I forgot to include a lesson about the Sun when I initially built the unit, but the Sun is a pretty key player in Weather. Arguably, THE key player. It all starts with the Sun.
Scientist You Should Know
Alo Tapim is a Torres Strait Island elder. According to Cosmos, “In the eastern Torres Strait, Meriam elders teach us how you can observe the twinkling stars to forecast weather and predict seasonal change.” and the Indigenous Knowledge Institute says, “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are keen observers of the night sky, having detailed knowledge systems built around the Sun, Moon, and planets visible to the eye (as a distance from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn).”
photo credit: https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/mabo-day-on-murray-island-5-questions-with-alo-tapim/n6t1z95aj#What%20Is%20Your%20Connection%20with%20Murray%20Island?
Introduction to the topic
(Remember that you can skip these verbal introductions for learners who don’t use words. But, adult learners can use the videos to enhance our understandings.)
Here’s Squeak the Mouse again:
I enjoy the Storybots, myself.
There are a gazillion different ways for more verbal and analytical learners to ask about and learn what’s considered “known” about the Sun. Here are just a few:
Experiencing the science
There are a lot of different ways to experience the sun. Just feeling it on our arms on hot days, feeling hot pavement, maybe try building a sundial.
This one is a good idea if you’re planning to do any gardening. Plus, it supports the Blossom and Root Outdoor Laboratory Classroom exploration (I did Blossom and Root with my (then) Kindergartener and loved it).
https://www.treehugger.com/how-make-sun-map-your-garden-4868783
Making sun tea and building a solar oven are some other good demonstrations. There are lots of instructions for these things available, as well as lots of stuff you can purchase. I had a colleague who used pizza boxes, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. Here is the DIY solar oven I’m trying (I’m a WIRED magazine enthusiast).
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-build-a-solar-oven/
Feel free to go off on a solar power tangent.
Responding/Synthesizing/Analyzing
Multisensory
Can we try catching something on fire with a magnifying glass? Is that safe? We can make it safe. Don’t do it on a dry or windy day. Use a glass or metal bowl to hold the flame. Use good fire safety.
Let’s find a spot to sit or lay down that has part shade and part sun. Let’s feel the difference on our skin where the sun hits and where we soak it up from beneath.
Can we hear or smell or taste the sun? The solar powered oven can be manipulated to make smell. Maybe with essential oils or herbs to magnify the effect. What else?
What the…. Take a listen to this!
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/sounds-of-the-sun
Creative
Let’s do those sun prints, y’all. Try them different ways. Do an experiment with sunscreen. Consider the elements of art and the principles of design to STEAM it up and make something beautiful for your room.
Verbal
Hey, this is neat! Look at some data and information about solar eclipses.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2023/sun/nasa-releases-new-solar-eclipse-educational-materials
Analytical
The Skeptical Science webpage (which looks dubious but which has been recommended here) has a bunch of data about sun and climate.
https://skepticalscience.com/solar-activity-sunspots-global-warming.htm
See if you can double check primary sources while you contemplate the idea that our current increase in global temperature is caused by an increase in solar output.
Here’s some more fun data (if you, like I do, think data are fun):
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-incoming-sunlight