How to Teach Temperature in the Third Grade
Third-grade students should already understand the concepts of hot and cold, and the purpose of a thermometer to tell them the temperature. Now it is time to focus on both Fahrenheit and Celsius. While third-grade students may not be ready to complete the mathematical formula to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius, they can learn whether any given temperature is cold or warm.
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Instructions
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Have students copy information about Fahrenheit and Celsius on an index card. The pertinent information includes the freezing point for both Fahrenheit (32) and Celsius (0) and the boiling point for Fahrenheit (212) and Celsius (100).
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Show students a thermometer to compare Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures.
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Have students complete worksheet identifying temperatures. The worksheet also can help students identify cold weather temperatures.
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Provide a variety of temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. Students do not need to be able to convert the temperatures exactly, but should be able to know whether a temperature is generally hot or cold. The formula for converting temperatures, if students are interested, is: Celsius temperature = (5/9) times (Fahrenheit temperature minus 32).
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Hold a temperature race. One science teacher has her students grouped into two teams and race against each other. First, she writes down a dozen or so temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. Then, either using pictures or actual clothes, create two piles (one for each team) that includes sandals, sneakers, boots, long and short sleeve shirts, pants, shorts, bathing suits, coats and jackets.
After calling out a temperature, one student from each team must run to his pile of clothes and choose the appropriate item for the temperature. Whoever picks up the correct item first gets a point for his team.
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Consider an extension activity such as building a thermometer. Lesson plan and details for how to do this are available online.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit thermometer image by Holtea Silviu from Fotolia.com
