Hot or Not Teacher Guide Thermal Trailblazers: Day 1
Hot or Not Lesson Guide
Lesson Objective
Students will identify and sort common household objects into "Hot" and "Cold" categories, demonstrating an understanding of temperature-based safety and vocabulary.
Prep Checklist
Print and cut Temperature Sort Cards (Student Material)
Gather sensory bins: One with ice, one with warm towels
Set up Lesson 1 Slides
Two bins labeled "HOT" (Red) and "COLD" (Blue)
Pacing & Activities
10m
Sensory Intro
Students touch a bag of ice and a warm washcloth. Practice vocalizing "Hot" and "Cold". Ask: "Which one makes you go Brrr?"
15m
Slide Discussion
Show "Hot or Not" slides. Discussion prompts:
Slide 3: "If you see steam, what does that mean?" (It's hot!)
Slide 4: "Where do we keep ice cream so it doesn't melt?" (Freezer)
Safety: Emphasize "Ask an Adult Hero" before touching hot things.
20m
The Big Sort (Interactive Activity)
Divide students into small groups. Give each group a set of Temperature Sort Cards.
The Task: Students take turns picking a card and placing it in either the Red (Hot) or Blue (Cold) bin.
5m
Quick Review
Hold up a real item (coffee mug vs ice water). Students call out the category. Give "Hot or Not" high-fives!
Support Strategies
Non-Verbal: Use Red/Blue colored PECS cards.
Sensory: If a student is tactile-defensive, use visual steam/ice photos only.
Hot or Not Slides Hot or Not
Learning about Temperature
What is Temperature?
Temperature tells us if something is HOT or COLD.
We can feel it with our hands (safely!).
It's HOT!
Hot Coffee
The Sun
The Stove (Heat!)
Wait & Ask!
It's COLD!
Ice Cream
Snow
Fridge
Feels Chilly!
Watch: Temperature Fun
Teachers: Add your YouTube link here!
Recommended: "Hot and Cold Song for Kids"
Activity Time!
Pick a card. Is it HOT or COLD?
HOT
COLD
Temperature Sort Cards Temperature Sort Cards
Identify the item. Is it Hot or Cold?
Coffee
Ice Cream
Fire
Snowman
Stove
Ice Cube
Sort Cards (Continued)
Summer Sun
Fridge
Soup
Juice
Measuring Magic Teacher Guide Thermal Trailblazers: Day 2
Measuring Magic Lesson Guide
Lesson Objective
Students will identify a thermometer as the tool used to measure heat and practice reading digital and simplified analog thermometers to determine if a temperature is safe or unsafe.
Required Materials
Real digital and analog thermometers to pass around
"Temperature Match Task Cards" printed and laminated
Dry-erase markers for Task Cards
Lesson 2 Slides ready for projection
Pacing & Activities
10m
The Tool Showcase
Show the real thermometers. Point out the numbers. Explain that the red line (analog) goes UP when it's hot and DOWN when it's cold. Show the digital screen and how the numbers change.
15m
Direct Instruction (Slides)
Use slides to show "The Danger Zone" (High numbers/Hot) and "The Brrr Zone" (Low numbers/Cold). Focus on reading the large digit on digital displays.
25m
Task Card Rotation (Activity)
Place task cards at different stations. Students rotate and use dry-erase markers to circle "Hot" or "Cold" based on the thermometer image. Provide 1:1 support for number identification.
5m
Check for Understanding
Hold up a card. Ask: "Is the number big or small? Is it hot or cold?"
Scaffolding
For students struggling with multi-digit numbers, focus only on the first digit or the color of the red line on the analog cards.
Key Vocabulary
Thermometer
Number
Up / Down
Degree
Temperature Task Cards Temperature Task Cards
Circle HOT or COLD.
100°
Hot
Cold
32°
Hot
Cold
100° 80° 60° 40° 20° 0°
Hot
Cold
100° 80° 60° 40° 20° 0°
Hot
Cold
98.6°
Body Temperature
Hot
Cold
Kitchen Heat Safety Teacher Guide Thermal Trailblazers: Day 3
Kitchen Heat Safety
Lesson Objective
Students will identify appliances that use heat to cook food and demonstrate safe behaviors when near these items using the "Stop, Look, and Ask" rule.
