Virginia SOL 6.4.a
The Standard
the sun is important in the formation of most energy sources on Earth
Virginia Standards of Learning for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify which common energy sources depend on solar energy and explain each link. They trace sunlight through photosynthesis, uneven heating, and the water cycle.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can build accurate energy chains for biomass, fossil fuels, wind, and hydroelectric power. They can distinguish geothermal, nuclear, and tidal energy from solar-derived sources.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think only solar panels use energy from the sun. They may overlook sunlight's role in coal, wind, and moving water, or call electricity an original source. Some think every energy source comes from the sun.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: For coal, wind, hydroelectric power, and geothermal energy, draw an energy chain back to its origin. Circle the source that does not depend on sunlight.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups source and process cards, then have them build chains connecting sunlight to coal, biomass, wind, and hydroelectric power.
Ask students to explain in writing how a lump of coal can contain energy that once came from sunlight.
Run an energy-chain relay where teams arrange shuffled cards into correct source, process, and usable energy sequences.
Use a local utility fuel mix and have students label each source as solar-derived or not, then justify one label.
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Printable 6.4.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6.4.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 1.6.a
the sun is the source of energy and light that warms the Earth's land, air, and water; and
- 3.7.b
the energy from the sun drives the water cycle; and
- K.8.a
the sun provides light and warms Earth's surface;
- 1.6
The student will investigate and understand that there is a relationship between the sun and Earth. Key ideas include
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