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.
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.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
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.
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.
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)
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.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 1
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