Teacher’s Guide for Use With

The Sun Show

(Grades 4 – 6)

Welcome to The Sun Show (TSS), a skin cancer prevention media tool for your classroom. Funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, TSS was produced by Sun Safety for Kids (a California nonprofit) in collaboration with the Skin Cancer Prevention Program of the California Department of Health Services.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight represent the chief cause of skin cancer, by far the most common cancer in California and across North America. This educational video is designed to diminish the epidemic of skin cancer by encouraging and enabling children to adopt a sun-safe lifestyle.

Synopsis

TSS presents many aspects of why and how to protect oneself from UV radiation. Tailored for this specific age group, sunburns, tanning, wrinkling, and skin cancer are all addressed. Heavy emphasis is placed on simple strategies for reducing exposure to UV rays, including:

· Wearing hats with wide brims

· Wearing protective clothing

· Wearing sunglasses

· Seeking shade

· Applying sunscreen to exposed skin

· Checking the UV Index

· Never sunbathing

The show features children and young adolescents, often situated within famous Southern California locales.

Background Information: Skin Cancer

The incidence of new skin cancer cases has risen steadily since the 1930s because Americans have continued to get too much sun. Yet, most skin cancer can be prevented by avoiding overexposure to UV radiation from the sun and artificial tanning beds. Nationally, approximately one million new cases occur each year, taking the life of one American every hour. Besides skin cancer, UV rays also cause sunburns, premature aging (wrinkles and blotches), cataracts, and suppression of the immune system.

Skin cancer rates have increased in the U.S. for a number of reasons, including the following:

· Decrease in the amount of skin covered by clothing

· Decrease in the levels of stratospheric ozone (permitting more UV rays to penetrate)

· General perception that tanned skin is attractive and healthy

· Population shift away from the northeast to sunnier states

· Increased average age of the population

While dark skin does provide some degree of natural sun protection, individuals with light or white skin color are significantly more vulnerable to UV damage. And whereas sun-safety practices are recommended for everyone, sun-protection behaviors are extremely important for individuals with red or blonde hair, freckles, blue or green eyes, or skin that has many moles or easily sunburns.

There are at least two roads to skin cancer:

· Sunburns: One or two blistering sunburns during childhood can double the risk.

· Chronic UV over-exposure: Sun damage is cumulative over a lifetime. Frequent or extensive outdoor play or work significantly increases one’s risk for skin cancer.

The higher the level of UV radiation, the more quickly skin can be damaged. Multiple factors influence the level or strength of UV. It is wise for everyone to take reasonable precautions at all times. But expect higher UV levels, and increase sun-protective measures per these time frames or environmental conditions:

· Month: March through October

· Hour: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

· Latitude: Southern

· Elevation: Higher (especially above 3,000 feet)

· Surface: Reflective (e.g. snow, water, cement, and sand etc.)

Goal

The overall goal of The Sun Show, along with supplemental materials, is to enable and encourage viewers to adopt a sun-safe lifestyle, which will greatly diminish their contact with UV radiation and significantly reduce their risk for skin cancer.

Educational Objectives. After students view the presentation and complete related activities, they should be able to:

1. Describe UV rays as:

A. An invisible component of sunlight

B. A cause of skin damage

C. Capable of causing sunburns, premature aging, and skin cancer

2. List and give examples of recommended skin cancer prevention strategies:

A. Choose shade

B. Wear a hat

C. Cover up with clothing

D. Apply sunscreen to exposed skin

E. Wear sunglasses

F. Check the UV Index

G. Refrain from sun tanning

Behavioral Objectives. After students view the presentation and complete related activities, they should demonstrate by voice and action:

Adoption of one or more sun-safety practices.
Indication that they have a “healthy fear” of skin cancer.
A decrease in intent to purposefully suntan.

Remember that sun safety is included in the California Department of Education’s Health Framework as a component of environmental health.

Preparing to Show TSS

Review the earlier section titled “Background Information” and share with students some of the specifics appearing there. You will probably want to especially highlight these facts:

1. UV stands for “ultraviolet,” invisible rays that come from the sun and hit us when we are

outdoors.

2. UV rays cause sunburn.

3. UV rays are the chief cause of skin cancer.

4. Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer in California.

5. The lighter your skin, the more quickly and easily it can be damaged by UV rays.

6. There are simple things we can do to protect our skin from UV rays (e.g. wear a big-brimmed

hat, longer clothing, and UV-protective sunglasses; seek shade when outdoors; and apply

sunscreen to exposed skin.)

Next engage students in conversation to help focus their minds on sun safety by presenting these discussion questions:

Question: What bad things can happen to your skin and eyes if you stay in the sun too long or too often without protection?

Answers:

· Sunburn, redness, pain, blisters, and peeling.

· Looking old: wrinkles, age spots, sagging and scaly skin.

· Skin cancer – later in life.

· Eye damage, eyes hurt.

Question: How does the color of your skin make a difference when you’re outdoors in the sun?

Answer: Lighter-colored skin can get burned/damaged/hurt more quickly and easily

Question: Who has ever had a sunburn? Ask several students to describe how it felt to have a sunburn (i.e. when putting on clothing; sitting in a chair; taking a shower or bath, etc.).

Now introduce TSS and ask students to watch for information regarding how UV rays damage the skin and specific ways they can protect themselves.

Post-Showing Discussion Questions and Quiz

1. What can we put between ourselves and the sun to block UV rays? (Show as an example,

a hat with a large brim. Then ask for other strategies, e.g. a shade tree, longer clothing, UV-

protective sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, etc.)

2. Where can you find shade outside on the school yard where you can play at recess or eat your

lunch?

