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Sun Safety

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canada.¹ Exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun increases a person's risk of skin cancer, premature skin aging, and eye damage. Most people can prevent sun damage by protecting their skin from the sun.

Find out more information about sun safety.

Curriculum resources

To order any of the following curriculum resources, please contact the Resource Centre.

Elementary school resources

DVDs and other resources
Resource	Resource number	Curriculum links
Sun Safe Play Every Day - Canadian Dermatology Association (1999) A young boy and his dog talk about the sun, and the many ways we can play safely in the sun (4 min.). Available online.		JK, SK Gr. 1 C2.4, C3.1, C3.2(PSIP),A3.1, A3.2 Gr. 2 C1.1 (PSIP), A3.1, A3.2 Gr. 3 C2.2 (PSIP), A3.1
Sun Protection A Primary Teaching Resource (2004) Lesson plans and teaching tools for elementary teachers on sun protection. Produced by the World Health Organization (WHO).	12137	JK, SK Gr. 1 C2.4, C3.1, C3.2(PSIP),A3.1, A3.2 Gr. 2 C1.1 (PSIP), A3.1, A3.2 Gr. 3 C2.2 (PSIP), A3.1
Safe Fun in the Sun (2013) This resource includes easy to use, grade specific lesson plans aimed at increasing students' awareness of the risks associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Students will learn about the UV index and sun protection measures required at each index level. Created by Ottawa Public Health.	12249	JK, SK Gr. 1 A3.2, C3.1(PSIP) Gr. 2 A3.2, C1.1(PSIP) Gr. 3 C2.2 (PSIP) Gr. 4 A3.1, A3.2, C2.2(PSIP)
Sun Safety: UV Frisbee Science (2013) This interactive lesson on sun safety incorporates an outdoor activity with a UV Frisbee. Teaching topics include: the harmful effects of UV exposure, protection from the sun's rays, the UV index, and the ozone layer. Kit includes student handouts, a Be Sun Smart poster, a UV Frisbee, and more!	14665	Gr. 5 A3.2(PSIP) (PS,CT)
Climate Change and Health (2014) This resource includes a lesson plan on climate change and its impact on health, background information for teachers on specific topic areas including; vector borne disease, extreme heat, air quality, and emergency preparedness, and an interactive board game available in hardcopy or as a CD.	14684	Gr. 5 3.2 (PSIP) Science and Technology 1.1
Teens and Tanning - A Sun Safety Update (2005) This DVD explains the history of tanning and the dangers of over exposure to the sun and tanning beds. Sun safety practices are also discussed (16 min.).	D46	Gr. 7 A3.1, A3.2 Gr. 8 C1.2, C2.2(PSIP),A3.1

Secondary school resources

DVDs
Resource	Resource number	Curriculum links
Teens and Tanning - A Sun Safety Update (2005) This DVD explains the history of tanning and the dangers of over exposure to the sun and tanning beds. Sun safety practices are also discussed (16 min.).	D46	Gr. 9 PS1.1 Gr. 10 C3.2 (PSIP) Gr. 11C1.2 (PSIP)
Dear 16-year-old me ( David Cornfield Melanoma Fund ) This short video highlights the dangers of melanoma for young people (5min.). Previewing is recommended.	Available online	Gr. 9 PS1.1 Gr. 10 C3.2 (PSIP) Gr. 11C1.2 (PSIP)

Addtional resources:

Sun Safety useful links:

Canadian Cancer Society: Provides information on sun and UV and also has activities for students including an interactive cancer prevention tool. Check out the SunSense program to help your school develop a sun safe policy.
Alberta Health Services: The Big Burn: Provides resources for educators including factsheets, videos, and information on how to talk to students about tanning. It can also be used by students for classroom activities related to tanning and skin cancer.
Environment and Climate Change Canada: This website has information on UV rays, sun protection, and the UV index. It can be used by students for activities and/or projects.
Canadian Dermatology Association: Offers information on topics related to dermatology, including sun safety and skin cancer. Good resource for students' personal use. Also provides resources for teachers including sun safety videos for younger children and a video on tanning for older age groups.
Health Canada: Offers general information on sun protection and UV rays. Students can use this website as a resource for activities and/or projects.
Ontario Ecoschools: This website has information on how schools can become more environmentally friendly. It also provides curriculum-based resources and tools on topics related to the environment (various grade levels)
World Health Organization: Offers resources for primary teachers including strategies, lesson plans and activities on topics related to sun safety. These resources are organized according to subject and age group and are curriculum-based.
Evergreen: Provides teaching resources including activities, lesson plans, and videos on various environmental topics (organized by grade level). Also includes information on greening school grounds.

References:

Canadian Cancer Society's Steering Committee. Canadian cancer statistics. Toronto: 2010.