3rd grade Lesson Plan
5 E Lesson/STEM Planning
GSE Science Standard(s):
S3P1. Obtain, evaluate, and
communicate information about
the ways heat energy is
transferred and measured.
a. Ask questions to identify
sources of heat energy.
(Clarification statement: Examples
could include sunlight, friction,
and burning.)
b. Plan and carry out an
investigation to gather data using
thermometers to produce tables
and charts that illustrate the effect
of sunlight on various objects.
(Clarification statement: The use
of both Fahrenheit and Celsius
temperature scales is expected.)
c. Use tools and every day
materials to design and construct
a device/structure that will
increase/decrease the warming
effects of sunlight on various
materials. (Clarification statement:
Conduction, convection, and
radiation are taught in upper
grades.)
Engage
Is there evidence of the 4 C’s? __x_Critical Thinking _x_ Creative Thinking _x_Collaboration _x_ Communication
GSE Math Standard(s):
MGSE3.MD.4 Generate measurement
data by measuring lengths using rulers
marked with halves and fourths of an
inch. Show the data by making a line plot,
where the horizontal scale is marked off in
appropriate units— whole numbers,
halves, or quarters.
MGSE3.MD.3 Draw a scaled picture graph
and a scaled bar graph to represent a data
set with several categories. Solve one- and
two-step “how many more” and “how
many less” problems using information
presented in scaled bar graphs. For
example, draw a bar graph in which each
square in the bar graph might represent 5
pets
Activity
ELA:
1. The Sun Our Nearest Star read aloud
3. Research/note taking about heat and
farming
Science:
1. Hot-Air Balloon
1. Love Meter
1. Pressure/experiment
2. Temperature Tracking Projects (dependent
on class)
3.Meeting Farmer
GSE Other Standard(s):
ELAGSE3W1: Write opinion pieces
on topics or texts, supporting a
point of view with reasons. a.
Introduce the topic or book they
are writing about, state an opinion,
and create an organizational
structure that lists reasons. b.
Provide reasons that support the
opinion. c. Use linking words and
phrases (e.g., because, therefore,
since, for example) to connect
opinion and reasons. d. Provide a
concluding statement or section.
Materials
ELA:
The Sun Our Nearest Star
STEM journal
Science:
Love Meter
Toaster/Poster/Plastic Bag
Heat Pressure Tube
Thermometers
Math:
rulers
3rd grade Lesson Plan

Math:
Introduce measurement

ELA: ELA:
3. Taking Notes from Farmer Brandon Heat Comprehension Passages
3. Heat Comprehension Passages
Science:
Science: Solar Oven WebQuest
1. Solar Oven Research Grow Boxes
2. Starting grow-boxes with a cover, without a
Explore cover and with a heat mat to see which plants
STEM journal
grow best.
3. Research/note taking about heat and Math:
farming Data Tables in STEM journal

Math:
2. Tracking temperature changes

ELA: ELA:
3.They will explain why their design should be Comprehension Passages
chosen. Graphic Organizer

Science: Science:
2. Students will design their own solar ovens. Planning Documents
Explain 3. Students will design their own low tunnels
in groups. Math:
Ruler
Math:
3. Using measurement and math to decide the
length of pieces we need.

ELA: ELA:
3. Writing argument for their heat design Writing Choice Board
Choice of using a PowerPoint or Adobe Spark
Science:
Science: Cardboard
2. Students will build their own solar ovens Pipe Cleaners
3. Students will fix their designs and write Plastic Wrap
Extend/ persuasive essays as to why we should select Straws
their design. Tape
Elaborate
Math: Math:
2. Math to track our mini-greenhouse Mini-greenhouses
temperatures. Soil
3. Using math to check the lengths of their Kale Seeds
parts. Rulers
Heat Tracking Paper

Evaluate ELA: ELA:

3. Students will write a reflection about why it STEM journal

Is there evidence of the 4 C’s? __x_Critical Thinking _x_ Creative Thinking _x_Collaboration _x_ Communication
3rd grade Lesson Plan
is important to grow vegetables and control
the heat. Science:
Thermometers
Science:
3. Students will evaluate the effectiveness of Math:
each person’s design and vote for a winner to Thermometers
actually build in the garden. Graphing Paper

3. Students will then assess the successfulness

of the low tunnel by seeing if it can grow
plants

Math:
3. Graphing the temperature inside and
outside the low tunnel

Farmer Brandon Williams will come and speak

to the students about how farmers use
structures to trap heat and extend growing
seasons.

Career/Real-World Viola Martinez from GA Power

Connections
Read: Iggy Peck Architect
Ada Twist Scientist
Rosie Revere Engineer
A Girl with a Mind for Math

S T E M
What science content is What type of technology is What is the EDP being used What math concepts are
being utilized? being integrated? to design or create? being used? (computation,
graphing, budgets, number
sense, etc.)

Heat Heat and Energy Web Quest
to learn more about heat and
trapping heat for Solar Ovens
Adobe Spark and PowerPoint
to Present their projects is an
option on choice boards
Building Solar Ovens
Designing low tunnel for
raised beds
Measuring the lengths when
building
Tracking temperature with
bar graphs

Key:

1. First Learning Segment (Heat Introduction/Solar Ovens)

2. Second Learning Segment (Mini-greenhouses and temperature tracking)

Is there evidence of the 4 C’s? __x_Critical Thinking _x_ Creative Thinking _x_Collaboration _x_ Communication
3rd grade Lesson Plan
3. Third Learning Segment (Building a low-tunnel)

Is there evidence of the 4 C’s? __x_Critical Thinking _x_ Creative Thinking _x_Collaboration _x_ Communication