7th Grade Energy Transfer Lesson Plan

Learning Objectives

• Describe how thermal energy transfers from warmer to cooler objects.
• Collect and graph temperature data over time.
• Write a CER conclusion about energy transfer using lab data.

• Hold a metal spoon in hot water for 10 seconds. Ask: 'What happened to the spoon? Where did the energy come from?'
• Students record predictions in their notebooks.
• Transition: 'Let's investigate how energy moves between objects.'

• Lab groups place a metal rod into a cup of hot water. Record temperature of the rod every 2 minutes for 10 minutes.
• Safety: handle hot water carefully, use thermometer correctly.
• Record data in a pre-formatted table.
• Teacher circulates to check thermometer readings and safety.

• Groups graph their temperature data (time vs. temperature).
• Class discussion: 'What pattern do you see? When did the temperature change fastest?'
• Introduce key vocabulary: thermal energy, conduction, equilibrium.

• Students write a CER conclusion answering: 'How does energy transfer between the water and the metal?'
• Sentence frame available: 'I claim ___ because the data shows ___, which means ___.'

• Exit question: 'If we used plastic instead of metal, predict what would happen and explain why.'
• Collect notebooks. Lab cleanup.

Assessment

• Student product: Data table, graph, and CER conclusion.
• Criteria: Accurate data, graph with labeled axes, CER with data citations.
• Success indicator: 80% of students correctly describe the energy transfer direction with data support.