Our Sun: Friend or Foe?-Les.5

Our Sun: Friend or Foe?

Title: Sun Safety for Kids

Grade Levels: 3-4

Subjects: Health, Science, Art

Learner Outcomes:

Students will learn about the dangers of overexposure to the sun.
Students will learn tips for sun safety.
Students will test sunscreen samples using blueprint paper.
Students will create Sun Safety mobiles to remind them how to be safe in the sun.

Duration of Lesson: 1 - 45 minute session

Materials:

Various sunscreen lotions
Blueprint paper/photosensitive paper
sunlight
Clear plastic wrap
Index cards
One cardboard sheet (81/2 x 11)
Handout: "Sun Safety Mobile"

Technology Tools/Courseware:

Internet sites:

Teacher Notes:

One week before lesson, write a note to parents asking them to send in different kinds of sunscreen. Tell parents that these will be returned at the end of the week.
Purchase blueprint paper.

Procedures:

Use "Our Sun: Friend or Foe?" bulletin board.
Review benefits from the sun.
Visit web sites (listed under Technology Tools/Courseware) to read about dangers of the sun.
List dangers of the sun on the bulletin board under the heading: "Our Foe" (skin cancer, interference with radio and television signals, sun stroke, sunburn, etc.)
Discuss how we can protect our skin using sunscreen.
Conduct sunscreen experiment:

"S.O.S. - SAVE OUR SKIN Background:
The earth's stratosphere contains a protective layer made of ozone which shields the earth from excessive ultraviolet radiation from the sun. There is evidence that holes in the ozone layer are forming as a result of both natural (volcanoes, cold air, sea plankton) and human made (Chlorofluorocarbons) sources. Increased ultraviolet radiation can lead to skin cancer and blindness. In this activity, students will investigate the effectiveness of sunscreens.

Team Roles: Recorder, Principal Investigator, Spokesperson, Encourager/Praiser
Level: Elementary / Middle
Time Required: 1 hour
Instructional Strategies: Observing, interpreting data, problem solving, modeling
Materials:

1 cardboard sheet (8"x11") per team
2 index cards per team
clear plastic wrap
clear tape
photosensitive paper (available at some toy stores)
sunlight
a sink or water supply
various sunscreen lotions

Procedure:
Teach an introductory lesson on the ozone layer emphasizing its importance in shielding the earth from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Ask the students what measures can be taken to prevent harm from UV radiation.
Allow each team to sketch out the sunscreens they would like to test on an index card. (For example, top left section = Coppertone 15 SPF, Top right corner = Johnson & Johnson 45 SPF) Be sure to include a "control" spot which receives light and a spot that is completely covered.)
Mount the index card at the bottom of the cardboard sheet.
Mount the photosensitive paper on top of the cardboard sheet, and cover it with clear plastic wrap.
Have teams place their sunscreens on the clear wrap, according to their maps.
Expose the cardboard sheets to sunlight for 1-5 minutes, according to the directions of the particular paper you use.
Rinse paper, allow to dry.
Compare results. Ask, "Which product blocked most of the sunlight? Which blocked the least? Which product would offer the most protection on a hot, summer day?"
Review: "What are steps to take to prevent exposure from UV rays?"

Students will color, cut and assemble "Sun Safety Mobile"

Modifications:

Pair special needs students with more capable students for this activity.

Enrichment Activities:

Allow students to explore Internet sites for sun safety:

Kids' Corner Print and Do Activity: Sun Cards

Evaluation/Assessment:

This lesson will be evaluated by teacher observation and assessment of students working in cooperative groups to complete all steps of sunscreen experiment.

State IGOs:

Science--3.1, 3.2, 3.6, 3.9, 3.10, 3.12, 3.17, 3.27, 3.29, 3.31, 3.34, 4.1, 4.5, 4.6, 4.9, 4.10, 4.13, 4.17, 4.21, 4.22, 4.27, 4.28.
Art--3.1, 3.2, 3.10, 3.13, 4.10, 4.12, 4.13, 4.23.
Health--3.1, 3.6, 3.18, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.14.

National Standards

References:

Authors:

Brenda Bleigh-bbleigh@access.k12.wv.us
Sandy Post-spost@access.k12.wv.us
Debbie Smith-dasmith@access.k12.wv.us
Burnsville Elementary School