OpenSciEd Unit 6.2 · Lesson 15 · 15.B
Look for: Group 1 read a text about the absorption of l…
From Teacher Edition
Facilitation guidance from the lesson plan — what to notice in student thinking and how to respond while teaching.
Building towards
15.B.1 Develop a consensus model for explaining two mechanisms for energy transfer into a system, and design features that minimize energy transfer into a system.
What to look / listen for
Group 1 read a text about the absorption of light. Look to see if students make the connection that absorption of energy from light is related to an increase in particles’ kinetic energy. This group’s mechanism(s) for energy transfer are radiation and absorption of light by particles. See if students explain how reflective materials block the absorption of light.
Group 2 read a text about types of porous materials with air pockets. Look to see if students make the connection that porous materials are filled with air pockets and that air has fewer particles and therefore fewer opportunities for particle collisions. This group’s mechanism for energy transfer is thermal energy transfer via conduction/particle collisions. See if students explain how air pockets slow down or minimize particle collisions.
What to do
As small groups are working, circulate and ask probing questions where necessary if students are struggling with how the information they are reading helps to explain how energy transfer is being affected in the cup system.