Solar Energy
Supporting
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to describe and illustrate the continuous movement of water above and on the surface of Earth through the water cycle and explain the role of the Sun as a major source of energy in this process.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among the Sun, Earth, and Moon system.
Science Background
The Water Cycle: US Geological Survey (website) - Graphic illustrates the water cycle and how it is driven by energy from the Sun. Includes links to detailed information about all aspects of the water cycle.
The Water Cycle
US Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science for Schools, water.usgs.gov/edu
Signature Lesson
Mini Water Cycle: ABC Science Online (PDF) - Students observe the water cycle in action inside a mini solar still, describe their observations, and then illustrate the cycle (see assessment).
Mini Water Cycle
ABC Science Online, www.abc.net.au
Using Heat from the Sun: BioEd Online (website) - Students observe and describe how energy from sunlight can heat water, and explain the role of the Sun in Earth’s water cycle.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Build a Model of the Water Cycle: Oceans Alive (website) - Students identify the elements of the water cycle and learn that the sun is the source of energy driving the water cycle.
Build a Model of the Water Cycle
Oceans Alive, Museum of Science, www.mos.org
What is the Water Cycle? BioEd Online (website and video) - Students build, observe and discuss a simple model of the water cycle. Teacher background information included.
What is the Water Cycle?
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org
Watch science educator, Barbara Tharp, explain how to teach this lesson.
What is the Water Cycle? - Related Video
K8 Science, www.k8science.org
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Greenhouse S’mores: BioEd Online (website) - Students identify the sun as a source of energy and learn that different materials absorb and trap heat differently.
Assessment Ideas
Have students write a paragraph about what they think would happen to the water cycle on Earth if the Sun were to disappear, and why.
Literature Connections
Solar Power. Benduhn, T. (ISBN: 978-0836893625)
The Sun. Bourgeois, Paulette (ISBN-13: 978-0670872077)
Drip! Drop! How Water Gets to Your Tap. Seuling, Barbara (ISBN-13: 978-0823414598)
A Drop Around the World. Shaw-McKinney, Barbara (ISBN-13: 978-1883220723)
Water, Water Everywhere. Rauzon MJ and Overbeck-Bix C. (ISBN-13: 978-0871563835)
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain. Aardema, Verna (ISBN-13: 978-0140546163)
El Ciclo del Agua/The Water Cycle. Frost, Helen [Author] and Guzman Ferrer, Martin Luis [Translator] (ISBN-13: 978-0736823142)
Global Warming: The Threat of Earth’s Changing Climate. Pringle, Lawrence (ISBN-13: 978-1587170096)
Additional Resources
All About the Sun: Stanford Solar Center (PDF) - Use this curriculum guide that offers several lessons to explore the effects of the Sun on the Earth. Background information and reading passages are provided as well as student activity sheets. (Focus on “Evaporation: How Fast?” starting on page 13.)
All About the Sun
Stanford Solar Center, solar-center.stanford.edu
Sun-Earth Viewer: NASA (website) - Interactive tool with images, illustrations, video “visualizations” and accompanying text covering many topics related to the Sun and Earth’s atmosphere.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 4
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