Lesson 3: The Sun

• Nearly all energy on Earth originally comes from the sun.
• Humans, animals, and plants all interact with the sun on a daily basis.
• Human cultures have always been fascinated by the sun and wondered about its existence.

How does the sun affect life on Earth?

• Students will be able to discuss the role the sun has played in human mythology.
• Students will be able to observe and measure the ways the sun affects animal behavior.

NGSS:

• Disciplinary Core Ideas: ESS2.D (K-2) (9-12), LS1.C (K-2) (3-5) (6-8), LS2.A (3-5), PS3.D (K-2) (3-5) (6-8)
• Science and Engineering Practices: 3, 4, 6, 7,8
• Crosscutting Concepts: 2, 5, 6, 7

CCSS: ELA/Literacy:

• Reading: R.K.1, R.K.2, R.K.4, R.K.6, R.K.9, R.1.1, R.1.2, R.1.4, R.1.6, R.1.9, R.2.1, R.2.2, R.2.4, R.2.6, R.2.9, R.3.1, R.3.2, R.3.4, R.3.6, R.3.9, R.4.1, R.4.2, R.4.4, R.5.1, R.5.2, R.5.4, R.6.1, R.6.2, R.6.6, R.7.1, R.7.2, R.8.1, R.8.2
• Writing: W.K.2, W.K.8, W.1.2, W.1.8, W.2.8
• Speaking and Listening: SL.K.1, SL.K.2, SL.K.6, SL.1.1, SL.1.2, SL.1.6, SL.2.1, SL.2.2, SL.2.6, SL.3.1, SL.3.2, SL.3.6, SL.4.1, SL.4.2, SL.5.1, SL.5.2, SL.6.2

National Geography Standards: 4, 6, 7, 15

The sun is an important factor for life on Earth. Almost all of the energy used by all living creatures on Earth originates in the sun. Plants use energy from the sun directly, converting it into food via photosynthesis. The energy then moves up the food chain provide as animals eat the plants and other animals eat those animals. Humans have found many ways to use the sun’s energy. The energy in the food we eat originated in the sun; the energy stored in fossil fuels comes from very old dead plants and therefore from the sun. The sun causes wind, so windmills use energy from the sun, and of course solar power uses energy directly from the sun.

• sundial: a device that uses the position of the sun and the shadow it casts to tell the time of day
• electromagnetic radiation: energy that travels in the form of a wave; examples include visible light, radio waves, infrared and ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays

“Why Does the Sun Shine?” and “Why Does the Sun Really Shine?” by They Might Be Giants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JdWlSF195Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-KyciKHw-g

Assess prior knowledge by asking students to respond in writing and pictures to the prompt, “What are the different ways in which humans use the sun and its energy?” Have students repeat this activity after the unit of study.

• Light is not a form of energy.
• Misconceptions about the origin of the sun