Year 1 – 2 | My Day Across the UV Index

Protecting My Skin full resource download  |  Concept 2: Heat and UV from the sun: What’s the difference? download

Background

The story ‘Today’s Sun’ by Gregg Dreise demonstrates the journey of the sun from sun rise to sunset. It describes the
strength of the sun similar to that of the UV Index throughout the day. Students can complete a think pair share of the
things they do throughout the day and map these events along the UV Index scale. A read out loud version of the
story is available online.

Key messages

• We often check the weather forecast, but it is important to check the daily UV Index to protect our skin.
• When the UV Index is 3 or above, sun protection is required.
• UV radiation is invisible, you cannot see it or feel it.
• UV and heat are different. We do not only need to use sun protection when it is hot.
• The UV Index is an open-ended numerical scale that measures the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface.
• When UV levels are at their peak, minimise time outdoors during these times.

Resources

• Today’s Sun by Gregg Dreise
• How to read the daily UV forecast
• Activity sheet: My Day Across the UV Index

Instructions

1. Read the story and discuss the movement of the sun throughout the day. Ask some key questions.
2. Provide students with My Day Across the UV Index activity sheet. Colour or black and white version.
3. Black and white version: colour in the UV Index chart. 1-3 in green, 3-6 yellow, 6-8 orange, 8-11 red and 11 up to
   20 in purple.
4. Look at the How to Read the UV Index Poster, interpret and discuss each section carefully.
5. Refer to story, plot and link the daily activities in story to the UV chart across the day.
6. Complete a think, pair, share of some of the activities students do across the day and draw in the spaces provided on
   the My Day Across the UV Index activity sheet.
7. Discuss how the UV Index impacts on our day-to-day activities and ask key questions about how to protect ourselves
   from UV radiation when the UV Index is 3 and above.

Key questions

• What time of the day is the sun the strongest?
• What do you think the UV Index was in the morning?
• What do you think the UV Index was in the evening?
• Do you think it is a good idea to go out in the sun in the middle of day?
• What does the UV Index tell us?
• When is it the best time of the day to play outside?
• If you are outside in the middle of the day, what do you need to do?