Objective

By the end of this lesson, RR will understand the concept of heat, how it travels, and its effects on different materials. RR will also be able to identify examples of heat in everyday life and demonstrate simple heat-related experiments.

Materials and Prep

• Two ice cubes
• Two small plastic or paper cups
• A sunny spot and a shaded spot outside
• A thermometer (if available, or just use your hand to feel temperature)

Before the lesson, make sure to find a good sunny spot and a shaded area outside. Explain to RR that we will be observing how heat affects ice and how it can be felt in different environments.

Activities

• Ice Cube Experiment:

  RR will place one ice cube in a sunny spot and the other in a shaded spot. We will observe which ice cube melts faster and discuss why that happens.

• Feeling Heat:

  RR will hold one hand in the sun and one hand in the shade for a minute. Then, we will discuss how it feels different and why.

• Heat and Materials:

  Using the cups, RR can feel the temperature of the cups after being in the sun and shade. We will talk about how different materials absorb heat differently.

Talking Points

• "Heat is a form of energy that makes things warm. Can you feel the warmth from the sun?"
• "When we put the ice cubes outside, the one in the sun gets warm faster because the sun gives it heat!"
• "Do you think different materials feel hot or cold the same way? Let's find out!"
• "What happens to ice when it gets heat? Yes, it melts! That’s because heat makes the ice change from solid to liquid!"
• "We can feel heat with our skin. How did your hands feel in the sun compared to the shade?"
• "Heat can travel in different ways. It can move through the air, or through solid things like metal!"
• "Remember, heat always moves from something hot to something cold. That’s why ice melts!"
• "Can you think of other places where we see heat? Like the stove, or outside on a hot day?"