Year 1-2 | The Mighty Sun

Protecting My Skin full resource download  |  Concept 1: The Sun and Our Skin download

Background

The Mighty Sun lesson can be used as a follow-on activity to the KWL Chart lesson or can completed as an independent
activity. The activity explores the sun and what it produces, creating an awareness of how the sun impacts on our daily
lives. It is aimed at developing an understanding that the sun produces three main types of radiation, and that UV
radiation is invisible, we cannot feel or see it. Students draw a diagram of the sun, demonstrating their understanding
of what the sun produces.

Key Messages

• The sun produces heat that we can feel and light that we can see.
• The sun produces ultraviolet (UV) radiation that we cannot see or feel.
• The sun produces UVA (skin damage/skin cancer, aging, wrinkles), UVB (sunburn, skin cancer) and UVC (doesn’t reach earth).
• A sunburn is a radiation burn from the sun. The sun produces UV radiation that causes damage to the skin.
• When the UV Index is 3 or above, sun protection is required.
• UV and heat are different. It is not only when it is hot that we need to use sun protection.
• UV radiation can bounce and reflect off surfaces, so it is important to use a combination of sun protection.
• There are 5 strategies to protect your skin from the sun: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.

Resources

• YouTube Video – Ultraviolet Rays | How Harmful Are UV Rays
• YouTube Video – What is the Sun?
• A3 plain paper or scrapbook
• Resource sheet: How UV Affects the Skin

Instructions

1. Prior learning discussion. Ask some key questions.
2. Watch YouTube Video – Ultraviolet Rays | How Harmful Are UV Rays
3. Discussion about video and the 3 main things that the sun produces/emits.
4. Demonstrate and draw a diagram of the sun.
5. Students draw their own diagram of the sun demonstrating light, heat and UV rays.
6. Students label their diagram to further show their understanding.

Key questions

• Why is the sun so important?
• What does the sun provide us?
• What does the sun produce that is harmful to our skin?
• Why is it important to protect our skin?
• What are some ways we can protect our skin?