Energy from Food & the Sun
Use models to describe that energy in animals' food was once energy from the sun, transferred through plants or other organisms
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Teaching Table
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“Can your child trace the energy in their breakfast cereal all the way back to the sun, explaining each step?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Use models to describe that energy in animals' food was once energy from the sun, transferred through plants or other organisms
What to notice. Explain that plants capture energy from sunlight to make food (photosynthesis) • Trace an energy pathway: sun → plant → animal → another animal • Explain that animals use food energy for body repair, growth, movement, and warmth
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1 approach
Can your child trace the energy in their breakfast cereal all the way back to the sun, explaining each step?
Use models to describe that energy in animals' food was once energy from the sun, transferred through plants or other organisms
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Check understanding
- Explain that plants capture energy from sunlight to make food (photosynthesis)
- Trace an energy pathway: sun → plant → animal → another animal
- Explain that animals use food energy for body repair, growth, movement, and warmth
“Can your child trace the energy in their breakfast cereal all the way back to the sun, explaining each step?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Organisms & Life Processes
- Age range
- Ages 10–11
Standards