Mass and capacity - Temperature activity - Planning

In the Year 3 summer term, students embark on a practical exploration of temperature as part of their learning about measure and capacity. The lesson is structured to begin with a review of previously learned vocabulary related to measurement, such as scale, thermometer, and temperature, alongside comparative terms like hotter, colder, more, and less. Using a variety of resources including differentiated sheets, teaching slides, thermometers, and mini whiteboards, the class engages in a discussion about the concept of temperature. They explore descriptive words and the Celsius scale, with examples such as the temperature of a boiling kettle or an ice lolly. Students then have the opportunity to measure temperatures in different locations around the school and outside, observing variations throughout the day and across different areas.

Following the initial discussion and practical demonstrations, children independently record temperatures using thermometers and mini whiteboards. The activities are designed to cater to different levels of understanding, from using simple or digital thermometers that record in integers of 1 for those working towards expected levels, to thermometers with scales in integers of 2 or 5 for students working at greater depth. The lesson also includes reasoning questions that encourage the interpretation of temperature data, such as comparing readings on Esin's temperature chart. Throughout the lesson, students are prompted to reflect on what they have learned, the skills they have used, and the new concepts they have understood, such as accurately reading thermometer scales and calculating the difference between temperatures.