K-6 Science for the Next Generation

Lesson Plans
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

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.

Go to the Lesson

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.

Video thumbnail

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.

Video thumbnail

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.

Assessment thumbnail

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.

Assessment thumbnail

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.

Try the Quiz
Assessment thumbnail

Custom Subscription Plan

Please reach out to your dedicated support agent to make changes to your custom subscription plan.

Free Usage Limit Reached!

You have reached the usage limit under a free subscription. 
This will reset in 1 hour. 
Please try again later, or consider upgrading your account. Thanks!

Password Reset Successfully!

You are now signed in to NGScience. Enjoy!

Reset Password

Enter the email address associated with your account.

Subscription Update Error

There was an error updating the subscription.

Subscription Updated

Your subscription was successfully updated. Enjoy!

Insufficient Privelages

You are not authorized to make changes to the subscription plan of this account. 
Please contact the appropriate administrator.

Manage Subscription

Prices are in US Dollars.

Free

  • Limited daily access
  • 10% off all eBook purchases

Home

  • Unlimited and unrestricted access
  • Printable assessments with answer keys
  • 20% off all eBook purchases
  • Email support

Classroom

  • Unlimited and unrestricted access
  • Printable assessments with answer keys
  • 30% off all eBook purchases
  • Email support

School

  • Unlimited and unrestricted access
  • Printable assessments with answer keys
  • 40% off all eBook purchases
  • Dedicated support agent

Sign In

Account Limit Reached!

Your account does not have any available slots remaining to add a new user.

You can:
• remove and existing user to free up a slot.
• upgrade your plan or contact us.

Remove User

You are about to remove the following users accounts:

THIS CANNOT BE UNDONE

Registration Complete!

You are now signed in to NGScience. Enjoy!

Create an Account

Enter your email to create a free account with NG Science.

or

Activity Complete

Try again for a perfect score