ESS.3.1.3
Obtain, evaluate and communicate information to recognize the patterns of the stars (including the sun) stay the same as they appear to move across the sky.
Step 1: Lesson Standards & Learning Goals
Dimension 1:
SEP: Obtain, Evaluate, and Communicate Information
Obtain and combine information from books and/or other reliable media to explain phenomena.
Dimension 2:
CCC: Patterns
Dimension 3:
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
ESS1.A The sun is a star that appears larger and brighter than other stars because it is closer.
ESS1.B Some objects in the solar system can be seen with the naked eye. Planets in the night sky change positions and are not always visible from Earth as they orbit the sun.
ESS1.B Stars appear in patterns called constellations, which can be used for navigation and appear to move together across the sky (because of the Earth’s rotation).
Sample Essential Questions
What are constellations?
Why do stars look like they are moving?
How does the sun differ from other stars?
Vocabulary
stars
patterns
brighter
seasons
constellations
rotate
Students will be able to...
Obtain, Evaluate, and Communicate Information - Read and comprehend grade-appropriate complex texts and/or other reliable media to summarize and obtain scientific and technical ideas and describe how they are supported by evidence about the Earth, Sun, and stars.
Students will know...
Students will know the apparent movement of the sun and stars in the sky happen in consistent patterns.
Students will know the Earth rotates on its axis.
Students will know the patterns of the stars in the sky stay the same, although they appear to move across the sky nightly. It is Earth rotating that makes the stars appear to move.
Students will know some stars can be seen in Earth’s northern hemisphere and different stars can be observed in the southern hemisphere.
Step 2: Assessment
Formative Assessments
Writing Prompts
Write a journal entry as the sun, describing the different parts of the earth you’ve seen all day.
The Sun is a star, not a planet. What do you think makes it a star?
How does the Sun affect our lives on earth?
Mini Projects and Investigations
Culminating Activity
Respond to the following questions:
Why do the sun/stars in the sky seem to move even though they are always in the same place? Explain your thoughts using text evidence and information from your investigations..
Why are some constellations only visible from the northern OR southern hemisphere? Create a model or diagram to support your reasoning.
Step 3: Lesson Instructions
Possible Activating Strategies
Think - Pair - Share:
Ask students to pair up and discuss if they think the night sky looks the same everywhere in the world? Why or why not? Allow pairs to share what they discussed
Video Clip:
Sun and Stars for Kids (Video)
Brainstorm:
North and South hemisphere combined picture: Show students the linked picture and complete a see, think, wonder chart as a class. Have a discussion about why the sky does not look the exact same at the top and at the bottom.
Think - Pair - Share
Revisit with students why it looks like the sun is moving in the sky and our shadows change (because earth rotates around the sun). Ask students if they think this affects the night sky? Why or why not?
Additional Literacy Connections
The Stars (Journey Through Space) - Get Epic
The Sun and Other Stars - Get Epic
The Sun: Shining Star of the Solar System (by Laura Perdew)
The Stars: A Gazillion Suns (by Laura Perdew)
Video: Why Do Stars Move?