Monitoring Temperature

What happens to the room's temperature when I'm not here?

Lesson idea. This activity would follow previous experience of using a temperature sensor to record over time. The teacher asks the class to predict what happens to the room temperature outside school hours. The replies may be used to allow groups to sketch the prediction as a line graph, pin these to the board and discuss when results are available. One student might do this holding a pen while another pulls a paper sheet to their left. Following these predictions, a Data Harvest data logger is set to record over a weekend for example. The class discussion continues when the results have been recorded.

Teaching approach. This lesson involves the use of higher order questioning^(ta) on scientific method^(ta) topics to engage pupils in an inquiry^(ta) relating to recording temperature and the use of sensors.

Resource details
Title	Monitoring Temperature - Day and Night
Topic	[[Topics/Measuring|Measuring]]
Teaching approach	[[Teaching Approaches/Questioning|Questioning]],  [[Teaching Approaches/Inquiry|Inquiry]],  [[Teaching Approaches/Scientific method|Scientific method]]
Learning Objectives	Understand that the sun is a source of heat as well as a source of light. Be aware that colours absorb heat (radiation) at different rates. Know how a line graph displays results.
Format / structure	A three-page teacher's guide with questions to ask about the vocabulary of graphs.
Subject	[[Resources/Science|Science]]
Age of students / grade	[[Resources/Primary|Primary]],  [[Resources/Age 7-11|Age 7-11]]
Additional Resources/material needed	This activity requires a temperature sensor and a large display to discuss the temperature changes the next day and was written around temperature sensing equipment made by Data Harvest UK.
Related ORBIT Wiki Resources	Book of activities using sensors Primary_Science_Curriculum_Activities_with_Sensors
Files and resources to view and download	Read and use now: For OCR