6th - 8th Grade Module 2 Concept 1

Cycle 2

What is temperature? How is it related to thermal energy?
Cycle Summary

In this cycle, students will discover the answer to the guiding question, “What is temperature and how is it related to thermal energy?”

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Session 6
Elicit

Students identify objects that have thermal energy.

Engage

Students illustrate the conversion of kinetic energy into thermal energy (smashing steel balls together burns paper).

Explore

Students conduct a sand shake experiment to make connections between adding kinetic energy to a system and an increase in temperature.

Session 7
Explain

Students engage in a class discussion to draw from their explore activity and make meaning of what causes temperature changes.

Elaborate

Students either use a simulation or participate in an activity using hot, cold and room temperature water to demonstrate the movement of molecules as food coloring diffuses throughout the cups.

Session 8
Elaborate

Students either use a simulation or participate in an activity using hot, cold and room temperature water to demonstrate the movement of molecules as food coloring diffuses throughout the cups.

Evaluate

Based on class discussions students develop definitions of thermal energy and temperature. Students will revisit the elicit activity to edit their answers.

Extend
Extend

Students observe two demonstrations involving temperature and pressure to see how temperature, volume, and pressure are related. **