K-PS3-1
The standard
Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth's surface.
Next Generation Science Standards
What this standard means
Students need to notice what sunlight does to common outdoor materials. They compare sand, soil, rocks, and water in sunny and shady spots. They use senses and simple words like warmer, cooler, dry, wet, light, and dark. No thermometers are needed.
Mastery looks like making a clear observation, comparing two surfaces, and saying that sunlight can make surfaces warmer. Students often think air temperature and surface warmth are the same. They may also overgeneralize, such as saying everything in the sun gets equally hot. Push them to compare one material at a time.
Ways to teach it
- Place cups of sand, soil, rocks, and water in sun and shade for 20 minutes, then have students touch and sort them warmer or cooler.
- Ask students to draw and label what happened to a sunny rock and a shady rock using warmer and cooler.
- Show two photos, one sunny sidewalk and one shaded grass, and ask students which surface would feel warmer and why.
- Connect to recess by asking where students choose to sit on a hot day, sunny pavement, shady grass, or under a tree.
Plan a lesson for K-PS3-1
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related standards
- K-ESS2-1
Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
- 1-ESS1-1
Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
- 1-ESS1-2
Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year.
- 4-ESS2-1
Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.