South Dakota Science K-PS3-2
The Standard
Design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area. (SEP: 6; DCI: PS3.B, ETS1.B; CCC: Cause/Effect) Alignment may include K-2-ETS1-2
South Dakota Science Standards (2024) · Energy
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Children build a small roof to shade a patch of paper. They compare it with a matching patch left in sunlight to see which feels warmer.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student positions the roof so it keeps sunlight off the paper. They explain that the shaded paper stays cooler because the roof blocks sunlight.
Common Misconceptions
- Some children put the roof beside the paper and expect it to work. Others think shade makes a spot cold, rather than keeping sunlight from warming it.
How to Assess It
- Give each child two blocks, a card, and a paper square. Ask them to build a roof that shades the square and explain how it will affect the paper's warmth.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Put two black paper squares in sunlight; pairs shade one with a card roof on blocks and compare their warmth after ten minutes.
Ask, "Why did the paper under the roof stay cooler?" Have children draw sunlight hitting the roof and tell a partner what happened.
Move a flashlight around model roofs; challenge pairs to adjust blocks and cards so a paper square stays fully shaded.
Visit a sunny playground bench; ask children to sketch a simple roof that would shade the seat at recess.
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Printable K-PS3-2 Worksheet
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