Sun and Water Cycle

Our next unit of study is the Sun and Water Cycle. Take a closer look!

TEKS 3.8B: The student is expected to describe and illustrate the Sun as a star composed of gases which provides light and heat energy for the water cycle.

Key Concepts:

• The Sun, like all stars, is made up of gases.
• The Sun produces light and heat energy.
• The Sun is the source of energy for the water cycle.

Dissecting the TEKS Language:

• The Verbs: What should students be doing?
• Describe: to give an account of in words; to tell what something is like
• Illustrate: to make clear or intelligible using examples or analogies
• The Nouns: What concrete words should students know?
• Sun: the star in the center of our solar system, provides heat and light energy to Earth
• Heat: thermal energy
• Light: energy of a wavelength that is visible
• Water Cycle: the continuous movement of water in, on, and above the Earth’s surface
• Energy: the ability to do work

Essential Questions:

• What is the Sun?
• What makes up the Sun?
• Where is the Sun located?
• Why is the Sun important to the Earth?
• What does the Sun provide us?
• Imagine that the Sun went away. How would the Earth change?
• How can you protect yourself from the Sun?

Websites to help you out:

http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycle-kids.html
http://www.kidzone.ws/water/index.html