3. Where on campus would you like to have more shade?

4. How many of you have used sunscreen? Where on your bodies do you apply sunscreen?

Quiz: Implement the attached quiz with your students.

For More Information

Following are recommended websites to learn more about understanding and preventing skin cancer:

Official Sun Show website: www.thesunshow.com

Sun Safety for Kids: www.sunsafetyforkids.org

California Department of Health Services: www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/cdic/cpns/skin/default.htm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/sunwise

American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org

The Skin Cancer Foundation: www.skincancer.org

American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org

The two co-executive producers of TSS are listed below. Contact them for additional resources and tips to support use of TSS and to learn more about integrating sun-safety measures into your school or organization.

Jeff Ashley, M.D., President Andrew Manthe, M.P.H., C.H.E.S., Chief

Sun Safety for Kids Skin Cancer Prevention Program

2625 W. Alameda Avenue, Suite 517 California Department of Health Services

Burbank, CA 91505 P.O. Box 997413, MS-7204

Sacramento, CA 95899-7413

E-mail: info@sunsafetyforkids.net

E-mail: amanthe@dhs.ca.gov

Telephone: (916) 449-5393

Supplemental Skin Cancer Prevention Education Resources for grades 4 - 6

· Grades K-8: SunWise School Program. No cost. Available in Spanish. Contact: Environmental Protection Agency. (202) 343-9361. www.epa.gov/sunwise .

· Grades K-8: Sun Safety Activity Guide (download at no cost). Sun Safety: A Growing Health Concern, (video) - $30. Contact: National Safety Council. (202) 974-2486. www.nsc.org/ehc/sunsafe.htm .

· Grades K-8: Norris Cotton Cancer Center, New Hampshire. Free educational resources. (603) 650-5000. www.dartmouth.edu/dms/sunsafe.

· Grades K-5: Sunny Days Healthy Ways - Resource Kit on CD-ROM. $79.95.

Grades 4-5: Sunny Days Healthy Ways - Interactive CD-ROM. $39.95.

Grades K-12: Sun Safe School Guide. No cost. Contact: Klein Buendel, Inc. (877) 258-2915 Ext. 3. www.sdhw.info.

· Grades 4-12: Project SAFETY. CD-ROM for $13.00. (SAFETY stands for “Sun Awareness for Educating Today’s Youth.”) Meets national science & health education standards.

Contact: University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. (713) 745-1205.

www.mdanderson.org/projectsafety.

· Grades K-12: SunSmart America. Free curriculum and related materials. Contact: Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation. (561) 687-2400.

www.melanomafoundation.com.

· Preschool-Grade 12: Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria, Australia. Free education resources.

www.sunsmart.com.au.

The Sun Show (Grades 4 – 6)

Quiz

Circle the correct answer

1) UV rays are

a) Yellow

b) Hot

c) Invisible

d) Wet

2) Where would you most likely come in contact with UV rays?

a) On the school playground

b) In the classroom

c) In the principal’s office

d) In the gym

3) A suntan is good for you.

a) True

b) False

4) Which item below can provide a lot of shade to protect you from the sun?

a) A drinking fountain

b) A tree

c) A jungle gym

d) A basketball backboard

5) Which hat would best protect you from the sun?

a) A baseball cap

b) A visor

c) A hat with a big brim all the way around

6) What is the best way to learn when UV levels are high?

a) Look up in the sky

b) Check the UV Index on the internet

c) Check how hot it is with a thermometer

d) Read the classified section in a newspaper

7) During what time frame are UV rays the strongest?

a) During winter

b) At sunrise

c) Between 10 a.m and 4 p.m., daily

d) When the UV Index is one or less

8) Regarding the phrase “slip! slop! slap!” – the word “slap” reminds us to wear a:

a) Hat

b) Shirt

c) Dress

d) Sweater

9) What should you rub on your skin to help protect it from getting hurt by UV rays?

a) Insect repellent

b) Hairspray

c) Soap and water

d) Sunscreen

10) What is the main reason why you should protect your skin from too much UV rays?

a) To prevent freckles

b) To prevent dry skin

c) To prevent skin cancer

d) To prevent scars

The Sun Show (Grades 4 – 6 for Ages 9 – 11)

Evaluation Form

Please complete this form after you have shown The Sun Show to your students. Before playing the video, please read the accompanying Teacher’s Guide. In conjunction with showing the video, be sure to implement the activities included in the Teacher’s Guide within the sections titled “Preparing To Show TSS” and “Post-Showing Discussion Questions and Quiz.” Thank you for rating this video.

Date:______________________________________________________________________

School name:_______________________________________________________________

Teacher’s name & telephone number:____________________________________________

Grade range of the students who watched the video:______________________

Questions

1. How well did the video hold the students’ interest?

1 2 3 4 5

Not at all Very well

2. How appropriate was the video for the students’ age group?

1 2 3 4 5

Not appropriate Very appropriate

3. How effective was the video in teaching sun safety (based on the Teacher’s Guide activities)?

1 2 3 4 5

Not effective Very effective

4. What did the students say they liked about the video? (Also write teacher comments here.)

_______________________________________________________________________________

5. What did the students say they didn’t like about the video? (Also write teacher comments.)

_______________________________________________________________________________

6. How well did the Teacher’s Guide prepare you to use the video in your classroom?

1 2 3 4 5

Poorly Excellent

7. How would you improve the Teacher’s Guide (what would you add or delete)?_________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Please return form to: Pleasanton PTA Council

4750 First Street, Pleasanton, CA 94566 or FAX: 925-426-0564

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK!