![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Educator resources
SunWise Program for schools |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program summary |
Background information |
Becoming a SunWise School |
Tools available |
Enter/View UV data |
Program evaluation |
Educator resources |
Poster contest |
The SunWise Program provides a variety of educational tools for use in schools and in less formal settings. Program participants receive a "tool kit" of materials to help them teach sun-wise behavior in classrooms, community organizations, and homes. Please visit our Tools page for more information about the materials. To participate in the SunWise Program, visit our registration pages for schools and community organizations.
On this page, we offer SunWise materials that you may download and use, and teacher tips. These materials supplement the tool kit distributed to program participants.
Share your plan
Have you developed a sun safety lesson plan that you use in your classroom? Send it to sunwise@epa.gov and we may post it on this page.
How to download materials
Downloading SunWise materials involves saving files on your computer. If you click the links below in the usual way, the resources will be displayed by your browser. To download a file instead of viewing it, follow these steps:
- Windows - Right-click the link. Pick Save Target As... or Save Link As... from the list.
Macintosh - Hold down the Option key while you click the link. - Choose a location (folder) on your computer in which to save the file, and click the Save button.
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
You will need additional software to view some of the materials listed below. Items designated as PowerPoint require Microsoft Office software or equivalent, or PowerPoint Viewer software available free from Microsoft. (Search for "PowerPoint viewer" at the microsoft.com Web site.)
Supplemental materials
For a complete listing of SunWise fact sheets, brochures, and posters, please visit our Publications Page. See sample activities on our Tool Kit page.
SunWise introductory lessons
These files contain computer-based introductory lessons that can be used to introduce the topic of sun safety and being SunWise.
- Grades K-2
- SunWise K-2 Introductory Lesson (PowerPoint) (43 slides, 9.7 MB)
- Speaker Notes for the K-2 Introductory Lesson (PDF) (43 pp, 2.1MB)
- Grades 3-5
- SunWise 3-5 Introductory Lesson (PowerPoint) (34 slides, 8.4 MB)
- Speaker Notes for the 3-5 Introductory Lesson (PDF) (34 pp, 1.8MB)
- Grades 6-8
- SunWise 6-8 Introductory Lesson (PowerPoint) (34 slides, 12.7 MB)
- Speaker Notes for the 6-8 Introductory Lesson (PDF) (34 pp, 1.7MB)
Introductory lesson supporting files
To view the videos below, you will need a computer with speakers and player software that is compatible with Windows Media Video (.WMV) file format. An example is Windows Media Player software, available free from Microsoft. Note: These videos do not have captions for the sound track.
- Video: SunWise Sun Safety Program, part 1 (WMV) (Windows video format, 6.9 minutes, 75 MB) This video corresponds to slide 8 of the SunWise 6-8 Introductory Lesson (PowerPoint) listed above. The video presents an overview of sun safety and the SunWise program.
- Video: Harmful UV Radiation (WMV) (Windows video format, 2.1 minutes, 4.7 MB) This video corresponds to slide 11 of the SunWise 6-8 Introductory Lesson (PowerPoint) listed above. The video further describes UV radiation and its impact.
Other resources
Video: Green Scene: Be SunWise with sun safe tips (Flash) Luke Hall-Jordan of the SunWise Program discusses the importance of being SunWise while in the sun. (This link opens a new browser window. To view the video you will need the Flash™ browser plugin, which is available free at adobe.com. Most browsers have this software installed.)- Average monthly UV Index - This Web page contains 12 maps showing the average monthly UV Index for the United States. You could use the maps in a classroom activity discussing students' vacation travel plans and action steps for sun protection.
- Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: Policies to Promote Sun Safety and Prevent Skin Cancer (PDF)
(42 pp, 852K) - This model policy language from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) gives sample sun safety policies that reflect best practice and can be adapted to fit local circumstances. - SunWise Meteorologist Kit (PDF) (53 pp, 2.2MB) - SunWise, in partnership with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS), has developed a tool kit specifically designed for broadcast and operational meteorologists. The kit is intended to assist meteorologists in educating children about UV radiation and sun protection.
- Shade Planning for America's Schools (PDF) (70 pp, 1 MB) - This guidance document was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist schools in creating and maintaining a physical environment that supports sun safety by ensuring that school grounds have adequate shade. Of particular interest is the information on planning and designing a shade structure on school grounds, and a "how to" on conducting a shade audit.
- SunWise Program on Radio Disney - In 2007, SunWise participated in numerous Radio Disney interviews and played a PSA by T-Squad. Listen to the PSA and informative, educational and fun radio interviews by clicking on the link above.
- The Sunscreen Dance with Fun Activities - The Swingset Mamas are allowing SunWise teachers to download and use their hit "The Sunscreen Dance" for educational purposes. To complement the fun and engaging song, EPA created some additional activities for you and your students.
Teacher tips
Adapt the following ideas for your grade level.
- Tell a SunWise story... using sun foolish and sun safe pictures (example below) that you get from age appropriate magazines and books. In lower grades, use pictures from the SunWise storybook or activity book to tell a story. (Get them from our publications Web page.)
- Look at the way these girls [boys] are dressed to go outside to play.
- What have they done to be sun safe? Do you see any sun foolish actions?
- What do you do to be sun safe?
- Write an advertisement for the local/school newspaper about being sun safe.
- Draw a picture of you being sun safe.
- Use the SunWise fact sheets as warm-up (reading) exercises. (Get them from our publications Web page.)
- Use the newspaper as a "scavenger hunt" for SunWise related items:
- the UV index readings
- advertisements for sunscreen/hats/umbrellas/trees
- examples/pictures of sun safe and sun foolish behaviors
- Student Service Learning / Family Involvement / PTA
Organize activities that involve high school students and the community- building shade structures on outside play areas
- planting trees for shade
- awareness campaigns for outside activities (recreation centers, sports teams, pools)
- Keep up to date on sun safety-related news by signing up to receive the SunWise News Roundup, a weekly email containing a comprehensive list of sun safety articles from the past week
- Tell other teachers about SunWise using this short fact sheet (PDF) (3 pp, 845K)