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Sun/Stars

Sun/Stars

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to observe and record changes in the appearance of objects in the sky such as clouds, the Moon, and stars, including the Sun.


Essential Understanding

The student knows that the natural world includes the air around us and objects in the sky.

Science Background

Solar System Exploration, Sun: NASA (website) - The Sun is a hot ball of glowing gases at the center of our solar system. Learn more about our very own star with information, images, and facts about the Sun and our solar system.

Solar System Exploration, Sun
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Sun: StarDate (website) - The Sun undergoes constant changes that take place over minutes, days, or even decades or millions of years. Navigate this website to discover more about our amazing star.

Sun
The University of Texas McDonald Observatory, StarDate, stardate.org

The Sun: NASA, Starchild (website) - The Sun is our closest star. It spins slowly on its axis while revolving around the gravitational center of our galaxy. Learn more about our Sun by exploring the information and links available on this website.

The Sun
NASA, Starchild, starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov

Signature Lesson

The Sun: Eye of the Sky (website) - Observe and record changes in the Sun’s appearance from day to day, and use literature connections and a “KWL” chart to discover basic facts about the Sun.

The Sun
Eye of the Sky, www.eyeonthesky.org

Supporting Lessons

Our Very Own Star, the Sun: NASA (PDF) - Children’s storybook tells the story of the Sun. Easy-to-understand text and graphics make it a useful classroom tool for younger students.

Our Very Own Star, the Sun
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Star Art: NASA, Starchild (website) - Students learn to recognize the observable patterns of stars in the sky, understand that there are more stars in the sky than anyone can count, and recognize that stars are not evenly distributed throughout the sky.

Star Art
NASA, Starchild, starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Sun As A Star: NASA (PDF) - Collection of activities from NASA and the American Museum of Natural History about the properties and benefits of the Sun.

Sun As A Star
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Assessment Ideas

Our Star, the Sun Lithograph: NASA (PDF) - Show students the Sun images on the lithograph. Ask them to verbally identify two or three facts about the Sun (see page two of PDF for many Sun facts), including the fact that the Sun provides all of Earth’s light and heat energy.

Our Star, the Sun Lithograph
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Next, assess students’ understanding of key concepts by asking the following questions.

  • Is the Sun a star? (yes)
  • Does our Sun give us light energy? (yes)
  • Does our Sun give us heat energy? (yes)
  • Could humans live on Earth if we did not receive light and heat energy from the Sun? (no)

Literature Connections

The Sun. Seymour, Simon (ISBN: 0688092365)

The Sun Our Nearest Star. Branley, Franklin (ISBN: 0064452026)

Sun Up, Sun Down. Gibbons, Gail (ISBN: 015282782X)

Sun. Vogt, Gregory L. (ISBN: 0736888926)

The Sun is my Favorite Star. Asch, Frank (ISBN: 0152063978)

Related Science TEKS

(1.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to recognize and demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including wearing safety goggles, washing hands, and using materials appropriately.

(1.1B) Importance of Safe Practices
The student is expected to recognize the importance of safe practices to keep self and others safe and healthy.

(1.1C) Recycling/Disposal of Science Materials
The student is expected to identify and learn how to use natural resources and materials, including conservation and reuse or recycling of paper, plastic, and metals.

(1.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.

(1.2B) Plan and Conduct Descriptive Investigations
The student is expected to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations such as ways objects move.

(1.2C) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data and make observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, and non-standard measurement tools.

(1.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words.

(1.2E) Communicate Observations
The student is expected to communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations.

(1.3A) Identify, Explain and Propose a Solution to a Problem
The student is expected to identify and explain a problem such as finding a home for a classroom pet and propose a solution in his/her own words.

(1.3B) Make Predictions
The student is expected to make predictions based on observable patterns.

(1.3C) Explore Scientists
The student is expected to describe what scientists do.

(1.4A) Tools for Collecting Information
The student is expected to collect information using tools, including computers, hand lenses, primary balances, cups, bowls, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and timers; non-standard measuring items such as paper clips and clothespins; weather instruments such as demonstration thermometers and wind socks; and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

(1.4B) Non-Standard Measurement Units
The student is expected to measure organisms and objects and parts of organisms and objects, using non-standard units.

Related Math TEKS

1.7F     The student is expected to compare and order two or more objects according to weight/mass (from heaviest to lightest).

1.8A    The student is expected to order three or more events according to duration.

1.9A    The student is expected to collect and sort data.

1.9B     The student is expected to use organized data to construct real object graphs, picture graphs, and bar-type graphs.

1.11B   The student is expected to solve problems with guidance that incorporates the processes of understanding the problem, making a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the solution for reasonableness.

1.11C   The student is expected to select or develop an appropriate problem-solving plan or strategy including drawing a picture, looking for a pattern, systematic guessing and checking, or acting it out in order to solve a problem.

1.11D  The student is expected to use tools such as real objects, manipulatives, and technology to solve problems.

1.12A  The student is expected to explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

1.13A  The student is expected to justify his or her thinking using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

Additional Resources

Modeling the Solar System: NASA (PDF) - Create a human model of our solar system, focusing on the Sun as the center of the solar system, with eight planets revolving around it, and moons revolving around most of those planets.

Modeling the Solar System
NASA, www.nasa.gov

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