Unit 1 and 2: Stars, Sun, and Moon
Stars Unit Overview: The purpose of this unit is for students to understand that Stars are big balls of hot gasses around which other celestial objects may revolve. Although the sun appears larger to us than any other star, there are many stars which are much larger. The sun appears so large compared to the other stars because it is so much closer to us than any other star. The sun is just an average sized star. At the end of this unit, students will be able to describe the physical attributes of stars and explain why stars are different in size, brightness, and grouping patterns called constellation.
Moon Unit Overview: In this unit, students will be able to model the position of the sun relative to a fixed object at various times of the day, use a shadow stick or sundial to record changes in shadows through the day. They will explain why the lengths of day and night differ from summer to winter, and model the shape of the moon as seen from its different positions relative to the earth and sun and to your specific location on earth.
Standards:
S2E1 - Students will understand that stars have different sizes, brightness, and patterns.
S2E1.a - Describe the physical attributes of stars - size, brightness, and patterns.
S2E2 - Students will investigate the position of sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year.
S2E2 - Students will investigate the position of sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year.
S2E2.a - Investigate the position of the sun in relation to a fixed object on earth at various times of the day.
S2E2.c - Relate the length of the day and night to the change in seasons (for example: Days are longer than the night in the summer.)
S2E2.d - Use observations and charts to record the shape of the moon for a period of time.
Essential Questions:
Stars and Constellation Websites:
Kids Astronomy: http://www.kidsastronomy.com/stars.htm
Stars & Constellations: http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/15-educational/science/102-star-a-constellations.html
NASA for Kids: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/index.html
Stars Unit Overview: The purpose of this unit is for students to understand that Stars are big balls of hot gasses around which other celestial objects may revolve. Although the sun appears larger to us than any other star, there are many stars which are much larger. The sun appears so large compared to the other stars because it is so much closer to us than any other star. The sun is just an average sized star. At the end of this unit, students will be able to describe the physical attributes of stars and explain why stars are different in size, brightness, and grouping patterns called constellation.
Moon Unit Overview: In this unit, students will be able to model the position of the sun relative to a fixed object at various times of the day, use a shadow stick or sundial to record changes in shadows through the day. They will explain why the lengths of day and night differ from summer to winter, and model the shape of the moon as seen from its different positions relative to the earth and sun and to your specific location on earth.
Standards:
S2E1 - Students will understand that stars have different sizes, brightness, and patterns.
S2E1.a - Describe the physical attributes of stars - size, brightness, and patterns.
S2E2 - Students will investigate the position of sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year.
S2E2 - Students will investigate the position of sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year.
S2E2.a - Investigate the position of the sun in relation to a fixed object on earth at various times of the day.
S2E2.c - Relate the length of the day and night to the change in seasons (for example: Days are longer than the night in the summer.)
S2E2.d - Use observations and charts to record the shape of the moon for a period of time.
Essential Questions:
- What are the physical attributes of stars?
- What are constellations?
- What causes morning, noon, and night?
- What causes the phases of the moon?
- What causes the moon to shine?
- What causes the length of the day to change throughout the seasons of the year?
- How does the position of the sun and moon affect the seasons?
- How does the Earth's orbit affect seasons, daylight, night, and moon shapes?
- What causes an eclipse?
Stars and Constellation Websites:
Kids Astronomy: http://www.kidsastronomy.com/stars.htm
Stars & Constellations: http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/15-educational/science/102-star-a-constellations.html
NASA for Kids: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/index.html