Begin with a captivating discussion about the night sky, asking students what they notice when they look up at the stars. Introduce the concept of stars as gigantic balls of hot, glowing gases.
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Our Own Star – The Sun
Learning Objectives
- Understand that stars are gigantic balls of hot, glowing gases, and the Sun is an example of a star.
- Recognize that the Sun is the closest star to Earth and provides light and warmth essential for life.
- Compare the distances of celestial bodies, such as the Moon and the Sun, from Earth to understand their relative distances.
Introduction and Hook
Show an image of the Sun and explain that it is the closest star to Earth, providing essential light and warmth.
Direct Instruction
Explain the importance of the Sun in our solar system, emphasizing its role in supporting life on Earth.
Use the video 'Heat and Light from the Sun' to illustrate how the Sun provides essential light and heat, supporting life through photosynthesis and warmth.
Guided Exploration
Engage students with the video 'Life on Earth – The Habitable Zone' to explore Earth's unique position in the solar system that allows it to support life.
Discuss the relative distances of celestial bodies, such as the Moon and the Sun, from Earth to understand their scale and distance.
Hands-On Activity
Conduct the 'Modeling the Movement of Earth' activity where students use a basketball and flashlight to simulate Earth's rotation and revolution.
Independent Practice
Encourage students to observe the Sun's position in the sky at different times of the day and record their findings.
Check for Understanding
Use the 'Our Very Own Star' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of the Sun's characteristics and its distance from Earth.
Review and Reflection
Reflect on the importance of the Sun in our daily lives and discuss how life on Earth would be different without it.
Assessment and Extension
Conclude with the 'Review – Earth and Space' assessment to reinforce learning and assess comprehension of key concepts.
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