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Kindergarten. In Unit K.1 Energy: Sunlight, students work to answer the Unit Driving Question: "Why do some surfaces get hot and how can we make them less hot?"

Have you ever wondered why some surfaces outside are hot and others are less hot? This unit begins with a shared experience of observing how surfaces feel hot and less hot outside around the schoolyard. Then students make and record observations of different surfaces in different places in their schoolyard. They compare those observations with their classmates' to identify patterns to answer their questions about what causes some surfaces to feel hot and others to feel less hot. Students use drawings to explain and share what they figure out about this phenomenon. Students then use their observations to identify the problem that blacktop can get too hot and be uncomfortable to play on. They brainstorm solutions to this problem based on their investigations, draw design solutions, and collaboratively build and test their designs. Students end the unit by creating a class consensus design based on their comparisons of the design features and materials that work best to prevent the blacktop from getting too hot.

This 1-Class Unit Kit comes with basic teacher access to instructional materials on Carolinascienceonline.com, plus the materials needed for a teacher to teach 1 class of 28 students per day.

Building Toward the Next Generation Science Standards
Performance Expectations (PEs)

K-PS3-1: Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth's surface.
K-PS3-2: Use tools and materials provided to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area.
K-2-ETS1-1: Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool (also addressed in Unit K.3: How can we move things to where we want them to go?).
K-2-ETS1-2: Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem (also addressed in Unit K.3: How can we move things to where we want them to go?).

Focal Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs)

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Focal Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs)

PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions

Focal Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns
Cause and Effect

*All enhancements to materials and instruction for this Carolina Certified Version of the unit are approved by OpenSciEd® to preserve the integrity of the storyline and the instructional model.

The Next Generation Science Standards® is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.