In Patterns of Earth and Sky, students take on the role of astronomers who are helping a team of archaeologists explain the images on a recently discovered, thousand-year-old artifact with a missing piece. Students use mathematical thinking to make sense of patterns in the sky, which they figure out by using models and reading science books. They conduct investigations to figure out how the spin and orbit of our planet cause the daily and yearly patterns of stars we see in the sky.
These are the most important science words that students use throughout the unit. Getting familiar with these definitions, which are sometimes different from how people use these words in everyday life, may be useful as you support your student’s at-home learning. Your student will have a Glossary that includes these words.
astronomer: a scientist who studies stars, planets, and other objects in the universe
astrónomo/a: un/a científico/a que estudia las estrellas, los planetas y otros objetos del universo
constellation: an arrangement of stars as seen from Earth
constelación: una disposición de estrellas según se ven desde la Tierra
data: observations or measurements recorded in an investigation
datos: observaciones o mediciones registradas en una investigación
day: a period of time that is 24 hours long and includes daytime and nighttime
día: un periodo de tiempo que dura 24 horas e incluye las horas diurnas y nocturnas
explanation: a description of how something works or why something happens
explicación: una descripción de cómo algo funciona o por qué algo pasa
evidence: information that supports an answer to a question
evidencia: información que respalda una respuesta a una pregunta
investigation: an attempt to find out about something
investigación: un intento de aprender sobre algo
gravity: the pull between Earth and other objects, which acts even without touching
gravedad: el jalón entre la Tierra y otros objetos, lo cual actúa aun sin tocar
model: something scientists make to answer questions about the real world
modelo: algo que los científicos crean para responder preguntas sobre el mundo real
orbit: to move in a regular path around something
orbitar: moverse en una trayectoria regular alrededor de algo
pattern: something we observe to be similar over and over again
patrón: algo que observamos que sea similar una y otra vez
solar system: the sun, the planets that orbit the sun, and other objects that orbit the sun
sistema solar: el sol, los planetas que orbitan el sol y otros objetos que orbitan el sol
star: a huge object in space that gives off heat and light
estrella: un objeto enorme en el espacio que emite calor y luz
sun: the only star in our solar system
sol: la única estrella de nuestro sistema solar
visualize: to make a picture in your mind using information from different sources
visualizar: hacer una imagen en tu mente con información de diferentes fuentes
year: the length of time it takes for Earth to orbit the sun once
año: la cantidad de tiempo que le toma a la Tierra orbitar el sol una vez
Your student will read these books, which give them a chance to learn about the science concepts in the unit through stories, illustrations and photos, real-world examples, and information about real scientists. Your student does not need to read the books on their own. These books can be enjoyed together, and you can read them multiple times.
How Big Is Big? How Far Is Far?
Which Way Is Up?
Dog Days of Summer
Handbook of Stars and Constellations
Patterns of Earth and Sky
Questions for At-Home Discussion
Chapter 1
● I hear you’re investigating an ancient artifact that has to do with the Sun and the stars. What can you tell me about it?
● Why do you think we don’t usually see stars in the daytime?
Chapter 2
● What have you learned about the Sun and stars so far? What do you still wonder?
● Why do you think people on the other side of the Earth don’t fall off? Do you think they feel upside down?
Chapter 3
● Let’s think of a time we watched the sun set. What do you think is happening with the Earth and the Sun during a sunset?
● I hear you’re using a model called Mount Nose. Can you show me how it works?
Chapter 4
● What have you learned about constellations of stars and when we see them?
● Let’s try to see stars at night if we have a clear, dark night. What can you tell me about what we are seeing?
● What have you figured out about the ancient artifact? How did you figure it out?
Amplify Family Resources website: amplify.com/amplify-science-family-resources-es