Behaviorism Lesson Plan

Here Comes the Sun
Behaviorism Lesson Plan

Purpose: With a collection of antecedents, such as learning background facts about the stars, as well as experimenting with thermometers, students will consequently learn about the Sun.

Lesson: Teacher will share some fun facts about the Sun.
The sun is a star that produces heat and light. The sun has rays that provide the heat and light that is essential for life on Earth. It supports life through photosynthesis in plants, and provides warmth and light. In addition to supporting life on Earth, sunlight is critical to human physical and psychological well-being. The benefits of the sun include keeping Earth’s temperatures warm enough to sustain life, providing light, and helping plants grow by providing food.

Students will begin the hands on part of the lesson by using observational learning. The teacher will model the project they are going to do.

1. Divide the students into groups.
2. Pass out construction paper, scissors, glue, and rulers to make temperature pockets.
3. Instruct students to measure two 6” x 6” inch squares of each color. Glue three sides together to form a pocket.
4. Review how to read a thermometer.
5. Students place strip thermometers inside the pockets and place all four pockets outside in the sun for the first part of the experiment.
6. Students predict what they think the temperatures will be for each color of pocket.
7. Check the pockets periodically for morning temperatures and for afternoon temperatures.
8. Record temperatures. *Variations may include placing the pockets in a shaded area and check for temperatures during the following day.
9. Journal the results and compare. Have students journal the steps used to experiment with the pockets and thermometers. (Draw pictures) Did the color of the paper make a difference in the heat recorded? Where was the pocket placed directly in the sun, in a shaded area? Consider questions such as: Which color of paper do you think will heat up the most? And why the students think there is a difference in the temperature.

Utilize shaping as students are working on the project. When you notice a student doing a part of the assignment properly encourage them and use positive reinforcement; give students a fun Sun crossword puzzle to work on after they complete the assignment if they are following directions. This may be a representation of the Premack principle in that some students may not like crossword puzzles, but it will be a fun way to practice and test the students’ knowledge.

At the end of the project use continuous reinforcement schedule. As students answer the quiz questions asked, reward them with parts of an ice cream “sun”dae after each question.