Scavenger Hunt Setup
Print Heat Source Hunt checklists (Student Material)
Mark classroom heat sources with red tape
Clipboards and pencils for tracking
Visual "Stop" signs near the kitchen area
Pacing & Activities
10m
"Hot Spot" Discussion
Show pictures of a stove and oven. Ask: "Can we touch this when it's on?" Practice saying "No! It is hot!"
10m
Stop, Look, Ask
Model behavior: Walk toward a microwave, hold up a hand ("Stop"), and say "Hero/Adult, is this hot?"
25m
Heat Source Hunt (Activity)
Students use their clipboards to find the heat sources. For each one found, they demonstrate the "Stop" sign and check it off their list.
Hero Safety Rules
✋
STOP
👀
LOOK
🙋♂️
ASK
Heat Source Scavenger Hunt Heat Source Hunt
Can you find all the things that use heat?
Name:
Date:
Find these items and check the box!
🔥
The Stove
HOT! STOP & ASK
🍞
The Toaster
HOT! STOP & ASK
📟
The Microwave
HOT! STOP & ASK
⏲️
The Oven
HOT! STOP & ASK
🫖
The Kettle
HOT! STOP & ASK
I am a Heat Safety Hero!
Weather Ready Teacher Guide Thermal Trailblazers: Day 4
Weather Ready Lesson Guide
Lesson Objective
Students will apply knowledge of temperature to choose clothing for the weather and identify safe food temperatures (hot soup vs cold ice cream).
Activity Setup
"Weather Ready Choice Board" (Student Material)
Real clothing: Winter coat, gloves, t-shirt, sunglasses
"Heat Hero Board Game" (Unit Review)
Certificate Stickers for "Heat Heroes"
Pacing & Activities
10m
The Weather Check
Check the real temperature outside. Ask: "Is it a Hot number (like 90) or a Cold number (like 30)?" Use the **Weather Ready Choice Board** to pick the right outfit.
15m
Food Safety Challenge
Show pictures of food. Discuss safety:
Soup/Pizza: "It's steaming! Is it safe to eat right now?" (No, wait!)
Ice Cream: "Does this need to stay hot or cold?" (Cold!)
20m
Heat Hero Board Game (Unit Review)
Divide into pairs. Students play the board game to review all concepts: Hot vs Cold, Thermometer Reading, and Kitchen Safety.
5m
Hero Graduation
Hand out stickers. Review the big rule: "If it's hot, stop and ask!"
Final Review
Thermometer: What does it measure? (Heat)
Safety: What do you do near a hot stove? (Stop and Ask)
Food: What do you do if your pizza is steaming? (Wait)
Weather: What do you wear in the snow? (Coat/Gloves)
Heat Hero Board Game Heat Hero Board Game
Answer the question to stay on the space!
START
☕
Is Coffee HOT?
🧤
For Cold Gear?
❄️
Go Back 1
👕
For Hot Weather?
🍦
Cold Treat?
🌡️
Roll Again
🔥
Wait & Ask?
🥘
Wait to Cool?
⚠️
Back to Start
🧊
Ice is Cold?
☀️
Sun is Hot?
🧣
For Snow?
🥧
Is Oven Hot?
🥤
Cold Soda?
🏆 FINISH
Instructions:
Choose a marker.
Roll one dice.
Move following the arrows.
Answer the question!
Rules:
If you land on ⚠️ Danger Zone, you must go back to START! If you land on 🌡️, roll again!
Weather Ready Choice Board Weather Ready Choice Board
Point to or circle what you should wear!
☀️
It is 90° - HOT!
👕 T-Shirt
🧣 Scarf
🩳 Shorts
❄️
It is 30° - COLD!
🧥 Big Coat
🧤 Gloves
🩴 Flip Flops
🔥
The Oven is ON!
Touch It
Ask for Help
Walk Away