Year 3 – 4 | Why Should You Wear Sunscreen?

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

Background

The aim of this lesson is to increase student knowledge around sunscreen and why it is an important step towards
protecting their skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Students brainstorm reasons why it is important to wear sunscreen,
analyse the video and summarise the findings using the ‘give me the gist’ summary method. An activity sheet and questions
are provided to guide their analysis.

Key messages

• Best sun protection practices are using a combination of Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.
• It is important to seek information about sunscreen from credible sources.
• Broad spectrum sunscreen offers the best protection because it protects the skin from both UVA and UVB radiation.
• Apply sunscreen generously, layer it and do not rub it in.
• Choose a sunscreen that is SPF50 or SPF50+ broad-spectrum and water-resistant with a valid expiry.
• Measuring 1 teaspoon of sunscreen per limb, apply to clean and dry skin 20 mins before going outdoors and reapply
  every 2 hours or more if sweating, towel drying or swimming.
• Sunscreen is made up of active ingredients that protect from UV radiation and the emulsion helps with binding
  to the skin.
• Sunscreen works in two ways: scattering and/or absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation to help stop it from reaching
  the skin.
• UV reflectors are mostly made up of oxides such as zinc that scatter and reflect UV radiation.
• Emulsion is the lotion, cream or foam that carries the active ingredients and helps with water resistance.
• Sunscreen does not provide 100% protection from UV radiation.

Resources

• Activity sheet: Why Should You Wear Sunscreen?
• Correct sunscreen application poster
• Top tips for sunscreen use
• Why Should You Wear Sunscreen?
• Resource sheet: How Sunscreen Works
• Why do we have to wear sunscreen?

Instructions

1. Begin the lesson by activating students’ prior knowledge about sunscreen. Ask some key questions.
2. Distribute activity sheet and then explain task.
3. Watch Why Should You Wear Sunscreen? video and take down some notes using the questions as a guide.
4. Whole class discussion about the video and notes students have written down.
5. Replay the video and add any further information.
6. Students use the activity sheet to summarise the findings from the video.
7. Present the summary to the class.

Key questions

• What is sunscreen used for?
• Why is sunscreen important to use?
• What is the best way to apply sunscreen? What is recommended?
• How does sunscreen work?
• What does broad-spectrum mean?