What Does The Sun Do?
Summary
In this introductory activity the students will explore different areas on the school grounds to investigate what the sun can do, using the natural world and their senses. Students will record their observations and questions on a class chart and illustrate examples of shadows and reflections in their science notebooks.
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Learning Goals
Learning Goals
This activity is designed for the student to discover through observation that the sun is a source of light for the earth. The teacher will guide students to understand this by noticing shadows and reflections.
This activity is designed for the student to discover through observation that the sun is a source of light for the earth. The teacher will guide students to understand this by noticing shadows and reflections.
Context for Use
This activity would start in the classroom with a brief discussion, 5-10 minutes to activate prior knowledge, then move to the school grounds for a walk, about 30 minutes. If you have limited school grounds you could walk around the neighborhood or to a local park. Bring your camera along to document what you notice.When back in the classroom finish your discussion either right away or later in the day.This would take another 15-20 minutes.
Subject: Earth Science
Resource Type: Field Activity,Classroom Activity
Grade Level: Primary (K-2)
Subject: Earth Science
Resource Type: Field Activity,Classroom Activity
Grade Level: Primary (K-2)
Description and Teaching Materials
To activate prior knowledge before your walk have the students sitting on the floor in front of you and ask the question, What does the sun do? Chart the students' ideas. Tell the students they will be going on a walk to notice what the sun does. Walk around outside noticing shadows and reflections in as many different areas as you can. Ask open ended questions such as, What do you notice?, Why do you think that?, What did you expect to find?, How can you explain that? What evidence do you have? Also as you are walking introduce the words shadow and reflection. You may want to learn the words in Spanish for your ESL students. Don't forget to take pictures to use for follow up activities. Back in the classroom put their observation on the bottom of the chart you started at the beginning of the lesson. As you are charting their ideas you may want to highlight the words shadow and reflection Put the date, time and weather conditions at top of the chart so you could do this activity again at another time of day or on a cloudy day. Finish the activity by having the students draw a shadow and reflection picture in their science notebooks.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Remind the children that this is an outdoor learning time and not recess or playtime. You may want to carry a clipboard to jot down some things the children say while on your walk and a list of good inquiry questions. You could follow up by reading the book Shadows and Reflections by Tana Hoban.
Assessment
Observations from the outside walk, our classroom discussion and illustrations in science notebook.
Standards
Kindergarten: 3.Earth and Space Science, 2.Weather can be described in measurable quantities and changes from day to day and within the seasons.0.3.2.2.2 Identify the sun as a source of heat and light.