Temperature
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to measure, compare, and contrast physical properties of matter, including size, mass, volume, states (solid, liquid, gas) temperature, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that matter has physical properties and those properties determine how matter is classified, changed and used.
Science Background
About Temperature: Project Skymath (website) - Explanations about temperature, thermometers, thermal radiation, etc.
About Temperature
Project Skymath, www.eo.ucar.edu
How Do We Measure Temperature: Cool Cosmos, Caltech (website) - Background information on temperature measurement and measurement scales.
How Do We Measure Temperature
Cool Cosmos, Caltech, www.coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu
Signature Lesson
Measuring and Comparing Temperatures: Minnesota Science Teachers Education Project (website) - Students learn to use a thermometer by comparing the temperatures of various materials and locations.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Measuring Temperature: Arctic Climate Modeling.org (PDF) - Students build an air pressure thermometer and use it to measure temperature.
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
M&M’s in Different Temperatures: American Chemistry Society(website) - Students observe how different water temperatures affect the rate at which submerged M&Ms melt.
M&M’s in Different Temperatures
American Chemistry Society, www.inquiryinaction.org
Assessment Ideas
In their notebooks, have students draw a thermometer with a scale from -20 to 120° C. After they have drawn the thermometer, have them use lines to indicate where the fluid line would be for the following temperatures: -5° C, 10° C and 100° C. Ask students to describe why 100° C is an important measure [temperature at which pure water will boil].
Literature Connections
Under the Weather: Stories About Climate Change. Bradman, T. (ISBN-13: 978-1845079307)
National Geographic Investigates Extreme Weather. Simpson, K. (ISBN-13: 978-1426303593)
All About Temperature. Auch, Alison (ISBN: 978-1429666084)
The Magic School Bus Gets Cold Feet. West, Tracy (ISBN: 978-0590397247)
Investigating Matter. Walker, Sally (ISBN: 978-0761378754)
Additional Resources
What's the Weather: FOSSWEB (website) - Cold, hot, warm, cool: what does the temperature mean to you? This interactive animation asks students to help the bear decide what to wear, based on the weather.
What's the Weather
FOSSWEB, http://fossweb.com
Thermometer Quiz: Softschools.com (website) - Use this interactive game to test and increase students’ knowledge and skills for reading a thermometer.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 4
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