Staying Cool at Recess: Social Studies Lesson
Lesson Plan
50 minutesGradesKSocial Studies
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Written by Susan Poage, Sustainable Jersey for Schools
About this lesson
In this lesson, students learn that even though the Earth is getting hotter, there are ways they can stay cool on the playground.
Inquire: Students discuss why it's important for children to go outside for recess and what they do if they are hot on the playground.
Investigate: Students collect and sort pictures after going on a hot and cool scavenger hunt in their school’s playground.
Inspire: Students create a map to show places to stay cool on the playground if they are too hot.
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How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson works best when used during warmer months (September, October, May, or June) when there are very hot and sunny days.
- Teachers can use this lesson as an introduction to maps or as a review of map skills if previously taught.
- The book Follow that Map by Scot Ritchie can be read before the lesson to get students thinking about maps.
- This lesson highlights the opportunity for young children to take action and share important information with their peers.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 1 of 3 in our Kindergarten Stay Cool on the Playground unit.
- Teachers will need to source a copy of the book Sun Up, Sun Down by Gail Gibbons in advance. An e-book is available through Open Library.
- Clipboards, scissors, chart paper, tape or glue, and pencils are required for this lesson.
- Students should understand that a map consists of a drawing of a place and map symbols.
- Students should have prior knowledge that the sun is a source of heat and light in our world.
- If your playground has metal equipment, make sure children understand the safety issues.
Differentiation
- Students who are reading can have access to early childhood readers to read more about the sun.
- Striving students or students with fine motor difficulty can use pre-cut icons to create the map and map key/map legend.
- Students with visual, spatial, or fine motor issues can use a teacher-drawn map to show the playground areas.
- Advanced students can draw their own map symbols on the map.
- Optional: Teacher can use clips of this video (0-0:23; 1:19-1:53) to briefly explain that Earth is getting warmer because of something called climate change.
From the scientist review
This lesson gives students a basic understanding of the sun, how it impacts the surface of the Earth and people, and how to stay cool outside on hot days or during heat waves. We reviewed this lesson and it has passed our science credibility process.
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About the teacher writers
Susan Poage
Susan Poage holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education, an Advanced Curriculum and Teaching degree, and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Teaching the Holocaust and Prejudice Reduction from Kean University. She has been teaching since 2002 and has 24 years of experience teaching all subjects in kindergarten and first grade. Susan has also served as an adjunct professor at Kean University and has been recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science (2010) and her district's Educator of the Year award twice.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future.
