Sky Science
Students learn about objects in the day and night
sky. Through direct observation and research,
students learn about the motions and
characteristics of stars, moons and planets. Using
simple materials, such as balls and beads, students
create models and diagrams which they use to
explore the relative position and motion of objects
in space. As a result of these studies, students
move from a simple view of land and sky, to one
that recognizes Earth as a sphere in motion within
a larger universe. With new understanding,
students revisit the topics of seasonal cycles,
phases of the Moon and the apparent motion of
stars.
Specific Learner Expectations
Students will:
1. Recognize that the Sun and stars emit the
light by which they are seen and that most
other bodies in space, including Earth’s
Moon, planets and their moons, comets, and
asteroids, are seen by reflected light.
2. Describe the location and movement of
individual stars and groups of stars
(constellations) as they move through the
night sky.
3. Recognize that the apparent movement of
objects in the night sky is regular and
predictable, and explain how this apparent
movement is related to Earth’s rotation.
4. Understand that the Sun should never be
viewed directly, nor by use of simple
telescopes or filters, and that safe viewing
requires appropriate methods and safety
precautions.
5. Construct and use a device for plotting the
apparent movement of the Sun over the
course of a day; e.g., construct and use a
sundial or shadow stick.
6. Describe seasonal changes in the length of
the day and night and in the angle of the Sun
above the horizon.
7. Recognize that the Moon’s phases are
regular and predictable, and describe the
cycle of its phases.
8. Illustrate the phases of the Moon in drawings
and by using improvised models. An
improvised model might involve such things
as a table lamp and a sponge ball.
9. Recognize that the other eight known
planets, which revolve around the Sun, have
characteristics and surface conditions that
are different from Earth; and identify
examples of those differences.
10. Recognize that not only Earth, but other
planets, have moons; and identify examples
of similarities and differences in the
characteristics of those moons.
11. Identify technologies and procedures by
which knowledge, about planets and other
objects in the night sky, has been gathered.
12. Understand that Earth, the Sun and the Moon
are part of a solar system that occupies only
a tiny part of the known universe
sky. Through direct observation and research,
students learn about the motions and
characteristics of stars, moons and planets. Using
simple materials, such as balls and beads, students
create models and diagrams which they use to
explore the relative position and motion of objects
in space. As a result of these studies, students
move from a simple view of land and sky, to one
that recognizes Earth as a sphere in motion within
a larger universe. With new understanding,
students revisit the topics of seasonal cycles,
phases of the Moon and the apparent motion of
stars.
Specific Learner Expectations
Students will:
1. Recognize that the Sun and stars emit the
light by which they are seen and that most
other bodies in space, including Earth’s
Moon, planets and their moons, comets, and
asteroids, are seen by reflected light.
2. Describe the location and movement of
individual stars and groups of stars
(constellations) as they move through the
night sky.
3. Recognize that the apparent movement of
objects in the night sky is regular and
predictable, and explain how this apparent
movement is related to Earth’s rotation.
4. Understand that the Sun should never be
viewed directly, nor by use of simple
telescopes or filters, and that safe viewing
requires appropriate methods and safety
precautions.
5. Construct and use a device for plotting the
apparent movement of the Sun over the
course of a day; e.g., construct and use a
sundial or shadow stick.
6. Describe seasonal changes in the length of
the day and night and in the angle of the Sun
above the horizon.
7. Recognize that the Moon’s phases are
regular and predictable, and describe the
cycle of its phases.
8. Illustrate the phases of the Moon in drawings
and by using improvised models. An
improvised model might involve such things
as a table lamp and a sponge ball.
9. Recognize that the other eight known
planets, which revolve around the Sun, have
characteristics and surface conditions that
are different from Earth; and identify
examples of those differences.
10. Recognize that not only Earth, but other
planets, have moons; and identify examples
of similarities and differences in the
characteristics of those moons.
11. Identify technologies and procedures by
which knowledge, about planets and other
objects in the night sky, has been gathered.
12. Understand that Earth, the Sun and the Moon
are part of a solar system that occupies only
a tiny part of the known universe