What students learn in AC9S3U03
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: identify sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when heat energy is transferred from one object to another.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- exploring how we sense heat and identifying sources of heat such as the sun, fire, electrical devices and geothermal springs recognising that changes in heat energy can be measured using a thermometer
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: identify sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when heat energy is transferred from one object to another
- E1: exploring how we sense heat and identifying sources of heat such as the sun, fire, electrical devices and geothermal springs
- E2: recognising that changes in heat energy can be measured using a thermometer
- E3: observing and, with assistance, measuring, what happens when a cold object is placed in direct contact with a warm object and proposing explanations
- E4: modelling the movement of heat from one object to another using drawing or role-play
- E5: investigating how well heat is transferred by different types of materials such as metals, plastics and ceramics and identifying how materials are used to keep things hot and cold
- E6: exploring how First Nations Australians developed clothing from animal skins such as possum furs and kangaroo skin cloaks that trap heat close to the body to stay warm (teaching context)
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9S3U03 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Describing what is seen without connecting it to a question, pattern or prediction.
- Using everyday words only and missing simple scientific vocabulary.
- Changing more than one thing in an investigation, which makes the comparison unfair.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9S3U03 — identify sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when heat energy is transferred from one object to another |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 3 Science: closest match in Physical sciences. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 2 Science: closest content focus for Sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 3 NGSS science closest topic match for Sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 2 / Year 3: closest programme-of-study match for Sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 3 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 2 Science: closest achievement-objective topic for Sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 3 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when.... |