The Sun
Jordan Blosser, Kim Bogner, Brittany Burger, Annie Schmig
Content Introduction: The Sun is a key aspect to survival for many reasons. The Sun keeps the earth from freezing, provides many resources to the earth that help it function as well it creates the different seasons we experience throughout the year. In our website, we explored the different standards within kindergarten, first, second and third grade that connected to the topic of the sun. Below are the grade levels and their corresponding standard and content overview. Using the tabs above, there is a science concept planner showing the different topics for each grade level as well a tab for each grade that goes deeper into the content and information. The video below is a great resource for teachers to first learn the different aspects of the Sun as well a great resource to show students as it takes them through the importance and what the sun does for us as well gives a visual representation of the sun. http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/101-videos/sun-101-sc
- Kindergarten: In kindergarten, the standard is "the moon, sun and stars can be observed at different times of the day or night. " The moon, sun and stars are in different positions at different times of the day or night. The sun’s position in the sky changes in a single day and from season to season. Changes in the position of the sun in the sky can be measured and recorded at different times during the school day. This data can be compared from month to month to monitor changes.
- First Grade: The standard for first grade is "the sun is the principal source of energy". Sunlight warms Earth’s land, air and water. The amount of exposure to sunlight affects the amount of warming or cooling of air, water, and land. Quantitative measurements must be used to observe and document the warming and cooling of air, water, or soil. It is important to make observations about the length of time that an object or material is exposed to sunlight and the temperature that results from that, as well as the amount of time for the object or material to cool down.
- Second Grade: In second grade the standard is under the topic of atmosphere and is "long and short-term weather changes occur due to changes in energy". This standard focuses on weather and energy. The incorporation of the sun is through the weather. The sun has heat energy which causes evaporation. Evaporation leads to condensation, precipitation and collection, also known as the water cycle. In second grade the students are continuing to build off of their previous knowledge of energy and the sun from kindergarten and first grade. Without the sun we would not have weather or season changes.
- Third Grade: In third grade, the main standard that relates to the topic of the sun is, "earths resources can be used for energy". This standard looks specifically at the different resources on earth that provide energy. Although there are many resources that provide energy, one of the main sources of energy is the Sun. The sun provides heat, light as creates solar energy through solar panels. The sun provides energy to almost everything here on earth. Without it we would not be able to function. Teaching the students about renewable and nonrenewable resources is a key aspect to this standard and understanding how energy and resources work. Students at this age have an understanding that sunlight can warm the air and water. They will further this understand by using this knowledge to understand that the sunlight can give us energy and help us perform everyday tasks on earth.
These two pictures show two different ways the suns energy can be captured and used. Through the use of solar panels, the suns energy is captured used for creating electricity and heat. Leaves on a plant can also act as a solar panel and absorbs the solar energy which is then transferred to other animals which enables them to survive and thrive.
Useful Links
Videos:
Below is a video that can be found on youtube. There are many different lessons that relate to the sun and weather that can be viewed and shown in a classroom.
Below is a video that can be found on youtube. There are many different lessons that relate to the sun and weather that can be viewed and shown in a classroom.
The following link leads to a collection of NSTA articles that could be used to develop this topic.