STEM 434/534 Lesson Planning Template

(Complete answers in Purple font)

Topic: Does The Sun Warm
Name: Kalia Donigan Grade: Kindergarten
Our Earth?

Brief Lesson Description: In this lesson, the teacher will start a discussion with the students
by asking them about a time when they went outside and the weather was warm and perfect.
The goal is to urge the students to talk about a sunny day when it was warm out. This will lead
to the discussion of how the sun heats our earth. The students will walk around and collect
leaves to put in the middle of their sun catchers (on sticky wax paper). We will discuss if
leaves and other objects are opaque or translucent. (Lesson will last for 2-3 days.)

Specific Learning Outcomes:

● Students will know how shadows are created.
● Students will be able to define opaque and translucent.

How did this lesson develop as a result of your examination of research and data about
employing culturally sustaining pedagogical strategies? (Think equal opportunity, student
interests, race, gender, disabilities etc.) In my opinion, this lesson is for everyone and all
students can participate whether they are gifted, ELL, or special needs.
Narrative / Background Information

Prior Student Knowledge:

Science VA SOL Health VA SOL NGSS (You may have to look

K.8 The student will K.3 The student will to a different grade level for
investigate and understand describe and demonstrate the connection)
that light influences behaviors that promote
temperatures on Earth’s
health and prevent injury 1-PS4-3 Plan and conduct
surfaces and can cause investigations to determine
and disease.
shadows. the effect of placing
a) The sun provides objects made with different
light and warms o) Demonstrate strategies
materials in the path of a
Earth’s surface. for making friends and
beam of light.
showing kindness,
b) Shadows can be consideration, and concern
produced when for others.
sunlight or artificial
light is blocked by
an object.

c) Objects in shadows
and objects in sunlight have
different temperatures.

Science & Engineering Practices: (You must tie engineering practices into your plan)
I wonder… Statements
I wonder if my leaf will be translucent or see through if I shine my flashlight on it.
Possible Preconceptions/Misconceptions:
A leaf will be translucent because it is very thin.

LESSON PLAN – 5-E Model

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

Explore different objects outside with our hands and note if they are hot or cold after
sitting out in the sun.
Questions:
1. What in our world makes the earth hot or cold?
2. Does the ground feel warm or cold?
3. Does the slide on the playground feel hot or cold?
4. When standing in the sun, do you see anything around you on the ground? (Shadow)

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

Mini flashlights, Paper Plates, Leaves, Sticky Wax Paper (Translucent)

Students will use the materials to make a suncatcher that will hang in the window of our
classroom.

EXPLAIN: Concepts Explained and Vocabulary Defined:

Vocabulary:
Sunlight
Shadow
Opaque
Translucent

ELABORATE: Applications and Extensions:

EVALUATE:
Formative Monitoring (Questioning / Discussion):
Class Discussion about vocabulary words that were used and how the sun is important to our
environment.
Summative Assessment (Quiz / Project / Report) (Include a rubric):
A short quiz that has pictures for the students to circle if an object is opaque or
translucent.

Plan for differentiation: (Be sure to specifically address the following learners)

● Students with high-incidence disabilities (e.g., autism, ADHD, mild learning disorders)

Students with disabilities can participate in the activity because the instructions are one step
and easy to follow. Visuals can also be included to assist. The teacher can use sign language to
symbolize a leaf while using the word or simply show the students a leaf and allow them to
choose which leaf they want to create with.

● ELL

For students that speak different languages, visuals can be included and words can be
translated.

● Gifted learners
For gifted learners they can start using a weather thermometer to track the weather outside
and update the class weather chart by writing the correct numbers in the temperature boxes.

Elaborate Further / Reflect: Enrichment:

● How will you evaluate your practice?

Measuring how engaged the students are in the activity and if they understand how
the sun warms the earth and makes shadows.

● Where might/did learners struggle in the lesson?

The learners may have struggles with understanding opaque and translucent.

● How can the lesson be strengthened for improved student learning?

I can strengthen my lesson by letting the kids explore more on their own with their
mini flashlights and make shadows with objects they find.

● Did the lesson reflect culturally sustaining pedagogies? If not, how can this be
enhanced?

Translating definitions and instructions to different languages.

Materials Required for This Lesson/Activity

Potential Supplier (item Estimated

Quantity Description
#) Price

1 Pack of Paper Plates Dollar Tree $1.55

Leaves Outside

1 Weather Thermometer Amazon $9.98

1 Adhesive Wax Paper Roll Home Depot $45.00