Michele L. Murzak
Why is it important to understand how the Sun affects our lives? What is Earth's relationship to the Sun? These questions are the purpose of my curricular unit. Through my knowledge and experiences in this seminar, I will answer these questions and much more.
According to one of New Haven Public Schools science curriculum standards, students must recognize fundamental concepts about changes in the environment and the effects of the environmental change on the earth and its resources. In third grade, students study the solar system. This unit will touch upon the science standards and the third grade unit. The principal objective of this unit is to have creative, critical thinkers who are able to understand the relationship between the Earth and the Sun. This unit will provide elementary school teachers with hands-on activities that will integrate science, mathematics, language arts, and art.
In the third grade science curriculum, students learn about the solar system. Students study the basics. They learn about the sun and the planets and their position in the solar system. I have noticed that students do not know very much about the Sun. Students will draw or tell you that it is "yellow and hot." Therefore, it is important that students learn about the Sun and its relationship to us on Earth. Students need to know about this in the "real world." Students must understand their environment and how to take care of it. We will explore the Sun and the Earth and relate it to real life situations.
