| SUN, MOON ,AND STARS COURSE MATRIX |
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SYNOPSIS |
SCIENCE
CONTENT |
THINKING
PROCESSES |
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1. |
THE SUN |
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Students use a compass to study
the position of the Sun in the sky at
different times during the day. They
observe the Sun’s position, record,
make predictions, and make new
observations later in the day to check
their predictions.
Students explore shadows created by
blocking sunlight on the schoolyard.
They trace shadows, predict where
shadows will be later in the day, and
return to check their predictions.
Students read about the changing
position of the Sun in the sky. |
• Day happens when a location on
Earth is facing toward the Sun; night
happens when a location on Earth is
facing away from the Sun.
• The Sun appears to rise in the east and
set in the west every day.
• A compass is a tool used to determine
directions (east, west, north, south).
• Shadows are the areas of darkness
created when an opaque object blocks
light.
• The shapes of shadows change over a
day and depend on the position of the
Sun in the sky.
• The exact path the Sun takes in the sky
varies by season.
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• Observe and record the path the
Sun takes in the sky.
• Observe and collect shadow data
at different times of day.
• Analyze shadow data to develop
an explanation about the Sun’s
daily movements.
• Use shadow data to predict the
position of the Sun in the sky.
• Use models to develop
explanations.
• Communicate observations. |
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2. |
THE MOON |
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Students observe the Moon in the
sky during the day and night for
a period of 4 weeks. They record
the appearance of the Moon and
analyze the data to discover a
sequence of changes, the lunar
cycle. Students learn the names
of the Moon phases and how
to predict the next step in the
sequence. Concepts are reinforced
through simulations, readings, a
video, and writing. |
• Objects in the night sky include the
Moon, stars, and other planets.
• Earth is one of several planets that
orbit the Sun in the solar system.
• The Moon orbits Earth.
• The Moon can appear in the sky
during both night and day.
• The Moon changes its appearance,
or phase, in a regular pattern over 4
weeks.
• Moon phase is the portion of the
illuminated half of the Moon that is
visible from Earth. |
• Observe and record changes in
the Moon’s appearance over a
month.
• Analyze observations to discover
the sequence of changes that
occur during the Moon’s phase
cycle.
• Use models to develop
explanations.
• Learn the vocabulary associated
with Moon phases. |
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3. |
THE STARS |
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Students look to the night sky to
observe the stars and are introduced
to the constellations people have
named. Students engage in
simulations to understand why the
stars appear to move across the sky
during the night and why different
stars can be seen from Earth at
different seasons.
Students read about the role of
telescopes in astronomy research
and about star scientists. |
• Stars are suns positioned at great
distances from Earth.
• Groups of stars form patterns called
constellations.
• Stars (constellations) appear to move
together across the night sky because
Earth rotates.
• Stars can be observed from Earth’s
surface only at night.
• Different constellations can be seen
during different seasons because
Earth revolves around the Sun.
• Stars are different sizes and have
different brightnesses.
• Telescopes make distant objects look
closer and larger. |
• Identify several constellations
as stable, predictable patterns of stars.
• Use models and simulations to
develop explanations. |
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page 3
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