Units 3: Seasons.(science)(Brief Article)

Background Information

Doctors warn us that too much sun is dangerous! Share the sun-safety tips with students. Have students make posters illustrating one or more of the safety tips.

Protect Yourself from the Sun's Harmful Rays

1. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. Apply it again after swimming.

2. The sun's rays are strongest between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Try to stay indoors during that time.

3. Wear clothing that protects you from the sun. Wear long sleeves and a hat.

 
                  Unit Concepts: Students learn that 
                  the sun heats water and soil at 
                  different rates, that Earth's 
                  rotation causes day and night, that 
                  seasons are caused by the tilt of 
                  Earth, and that light colors 
                  reflect the sun's heat and dark 
                  colors absorb the sun's heat. 
 
                  The activities listed below suggest 
                  ways of presenting and enriching 
                  the content and skills in Unit 3. 
                  The activities correspond to days 
                  12 through 16 on the page 2 
                  calendar matrix. 
 
                  DANGER! SUMMER SUN 
 
                  Begin the unit by asking children 
                  to suggest ways of spending summer 
                  days outside without getting too 
                  much sun. Have students read and 
                  discuss pages 18 and 19 and conduct 
                  the experiment. Each student should 
                  write his or her own personal 
                  conclusions in the space provided. 
 
                  WHAT CAUSES DAY AND NIGHT? 
 
                  Have students read and discuss 
                  pages 20 and 21 and conduct the 
                  experiments. 
Reasearching      Enrichment. Have students work in 
                  small groups and research the night 
                  and day cycles of other planets. 
 
                  EARTH'S TILT BRINGS A CHANGE OF 
                  SEASONS! 
 
                  Have students read pages 22 and 23 
                  ...