Topic: Day 1 - Thermometer

Subject: 5th Grade Science

Materials:
Thermometer
Plastic Cup Filled with Ice
Recording Sheet and Pencil
Water Bottle Without Lid
Water
Modeling Clay
Clear Drinking Straw
Red Food Coloring

Essential Question:
How is temperature measured?

Standards Addressed:
5.E.1.1 Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions (including wind speed
and direction, precipitation, and temperature) and patterns.

5.E.1.2 Predict upcoming weather events from weather data collected through observation
and measurements.

Learning Targets:
I understand how temperature is measured with a thermometer.

Content Strategies and Activities

Engage Ask students, “Can you make a thermometer’s temperature rise and fall
(5 min.) without leaving your seats?” Allow students to brainstorm ideas in
partners or groups of three.

Give one student from each group a thermometer and cup of ice. Allow
students to explore whether they are able to make the temperature rise
and fall without leaving their seats.

After a few minutes, ask the students how they were able to make the
temperature of their thermometers rise and fall.

Explore Assess the students’ understanding of the use and care of a

(15 min.) thermometer. Assign students to take a recording sheet, a thermometer,
and their pencil outside or somewhere in the school. Give students five
minutes to measure the temperature of any surface and write down the
location and the temperature on their recording sheet.
 When the class returns, ask students to share their findings. At this
point, the data can be written on the board or on a weather chart in their
science notebooks. Have the students write why the thermometer
readings are different throughout the room, school, or playground. Read
them aloud and have a discussion about the differences.

Explain Review what students learned about the thermometers and the uses of
(5 min.) thermometers. Show them a thermometer and have them explain how
they think they work to measure temperature. Explain to them that
when the water in the bulb begins to heat up it expands and goes up the
tube. The warmer it gets the higher it goes. Tell them that they are
going to make thermometers today to see how they work.

Elaborate Pass out materials and provide the following directions to make
(20 min.) homemade thermometers.

1. Fill the water bottle with cold water. Add two drops of red food
coloring to the water. Swirl the bottle to mix.
2. Insert the straw into the bottle, not letting it sink to the bottom.
(Ask, “Why do you think the straw should not touch the bottom of your bottle?”
Allow students to brainstorm and explain their thinking.)
3. Wrap modeling clay around part of the straw and the opening of
the bottle to make it stay. Let part of the straw stick out of the bottle.
Make sure to leave the top opening of the straw uncovered.
(Ask, “How do you think the fluid level will change if the bottle is cooled or
warmed?” Allow students to brainstorm and explain their thinking.)
4. Test the thermometer. Put your hands around the bottle and let it
warm. In your science notebook answer the following question,
“What happens to the thermometer when it warms?”
5. Now, place the warm thermometer into your cup of melted ice
water. In your science notebook answer the following question,
“What happens to the thermometer when it cools?”
6. Draw a model of your thermometer in your science notebook.

As the water in the bottles get warmer, the water will rise in the clear
straws. As the water in the bottles cool, the water falls in the clear
straws. Have students mark the height of the column of water on a piece
of paper. Use a thermometer to find the current room temperature and
have students write it next to the mark they made. Have students check
regularly and record any changes their science notebooks.

Evaluate Have students record the temperature each day of the week at the same
(5 min.) time each day in their science notebooks. Discuss the observations
daily. Observe students’ recording sheet for accuracy as they make
measurements of temperature. Evaluate their success at making a
homemade thermometer. Check their science notebooks for accuracy.