Year 3 – 4 | I’m So Hot – The Sun

Protecting My Skin full resource download  |  Concept 1: The sun and our skin download

Background

This activity explores the concept of the sun. It is intended to activate students’ prior learning around the sun, ultraviolet
(UV) radiation and sun protection, and build onto their knowledge around these topics. Students view the I’m So Hot video
multiple times and record their ideas onto post-it notes and attach them to a chart. This activity can be completed in small
groups, pairs or as a whole class.

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

Resources

• Post-it notes
• Large poster paper
• Outer Space: “I’m So Hot,” The Sun Song by StoryBots | Netflix Jr
• What Is the Sun?
• Optional: Library books about the sun
• Optional: Facts About the Sun for Kids

Instructions

1. Prior to viewing the video, ask key questions to activate prior knowledge
2. Students may like to take down notes while viewing the video
3. View the video Outer Space: “I’m So Hot,” The Sun Song by StoryBots | Netflix Jr
4. Discuss key points about the sun and information gained from the video
5. Record some of these ideas onto post-it notes
6. Watch the video again and discuss any new information they have learnt
7. Record key points on post-it notes and place them onto a large poster
8. Review post-it notes as a whole class and discuss. Reflect on the information and discuss any areas students would like
   to learn more about.

Key Questions

• What do you know about the sun?
• What are the positive things the sun brings us?
• What are some of the negative things the sun brings us?
• What does the sun produce that is harmful to our skin?
• What is ultraviolet (UV) radiation?
• Why is it important to protect our skin from the UV?
• What are some ways we can protect our skin?