In this lesson, students learn about the role the sun plays in our daily lives and how solar energy can be used.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students listen and respond to the text Sun Up, Sun Down by Gail Gibbons.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students investigate the different roles that the sun plays in our daily lives.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students create a representation of learning and share the importance of renewable energy.
Positives
Students participate in whole and small group discussions and exploration.
Students explore topics through hands-on inquiry-based activities.
Students share information and encourage positive climate action.
Additional Prerequisites
Most required materials are typical classroom items. However, the teacher will need to source some additional materials to complete the mini-lessons and stations, such as pizza boxes, aluminum foil, thermometers, etc.
Differentiation
This lesson was designed to be used in a kindergarten classroom but can easily be modified for first and second grade. See Station and Mini-Lesson Guide for more information about scaffolding the lesson up or down for students.
Students work at their own pace in stations.
Students choose a method of sharing knowledge according to their personal learning.
Additional or alternative texts:
Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty
This text focuses on the sun and space, with the sun serving as the narrator.
The Sun Is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch
Narrative with beautiful imagery.
Simple text. It may be appropriate for some students to read independently.
Running on Sunshine: How Does Solar Energy Work? by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
nonfiction text
This book can be quite dense, so it may be best to read it in chunks for younger students.
The sun is the primary source of energy. This lesson provides students with elementary knowledge about the sun and what it provides and allows them to dive deeper into energy sources and renewable and nonrenewable energy. With the class activity and the teacher guide video, students will know what the sun provides and answer questions as to why we need it. All materials were fact-checked, and this lesson has passed our science review process.
This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.