Grade Level: Kindergarten – 1st Grade | Duration: 50 minutes
This hands-on mathematics and science integration lesson uses a creative craft activity to teach foundational math skills while introducing students to the concept of solar energy as Earth’s primary power source. The lesson aligns with multiple Alabama College and Career Ready Mathematics Standards, including operations and algebraic thinking (addition/subtraction up to 10 or 20), pattern recognition and extension, measurement and comparison of attributes, and geometric shape modeling.
Learning Objectives
Students will apply mathematical concepts including addition, subtraction, and simple patterns to construct a three-dimensional model of the sun. Through this process, they’ll develop understanding that the sun contains energy and learn how solar energy supplies power for all life on Earth, from the food chain to weather systems and human technology.
Background & Context
The lesson provides age-appropriate background on solar energy as light and heat from the sun’s rays. Students learn that the sun is the primary source of all energy on Earth, radiating heat and light that drives the water cycle, enables plant photosynthesis (which feeds all animals), created fossil fuels millions of years ago, and generates winds and ocean currents. The material explains how humans harvest solar energy for heating/cooling buildings, generating electricity through solar thermal power towers, and powering small devices like calculators and weather stations using photovoltaic cells.
Activities & Structure
Engage Phase (10 minutes) – “Make it active!”
Students participate in kinesthetic learning by standing and jogging in place while counting aloud to 10 (Kindergarten) or 20 (1st grade), directly experiencing the concept of energy expenditure. This leads to guided discussion with open-ended questions about where their exercise energy came from and what other things need fuel. The teacher shows images of various energy-consuming items (vehicles, growing plants, water wheels, campfires, gas stoves, windmills) and guides students to recognize that all of these ultimately trace back to the sun’s energy.
Explore Phase (35 minutes) – “Create it!”
Students work in pairs to create decorative “suns stuffed with energy” through a multi-step craft process:
- Each pair receives 2 small paper plates to color or paint on the bottom (encouraging creative interpretation of the sun’s appearance)
- Students receive a mixed pile of pre-cut construction paper sun rays in varying lengths
- For Kindergartners : Select 5 long and 5 short rays (10 total) and arrange them in an alternating short-long pattern
- For 1st graders: Select 10 long and 10 short rays (20 total) and create the alternating pattern
- The challenge includes extra rays of various lengths requiring students to add/subtract to determine the correct quantities
- Students staple the rays between the two plates in their pattern, leaving an opening at the top
- The sun models are “stuffed with energy” using old newspaper or recycled shredded paper (emphasizing reuse of materials)
- A hole is punched through both plates at the top and string is threaded through for hanging
- Completed suns are displayed around the classroom
Evaluate Phase (5 minutes) – “See what we learned!”
The teacher creates a numbered list on the board (1-10 for Kindergarten, 1-20 for 1st grade). Students recall and identify different things on Earth that use the sun’s rays for energy, demonstrating comprehension of the lesson’s core scientific concept while reinforcing counting skills.
Materials Included
For each pair of students:
- 2 small paper plates
- Construction paper sun rays pre-cut by teacher: 5 short + 5 long (K) or 10 short + 10 long (1st grade)
- Extra rays of various lengths for differentiation challenge
- Crayons, markers, or paint
- Staplers and staples
- Old newspaper or recycled shredded paper for stuffing
- Single hole puncher
- String for hanging
This lesson successfully combines tactile learning, mathematical reasoning, pattern recognition, and environmental science concepts, creating a memorable learning experience that connects abstract math standards to the tangible concept of solar energy while producing a visual classroom decoration that reinforces the learning.
Resources & Downloads
Counting Rays and Stuffing Suns with Energy
A PDF file containing everything you need for this lesson.
PDF Document