Unit Plan 32 (Grade K Science): Sunlight, Shade & Plants
Kindergarten science unit exploring how sunlight warms surfaces, how shade reduces heat, and how students design and test shade structures to support plant needs.
Focus: Explore how sunlight warms Earth’s surface and supports living things, then design and test shade structures that reduce warming while connecting plant needs to everyday human choices.
Grade Level: K
Subject Area: Science (Physical Science • Life Science • Engineering Design)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students investigate how sunlight affects the temperature of different surfaces and how shade can reduce warming. They connect these ideas to living things by observing that plants and animals (including humans) have needs, and that sunlight and temperature can affect where plants grow best. The week includes an engineering challenge: design and test a shade structure that keeps a “plant spot” cooler, then explain how people use shade (trees, awnings, hats) to make choices that help living things meet their needs.
Essential Questions
- How does sunlight change the temperature of Earth’s surfaces?
- How is shade different from sun, and how does it affect warming?
- What do plants need to survive, and how can sunlight and shade help or hurt them?
- How can we design a structure that reduces the warming effect of sunlight on an area?
- How do people use shade in everyday life to meet needs and stay safe?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Make observations that show sunlight warms different surfaces (sand/soil, water, black paper, sidewalk) (K-PS3-1).
- Compare areas in sun vs. shade and describe which is warmer/cooler using simple evidence (touch-safe comparisons, class thermometers, or teacher-read temperatures) (K-PS3-1).
- Describe patterns of what plants and animals need to survive (water, food, air, shelter, space; plants also need sunlight) (K-LS1-1).
- Use tools and materials to design and build a shade structure that reduces warming on a small area (K-PS3-2).
- Test two shade designs and use simple data (hot/cool ratings, picture graphs, tally marks) to compare which design works better (K-PS3-2).
Standards Alignment — Grade K (NGSS-Aligned)
- K-PS3-1 — Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface.
- Example: Compare how warm a tray in sunlight becomes versus a tray in shade.
- K-PS3-2 — Use tools and materials to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area.
- Example: Build a shade roof or umbrella-style cover and test which keeps a “plant spot” cooler.
- K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
- Example: Sort picture cards into “needs” (water/food/air/shelter) and connect plant needs to sunlight and water.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can tell what happens when sunlight shines on the ground or water.
- I can explain that shade can make an area cooler than the sun.
- I can name what plants need to live (like water and sunlight).
- I can build a shade structure and test if it keeps an area cooler.
- I can share which design worked best and give a reason using what I observed.