Primary Connections:

National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)

• Earth and Space Science > Objects in the sky (Grade: K – 4)
• Earth and Space Science > Earth in the solar system (Grade: 5 – 8)

MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)

• Earth and Space Science > The Sun as a Source of Light and Heat (Grade: K – 2)
• Earth and Space Science > The Earth in the Solar System (Grade: 3 – 5)
• Earth and Space Science > The Earth in the Solar System (Grade: 6 – 8)

Secondary Connections:

National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)

• Earth and Space Science > Earth in the solar system (Grade: 5 – 8)
• Earth and Space Science > Earth in the solar system (Grade: 5 – 8)

Primary Connections:

National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)

• Earth and Space Science > Objects in the sky (Grade: K – 4)
  The sun provides the light and heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the earth.
• Earth and Space Science > Earth in the solar system (Grade: 5 – 8)
  The sun is the major source of energy for phenomena on the earth's surface, such as growth of plants, winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle. Seasons result from variations in the amount of the sun's energy hitting the surface, due to the tilt of the earth's rotation on its axis and the length of the day.

MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)

• Earth and Space Science > 04 The Sun as a Source of Light and Heat (Grade: K – 2)
  Recognize that the sun supplies heat and light to the earth and is necessary for life.
• Earth and Space Science > 14 The Earth in the Solar System (Grade: 3 – 5)
  Recognize that the earth revolves around (orbits) the sun in a year's time and that the earth rotates on its axis once approximately every 24 hours. Make connections between the rotation of the earth and day/night, and the apparent movement of the sun, moon, and stars across the sky.
• Earth and Space Science > 11 The Earth in the Solar System (Grade: 6 – 8)
  Explain how the tilt of the earth and its revolution around the sun result in an uneven heating of the earth, which in turn causes the seasons.

Secondary Connections:

National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)

• Earth and Space Science > Earth in the solar system (Grade: 5 – 8)
  The earth is the third planet from the sun in a system that includes the moon, the sun, eight other planets and their moons, and smaller objects, such as asteroids and comets. The sun, an average star, is the central and largest body in the solar system.
• Earth and Space Science > Earth in the solar system (Grade: 5 – 8)
  Most objects in the solar system are in regular and predictable motion. Those motions explain such phenomena as the day, the year, phases of the moon, and eclipses.