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Back to the Sun is a free printable Grade 5 science worksheet on modelling how the energy in food was once energy from the sun, aligned to Common Core standard 5-PS3-1. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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All 25 sets ask different questions.

Back to the Sun

5-PS3-1

NameDate

Number the steps from 1 to 4.

1.Trace the energy in a beef sandwich back to its source.
  • A person eats beef from the cow
  • A cow eats the grass
  • Sunlight falls on grass
  • The grass makes food and grows
2.Trace the energy in a bowl of cereal.
  • A person eats the cereal
  • Sunlight falls on a wheat field
  • The wheat grows and makes grain
  • The grain is milled into cereal

LessonPrint · 5-PS3-1 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Back to the Sun

Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Correct order: 3, 4, 2, 1
  2. 2.Correct order: 2, 3, 4, 1

Questions about Back to the Sun

What does the Back to the Sun worksheet cover?

It practises modelling how the energy in food was once energy from the sun — 2 questions for Grade 5, all on Common Core 5-PS3-1: Model how the energy in food started out as energy from the sun. The instruction to pupils is “Number the steps from 1 to 4”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.

Which Common Core standard does Back to the Sun practise?

5-PS3-1 — 5-PS3-1, in the Physical Science domain for Grade 5. The published standard reads: “Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.

What age or grade is this worksheet for?

Back to the Sun is written for Grade 5, typically ages 10-11. It is one of the sheets on 5-PS3-1, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.

Does Back to the Sun come with an answer key?

Yes. All 2 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.

How many different versions of Back to the Sun can I print?

25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.

Is Back to the Sun free to print and photocopy?

Yes. Back to the Sun, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.

Is there a lesson plan to teach 5-PS3-1?

Yes — “Back to the Sun” is a 60-minute Grade 5 plan for 5-PS3-1, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Back to the Sun is the practice that follows it.

More practice for 5-PS3-1

Model how the energy in food started out as energy from the sun.

Teaching this next? Back to the Sun is the 60-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 5 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to 5-PS3-1 of the Next Generation Science Standards.