Unit Rationale
This unit entitled “The Sun” is designed for 4th grade. The unit will integrate many academic disciplines while teaching students about the sun with specifics such as shadows, the benefits and affects of sunlight, and the sun as a star.
Students will do a variety of activities to enhance their learning. First, the students will explore an introduction to the sun as a star. The students will develop a knowledge of this first topic through researching information on the sun and how it is the core of the solar system. Next, students will explore the reasons why the sun is important to Earth. Then, students will learn about the need for sun light on earth, demonstrating their new knowledge through an inquiry about the suns heat on soil versus water. Next, students will display their knowledge of how the sun can help tell time by making and using a sundial. Finally, students will learn the harmful affects of the sun through an inquiry using sun sensitive beads.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards,
Subject area-3: Science and technology and Engineering Education
Standard Area: Biological Sciences
S4.A.2.1 Apply skills necessary to conduct an experiment or design a solution to a solve a problem.
S4.A.1.3.1: Observe and record change by using time and measurement.
S4.A.2.1.2: Design and describe an investigation (a fair test) to test one variable.
Subject area: 10 Health, Safety, and Physical Education
Standard area: 10.1 Concepts of Health
10.2.3.E: Identify environmental factors that affect health.
Organizing Category-3.4 E: The Designed World
Grade level-3.4.4E: Grade 4
Anchor Descriptor- S4.A.1.3 Recognize and describe change in natural or human-made systems and the possible effects of those changes.
S4.A.1.3.2. Describe relative size, distance, or motion
S4.A.1.3.3 Observe and describe the change to objects caused by temperature change or light
the students will be producing works of art, speaking and listening during discussions, applying process knowledge that enables them to become independent leaders through inquiry and design, and study the dynamics of earth science, which includes how the sun is the core of our solar system and how it supports life on earth.
When the unit is complete, the students will be able to describe why the sun is important to Earth, how we can use shadows to tell time, facts about the sun as a star, the need of sunlight on Earth, and describe the benefits and harmful affects of the suns rays. This content is key in a student’s ability to understand, explore, and explain the natural world around them.
Students will do a variety of activities to enhance their learning. First, the students will explore an introduction to the sun as a star. The students will develop a knowledge of this first topic through researching information on the sun and how it is the core of the solar system. Next, students will explore the reasons why the sun is important to Earth. Then, students will learn about the need for sun light on earth, demonstrating their new knowledge through an inquiry about the suns heat on soil versus water. Next, students will display their knowledge of how the sun can help tell time by making and using a sundial. Finally, students will learn the harmful affects of the sun through an inquiry using sun sensitive beads.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards,
Subject area-3: Science and technology and Engineering Education
Standard Area: Biological Sciences
S4.A.2.1 Apply skills necessary to conduct an experiment or design a solution to a solve a problem.
S4.A.1.3.1: Observe and record change by using time and measurement.
S4.A.2.1.2: Design and describe an investigation (a fair test) to test one variable.
Subject area: 10 Health, Safety, and Physical Education
Standard area: 10.1 Concepts of Health
10.2.3.E: Identify environmental factors that affect health.
Organizing Category-3.4 E: The Designed World
Grade level-3.4.4E: Grade 4
Anchor Descriptor- S4.A.1.3 Recognize and describe change in natural or human-made systems and the possible effects of those changes.
S4.A.1.3.2. Describe relative size, distance, or motion
S4.A.1.3.3 Observe and describe the change to objects caused by temperature change or light
the students will be producing works of art, speaking and listening during discussions, applying process knowledge that enables them to become independent leaders through inquiry and design, and study the dynamics of earth science, which includes how the sun is the core of our solar system and how it supports life on earth.
When the unit is complete, the students will be able to describe why the sun is important to Earth, how we can use shadows to tell time, facts about the sun as a star, the need of sunlight on Earth, and describe the benefits and harmful affects of the suns rays. This content is key in a student’s ability to understand, explore, and explain the natural world around them.