Sun Lesson for Kids

Lesson Plan

3 hours 20 minutesGradesK, 1, 2Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts

Scientist Reviewed

Written by Elizabeth Ward

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About this lesson

In this lesson, students learn about the role the sun plays in our daily lives and how solar energy can be used.

Inquire: Students listen and respond to the text Sun Up, Sun Down by Gail Gibbons.

Investigate: Students investigate the different roles that the sun plays in our daily lives.

Inspire: Students create a representation of learning and share the importance of renewable energy.

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Everything you need to teach it

Teacher SlideshowOpen
Teacher DocumentOpen
Student DocumentOpen
Anchor ChartsOpen
Activities SlideshowOpen

How to edit these materials (video)

Teaching tips

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.

From the scientist review

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.

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About the teacher writer

Elizabeth Ward

Elizabeth Ward, B.S., is SubjectToClimate's Chief Product Officer. She has more than 12 years of teaching experience across 3rd-grade science and social studies, Kindergarten, and online EFL, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement. She has spent 8 years in the education sector, spanning curriculum development and ed tech. Outside of work, she loves exploring the natural beauty of her home state of Texas.

At a glance

Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Grades: K, 1, 2
Subjects: Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts
Format: Google Docs, Google Slides, Downloadable MP4/M4V
Language: English
Location: Earth
Created by: SubjectToClimate teachers
Published: March 8, 2023
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · VA.1.CR1.2 + 13 more

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Arts

VA.1.CR1.21. Make art or design with various materials and tools to explore personal interests, questions, and curiosity.

English Language Arts

K.RL.1With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
K.RL.10Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
K.W.2Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic.
1.RL.1Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
1.W.2Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
2.RL.1Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
2.W.2Write multi-paragraph informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Mathematics

K.GM.C.7Describe several measurable attributes of a single object using measurable terms, such as length or weight.
1.GM.B.5Express the length of an object as a whole number of non-standard length units by laying multiple copies of a shorter object (the length unit) end to end.
2.GM.B.4Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate measurement tools.

Science

K.PS3.1Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface.
1.ESS1.1Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
2.LS2.1Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.

This lesson plan is licensed under Creative Commons.