SC.8.E.5.6

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Create models of solar properties including: rotation, structure of the Sun, convection, sunspots, solar flares, and prominences.
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 8
Body of Knowledge: Earth and Space Science
Idea: Level 1: Recall
Big Idea: Earth in Space and Time - The origin and eventual fate of the Universe still remains one of the greatest questions in science. Gravity and energy influence the formation of galaxies, including our own Milky Way Galaxy, stars, the planetary systems, and Earth. Humankind’s need to explore continues to lead to the development of knowledge and understanding of the nature of the Universe.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 1: Recall - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
2002100: M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2002110: M/J Comprehensive Science 3, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001010: M/J Earth/Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001020: M/J Earth/Space Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7820017: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2002085: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 Accelerated Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001025: M/J STEM Astronomy and Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SC.8.E.5.Pa.2: Recognize the Sun and stars as objects in space.
SC.8.E.5.In.6: Describe the Sun as a mass of hot, burning gases that produces very high temperatures.
SC.8.E.5.Su.5: Recognize that the Sun is made of gases that are on fire.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Our Solar System's Only Star:

In this activity, students will work collaboratively in groups of 3 or 4 to create a model of the Sun's interior layers (core, radiative zone, and convection zone), atmosphere (photosphere, chromosphere, and corona) and solar activity (prominences, solar flares, and sunspots) and will implement the properties of all layers into their model.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Sun's Layers and Features:

This is a two day lesson that will teach students about the layers and features of the Sun. On day one, students will research and describe the layers of the Sun using websites. On day two, students will learn about the features of the Sun in a PowerPoint and then show the knowledge they have gained by completing a foldable ending with three critical thinking closure questions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Structure of the Sun:

In this lesson, students will learn the layers of the sun (core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere, chromosphere, and corona) and three types of solar activity (sunspots, solar flares, and prominences). They will be able to build a model of the sun with labels and descriptions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Sunny With a Side of Photons: How to Build a Sun:

Explore the Sun and how energy goes from the Sun's core to our Earth in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Presentation/Slideshow

Making Sun-Earth Connections :

This presentation, offered by NASA, includes colorful graphics and presentation notes to help students understand the dynamics of the Sun, of the aurora, and of the turbulent space around Earth.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

Text Resources

How the Outer Sun Gets So Hot:

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article describes a theory explaining why the outer layer of the sun, the corona, is much hotter than some inner layers. The theory states that magnetic waves transport heat energy from the sun's center to its outer layers. They may be "shuttled" by gas jets that originate deeper within the sun.

Type: Text Resource

The Sun's Giant Heat Elevators:

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The article describes the discovery of mega-plumes of plasma within the sun. These long-lasting, larger than Earth heat elevators may be the reason the latitudes of the sun rotate at different speeds. Two different scientists have analyzed data that support this possible explanation.

Type: Text Resource

Video/Audio/Animation

Solar Wind's Effect on Earth:

The Sun produces a solar wind — a continuous flow of charged particles — that can affect us on Earth. It can, for example, disrupt communications, navigation systems, and satellites. Solar activity can also cause power outages, such as the extensive Canadian blackout in 1989. In this video segment adapted from NASA, learn about solar storms and their effects on Earth.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8

Sunny With a Side of Photons: How to Build a Sun:

Explore the Sun and how energy goes from the Sun's core to our Earth in this interactive tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Sunny With a Side of Photons: How to Build a Sun:

Explore the Sun and how energy goes from the Sun's core to our Earth in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Video/Audio/Animation

Solar Wind's Effect on Earth:

The Sun produces a solar wind — a continuous flow of charged particles — that can affect us on Earth. It can, for example, disrupt communications, navigation systems, and satellites. Solar activity can also cause power outages, such as the extensive Canadian blackout in 1989. In this video segment adapted from NASA, learn about solar storms and their effects on Earth.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.