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Overview
and Background: Unit: Sun, Moon, Stars, and Shadows |
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Name: Joyce Foley |
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Cheney
Elementary : Grades 3 |
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Title: |
Sun, Moon, Stars, and Shadows |
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Topics: |
Astronomy,
Planets |
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Time Frame: |
Spring of Third Grade – 2 weeks |
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Start Date: |
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Other Designers: Laurie Thisius, Connie Moore |
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Summary: |
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Print Materials Needed: Starry Messenger, by Peter Sis; Sun Up, Sun Down, by Gail Gibbons; Postcards From
Pluto: A Tour of the Solar System, by Loreen Leedy; Time After Time, by Melvin Berger Marshmallow Chipwich directions from
Science Surprises!: Ready-to-Use Experiments
& Activities for Young Learners by Jean R. Feldman, Pub. by The Center
for Applied Research in Education West Sun & Shade directions from Science Surprises!: Ready-to-Use Experiments & Activities for
Young Learners by Jean R. Feldman, Pub. by The Center for Applied Research in
Education West You &
Your Shadow directions - Science Experiments and Nature Studies, Macmillan
Instant Activities Program, @ 1982 Macmillan Educational You &
Your Shadow Graph - Science Experiments and Nature Studies, Macmillan Instant
Activities Program, @ 1982 Macmillan Educational Go |
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Resources: Bill Nye video - Sun |
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Notes: |
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Stage 1: Identify Desired Results |
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State: |
KS |
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Title: |
Science |
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Standard(s): |
Earth & Space Science: Benchmark 2: The
learner will describe and compare characteristics of objects that move in the
sky. Indicator #1: Observe the moon and stars. Indicator #2: Observe and compare the length of shadows. Indicator #3: Discuss that the sun provides light and heat
to maintain the temperature of the Earth. Ñ Benchmark 3: All students will develop skills necessary to
describe changes in the Earth and weather. Indicator #2: Observe, describe, and record daily weather
changes. |
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Understandings: |
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Overarching Patterns and cycles allow for predictions. Unit The Sun is essential to life on Earth. The relative motions of the sun, Earth, and
Earth’s moon result in predictable changes on earth. The length of shadows change throughout
the day based on the sun & earth’s position. Predictions can be made when patterns in
data are identified. |
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Essential Questions: |
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How do the sun, moon, and earth interact? Why do lengths of shadows change throughout the day? How does the sun provide light and heat to maintain the
temperature of the Earth? How do patterns and cycles allow for better predictions? |
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Knowledge and Skills: |
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K Lengths of shadows change throughout the day. The direct sunlight provides more heat than indirect
sunlight. The Earth revolves around the Sun. The Earth’s moon revolves around the Earth. The Earth and Moon movement patterns are predictable. S Observe the moon and stars. Observe and compare lengths of shadows. Observe, describe, and record daily weather changes. |
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Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence |
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Assessment Summary: |
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Student Directions: |
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You are a tour guide of Earth! Your job is to explain to
some visiting aliens the unique characteristics of Earth. Be sure to include
information about: ·
Lengths of shadows changing throughout the day. ·
The direct sunlight providing more heat than
indirect sunlight and the sun’s importance to life on Earth. ·
Star position in the sky. ·
The moon revolving around the Earth. Create a poster to assist you to show the aliens that the
Earth and Moon’s movement patterns are predictable. In each section of the
poster, you will need to include a written expository paragraph about each of
the four topics. Each section will also need a visual (diagrams, graphs, or
tables). |
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Rubric: |
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http://www.cheney268.com/3rd/SunMoon/sunmoon.htm |
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Other assessment evidence to be collected: |
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Moon movement chart Daily weather record Temperature reading chart for different outside locations Shadow changes graph |
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Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and
Instruction |
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Learning Activities: |
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Read a book about the moon, stars, and shadows. Watch
videos (Bill Nye the Science Guy; Chalkwaves-Science is Elementary - #4 –
Let’s Explore Lights and Shadows) |
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Observe the stars - Visit to Kansas Cosmosphere – Students
will watch a planetarium program about stars and relative movement. Once we return to school, students will choose one of the
star positions shown at the Cosmosphere.
Students will then use the Internet to search for pictures of their
chosen star(s). Students will sketch
the star patterns to use for their poster project. |
Observe the moon - On a day when moon is visible during
the day , students will go out on the school playground and sketch the
position of the moon in relation to a tree, rooftop, or building. Students
will use a teacher created chart. Students
will go outside four different times during the school day in order to see
movement.
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Observe & compare the lengths of shadows – Students
will participant in “You and Your Shadow” activity. See two scanned worksheets. The music teacher will teach the students the song “Me and
My Shadow”. |
Sun providing light and heat – Marshmallow Chipwich
activity – See scanned sheet
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Sun providing light and heat – Sun and Shade Activity –
See scanned sheet
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Record weather observations – In math, students will
observe, describe, and record daily weather changes.
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