Potential and Kinetic Energy were our first 2 lessons in our Energy Unit. Moving on to Day 3
of our lessons we are focusing on Thermal (Heat) Energy.

Specific Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to understand the three different ways heat is transferred. They
will also learn about conductors and insulators.
How did this lesson develop as a result of your examination of research and data about employing culturally sustaining pedagogical
strategies? Now that the children have an introduction to energy, they will explore the kinetic energy that creates
heat and the different forms that it takes.

Narrative / Background Information

Prior Student Knowledge: Children will be asked what they think of when they think of the word thermal and what that means...how do
we stay warm? What temperature is it? How do we keep drinks hot or cold?
Which spoon will be the hottest? Ask students for answers by a show of hands...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgYCKMKUBc8

Science VA SOL Health VA SOL NGSS (You may have to look to a different
4.3 The student will investigate 4.2 f) Analyze strategies for grade level for the connection)

and understand the preventing communicable diseases.

4-PS3-3. Ask questions and predict
characteristics of electricity. Key outcomes about the changes in energy that
concepts include occur when objects collide.
a) conductors and insulators; PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
Energy can be moved from place to place
d) the ability of electrical by moving objects or through sound, light,
energy or electric currents.
PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy
to be transformed into light and Transfer
motion, and to Energy is present whenever there are
produce heat; moving objects, sound, light, or heat.
When objects collide, energy can be
transferred from one object to another,
thereby changing their motion. In such
collisions, some energy is typically also
transferred to the surrounding air; as a
result, the air gets heated, and sound is
produced.
PS3.C: Relationship Between Energy and
Forces
When objects collide, the contact forces
transfer energy so as to change the objects’
motions.

Science & Engineering Practices:

We will be doing this experiment in class

https://youtu.be/XUBBgv__Pe0
Possible Preconceptions/Misconceptions: some students may think that heat and cold are different, that
insulators create their own heat, that cold is transferred from one object to another (source website below)

https://beyondpenguins.ehe.osu.edu/issue/keeping-warm/common-misconceptions-about-heat-and-insulatio
n

LESSON PLAN – 5-E Model

ENGAGE: Opening Activity – Access Prior Learning / Stimulate Interest / Generate Questions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN35c2aH5Zk

EXPLORE: Lesson Description – Materials Needed / Probing or Clarifying Questions:

Teacher reads the book, Energy

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51vim9r7PLL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
Students read portions of the text
p. 10-13 with help from the students like the previous lesson. Students have time to ask questions and
discuss what they have read.

Watch the video and perform the experiment shown.

Materials needed: balloons, candle, water, lighter, goggles

Why doesn't the balloon pop when water is added? How can the candle jar stick to the balloon like magic?
EXPLAIN: Concepts Explained and Vocabulary Defined:
Energy isn't created or destroyed. Heat is transferred from one form to the other by conduction,
convection, and radiation. Insulators do not transfer heat, conductors transfer heat energy from one
object to another

https://youtu.be/xGKg3TSO4v8

Vocabulary: thermal, conduction, radiation, convection, insulators, conductors

ELABORATE: Applications and Extensions:

Talk about the three different ways that food is cooked: convection, conduction, radiation.
Show video: https://youtu.be/HpCvWuvCUoA

Experiment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUBBgv__Pe0

Health SOL 4.2 f) show video and discuss food safety.

https://youtu.be/nSji5eGaB24
EVALUATE:

Formative Monitoring (Questioning / Discussion):

https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/61888562c00b16001dee11ac

Plan for differentiation: (Be sure to specifically address the following learners)
● Students with high-incidence disabilities (e.g., autism, ADHD, mild learning disorders)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgYCKMKUBc8 Even though we showed this experiment in the
beginning of the class, it is very important for students to understand what kind of material transfers
heat energy in order for them to be safe in the kitchen. Work with students in a small group to do this
experiment. Discuss with them cooking safety, insulators, and conductors, and transfer of energy
● ELL= same as above using native language. The video is very user friendly to make it easy to understand.

● Gifted learnershttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUBBgv__Pe0 Students who can handle this

experiment with a buddy will do the experiment and take a video of them to share with their
parents/caregivers

Elaborate Further / Reflect: Enrichment:

● How will you evaluate your practice? students can take this online quiz
https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/61888562c00b16001dee11ac
● Where might/did learners struggle in the lesson? This lesson is packed with experiments and new concepts. They
may understand new things about cooking safety, but they may not know all of the materials that can
conduct heat from this introductory lesson.
● How can the lesson be strengthened for improved student learning? Students may need to brainstorm other ways that
heat energy travels, they can discuss solar energy and how that can be transferred into electrical energy to
power their homes, but we will probably get into that in the lessons to come
● Did the lesson reflect culturally sustaining pedagogies? If not, how can this be enhanced? Yes, I think this can reach across
cultural boundaries and is very hands on. It teaches practical ways to think about heat and how thermal
energy travels.

Materials Required for This Lesson/Activity

Quantity Description Potential Supplier (item #) Estimated Price
20 baby food jars Amazon $40
1 red and blue food coloring Amazon- Spice Supreme assorted $4.50
food colors
1 pk small balloons Amazon $7.00
25 large balloons Amazon- Kolava 100 pc. party $6.60
balloons
25 candles Amazon $30
25 tea light candle holders Amazon $38
25 lighters Amazon $25-35