KS2 Sun Care Unit (Sun Fun, More Sun Fun)
Introduction
This section covers several aspects of KS2 Science and Personal, Social and Health Education syllabuses. The intention is to provide online content and activities for pupils, along with additional teacher support in the form of suggestions and ideas for classroom work and downloadable activity sheets.
The pupil content begins with an introduction on the basic facts about the Sun, the need for sunlight and leads to information about sun protection and staying safe in the Sun.
The content and structure of the unit has been designed to complement the National Curriculum for England and Wales and the DFES Schemes of Work. This flexible approach enables teachers to direct pupils to key content relevant to their teaching approaches but also, introduce pupils to new topics and extending activities for both online and offline work.
Curriculum references
National Curriculum
KS2 Science: Sc2 Life processes and living things
Green plants
3. Pupils should be taught:
Growth and nutrition
a) the effect of light, air, water and temperature on plant growth
KS2 Science: Sc4 Physical processes
Light and sound
3. Pupils should be taught:
Everyday effects of light
a) that light travels from a source
The Earth and beyond
4. Pupils should be taught:
Periodic changes
b) how the position of the Sun appears to change during the day, and how shadows change as this happens
c) how day and night are related to the spin of the Earth on its own axis
d) that the Earth orbits the Sun once each year, and that the Moon takes approximately 28 days to orbit the Earth.
KS2 Science Breadth of study
Health and safety
2. During the key stage, pupils should be taught to:
b) recognise that there are hazards in living things, materials and physical processes, and assess risks and take action to reduce risks to themselves and others.
KS2 PSHE Knowledge, skills and understanding
Developing a healthy, safer lifestyle
3. Pupils should be taught:
a) what makes a healthy lifestyle, including the benefits of exercise and healthy eating, what affects mental health, and how to make informed choices.
DFES Standards Schemes of Work
- KS2 Science Year 3 Unit 3B Helping plants grow well
- KS2 Science Year 3 Unit 3F Light and shadows
- KS2 Science Year 5 Unit 5B Life cycles
- KS2 Science Year 5 Unit 5E Earth, Sun and Moon
- KS2 Science Year 6 Unit 6A Interdependence and adaptation
Classroom Applications
Unit A Sun is Fun!
This section is a question and answer game to reveal a picture. The multiple choice questions relate to skin sensitivity, hours of sunlight and seasons, plants need for sunlight, sun protection and dehydration.
Learning outcomes
- To identify the need for sun light, relating to humans, animals and plants.
- To recognise ways to stay safe in the Sun.
- Understand the need for sun protection.
Extension work
Tasks involving survey of hours spent in the Sun, by Carrie, leading to questions and task to draw a bar chart/pictogram.
Unit B Disappearing Sun Block is Fun!
This section has a timer to challenge the older pupil to complete the tasks more quickly.
Learning outcomes
- To identify children wearing sun block and understand the need to always wear sun block in the Sun.
Extension work
Carrie Copper Guide to Sun Protection Factors
Information about sunscreens and problem-solving tasks related to sun exposure and SPFs.
Count the Colours with Carrie Copper
Finding the percentages of sunbathers using sun protection and similar problem-solving tasks.
Useful web links
Information on sun care and key sun products are available at:
New Suncare Tips Leaflet
Things you and your children should know and do about sun
Suncare Tips leaflet (PDF 92k)
HEA guidelines PDF
The use of sunscreens in schools: A good practice guide (PDF 92k)
Cancer Research UK is one of the world's leading cancer research organisations. For information on cancer visit their web site at:
The Met Office monitors the the UV Solar forecast for the UK and Europe, as well as real time UV data. This information is available at:
Downloads
Pupil Section Exe Files
These are versions of the pupil material for this topic that you can download and use offline. Simply save the .exe file to your desktop and double-click it.
Sun Fun
More Sun Fun
PDF files
Carrie Copper Guide to sun protection factors
Count the colours with Carrie Copper
Letter to Parents containing general advice about sun care
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