These students will understand basic relationships between the sun and earth. They will learn that the sun is the source of energy and light and that it warms the land, air, and water. Students will also be able to identify in which direction the sun rises and sets. (VA SOL 1.6)
Texts
The Sun: Our Nearest Star
By: Franklyn M. Branley and Edward Miller
This is a great educational book for younger children. The pictures keep children interested and the content within is simple and informative. There is information on the sun’s distance as well as energy that it provides.
The Sun is My Favorite Star
By: Frank Asch
This book follows the sun throughout the course of the day. The narrator discusses the sun’s location and mentions how shadows form. This book is also good for young children because the content is simple and the narrator is a young child as well.
The Sun
By: Seymour Simon
The best part about this book is the pictures. These amazing detailed images give students the real thing and it provides them with more of an appreciation for how amazing the sun is compared to a drawing.
Sun Up, Sun Down
By: Gail Gibbons
This is a very simple book that provides basic information. I would recommend using this book at the beginning of the lesson due to its simplicity.
Done in the Sun: Solar Projects for Children
By: Anne Hillerman
Illustrated by Mina Yamashita
This book is different from the others because it contains hands on activities for students regarding solar energy. It is neat because these experiments and activities in the book can be completed in the classroom or at home.
Web Annotations
Astronomy For Kids
This website has animations and games designed for students. They will be able to see the sun in relationship to the earth and moon.
Energy From The Sun
This website contains three different activities that students can do in class with simple materials.
Jobs of the Sun
This link contains instructions on how to create a chart to show how the sun provides different uses for us as people.
Solar Hot Dog Cooker
This link provides pictures and instructions on how to use the suns energy to create a solar oven to cook hot dogs with.
Resources for Teachers
Graphing Sunspot Cycles
A lesson plan examining Sunspot cycles
Sun Books
Instructions on how to make flip books on the earth and sun
Sun Photos
Compare and contrast pictures of the sun over different periods of time