--- title: 3.L1U1.8 description: 3.L1U1.8 Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface. image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # 3.L1U1.8 Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Weather and Climate](https://www.knowatom.com/weather-and-climate) - [Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer](https://www.knowatom.com/conservation-of-energy-and-energy-transfer) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse 3.L1U1.8 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-03-19-53-3179-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/food-webs) ## [Food Webs In this unit, students focus on the biosphere and how living things depend on their environment and one another for survival. In this first lesson of the unit, they explore the science phenomena of the flow of energy through a food web. This page outlines key parts of the lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/food-webs) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/food-webs) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-12-00-33-1835-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/energy-from-the-sun) ## [Energy from the Sun In this unit, students are introduced to the interdependence of living things and their environment as they analyze how individual organisms are suited to their particular environment, but all organisms require energy and nutrients to survive.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/energy-from-the-sun) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/energy-from-the-sun) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-03-20-03-7546-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plant-structures) ## [Plant Structures In this unit, students analyze how living things have specific structures that allow them to function in different environments. They trace how energy flows through a tropical wetland food web, and then test how temperature affects a plant’s ability to transpire through its leaves, affecting its ability to grow. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson on plant structures. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plant-structures) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plant-structures) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-12-13-28-9672-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/fossil-organisms-and-their-environment) ## [Fossil Organisms and their Environment In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of the interdependence of living things and their environment as they analyze how individual organisms are suited to their particular environment. In this lesson, students evaluate how Earth’s biomes have changed over geologic time, studying fossils for clues of the past. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/fossil-organisms-and-their-environment) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/fossil-organisms-and-their-environment) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-11-39-01-7984-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth) ## [Plant Growth In this unit, students focus on the biosphere, analyzing how living things interact with one another and their environment for survival. In this lesson, students figure out the science phenomenon of how plants gather energy and nutrients. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-08-2023-11-39-02-1427-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/energy-and-matter-in-food-webs) ## [Energy and Matter in Food Webs In this unit, students analyze how matter cycles between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. They compare plant and animal cells, figuring out how internal structures help an organism get energy. Then, in this lesson, students figure out how energy flows and matter cycles through a food web, and investigate the phenomena of how plants convert non-food sources, such as light, air, and water, into food sources. This page showcases key elements of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/energy-and-matter-in-food-webs) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/energy-and-matter-in-food-webs) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-08-2023-11-39-06-2340-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/decomposition) ## [Decomposition In this unit, students focus on the biosphere, analyzing the science phenomena of how living things interact with one another and their environment for survival. In this lesson, students focus on the role of decomposition as they design a compositing solution. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/decomposition) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/decomposition) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-08-2023-12-34-51-8368-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth-and-acid-rain) ## [Plant Growth and Acid Rain In this unit, students focus on how environmental changes impact the ability of organisms to survive, grow, and reproduce, passing their traits on to future generations. In this lesson, students continue their analysis of how a plant’s structures allow it to grow and develop, focusing on how a change in the environment such as pollution can impact a plant’s ability to complete its life cycle. Specifically, students investigate how acid rain affects the external structures of aquatic plants. This page provides an overview of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth-and-acid-rain) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth-and-acid-rain) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-12-34-24-7924-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/ecosytem-dynamics) ## [Ecosystem Dynamics In this unit, students evaluate the science phenomena of how a change to an ecosystem can impact the living things that make it up. In this lesson, students explore how a change to the kind of plants in an environment results in a ripple effect phenomena on predation in the area. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/ecosytem-dynamics) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/ecosytem-dynamics) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo") Quick Links Resources Sign Up for Our Blog ### Sign Up for Our Blog Connect with Us - - - - © 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA [DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/3.l1u1.8", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "3.L1U1.8 Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface." }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ```