Earth, Moon, and Sun: Teacher Packet
Transcript of Earth, Moon, and Sun: Teacher Packet
Earth, Moon, and Sun: Teacher Packet
Compiled by:
Morehead State University Star Theatre
with help from Bethany DeMoss
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1
Corresponding Standards 2
Vocabulary 4
The Earth, Moon, & Sun (Primary) 5
Learning the Phases of the Moon (Middle Grades) 13
References 15
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Corresponding Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
1-ESS1-1
1-ESS1-1. Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns
that can be predicted. [Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could
include that the sun and moon appear to rise in one part of the sky, move
across the sky, and set; and stars other than our sun are visible at night but not
during the day.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of star patterns is limited
to stars being seen at night and not during the day.]
1-ESS1-3
Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to
the time of year. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on relative comparisons
of the amount of daylight in the winter to the amount in the spring or fall.]
[Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to relative amounts of daylight,
not quantifying the hours or time of daylight.]
5-ESS1-1
5-ESS1-1. Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of
the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from Earth.
[Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to relative distances, not sizes,
of stars. Assessment does not include other factors that affect apparent
brightness (such as stellar masses, age, stage).]
5-ESS1-2
5-ESS1-2. Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily
changes in length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal
appearance of some stars in the night sky. [Clarification Statement: Examples
of patterns could include the position and motion of Earth with respect to the
sun and selected stars that are visible only in particular months.] [Assessment
Boundary: Assessment does not include causes of seasons.]
6-ESS1-1
06-ESS1-1. Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to
describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and
seasons. [Clarification Statement: Examples of models can be physical,
graphical, or conceptual.]
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Kentucky Department of Education, Social Studies Standards
S.S 2.20 Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective
S.S 2.20 (4th
) Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective
S.S 2.16 (5th
) Students observe, analyze, and interpret human behaviors, social groupings, and institutions to better understand people and the relationships among individuals and among groups.
S.S 2.17 (5th
) Students interact effectively and work cooperatively with the many ethnic and cultural groups of our nation and world.
S.S 2.20 (5th Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective
S.S 2.16 (6th
) Students observe, analyze, and interpret human behaviors, social groupings, and institutions to better understand people and the relationships among individuals and among groups.
S.S 2.17 (6th
) Students interact effectively and work cooperatively with the many ethnic and cultural groups of our nation and world.
S.S 2.20 (6th
) Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective
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Vocabulary: Earth, Moon, and Sun
Vocabulary Words Definitions
Moon the Earth’s natural satellite that shines by the sun’s reflected light
Sun yellow star located in the center of our solar system made up of gas
Misconception a mistaken thought caused from misunderstanding
Sundial Ancient tool showing the time of day using the sun’s shadow
Rotation turning motion, like a wheel, around an axis
Axis an imaginary line around which an object rotates
Craters a bowl shaped depression on the surface of our moon caused by a meteorite
Lunar Phases Different views of the moon as it orbits around the Earth during its month long cycle
Solar Eclipse the blocking of sun’s light by the moon, they are perfectly in line with each other.
Constellations group of stars forming a shape, there are officially 88 (Orion, Ursa Minor)
Neil Armstrong United States astronaut, the first man to step foot on the moon
American Indians/ Native Americans a member of any indigenous peoples in North, Central or South America
Atmosphere gas around an astronomical object, the Earth has an atmosphere
Climate the average weather in a certain region over a number of years
Myth a traditional story explaining natural phenomena not based on scientific fact
Hemisphere half of a sphere
Orbit path of a planet, satellite, or moon
Seasons the separation of a year based on the climate
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Earth, Moon, & Sun From: Bethany DeMoss
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Created by: Bethany DeMoss
The Earth, Moon, and Sun an Activity for Elementary Students
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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 1
Index and Packet Overview Page 1
Teacher Instruction Page 2
Earth, Moon, and Sun Questions Page 3
Student Copies Page 4
This activity is designed for elementary students, 1st – 5th grades. The object of this activity is to
actively engage young learners in earth and space science. The activity can be used in many
ways: review or a game. This packet provides teacher instruction, student copies, material list,
and student questions. The activity is to be used for teachers and students in a classroom
setting. This activity can be copied and used to promote student learning.
This activity was designed to be aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
The standards this activity meets are listed below.
1-ESS1-1
1-ESS1-2
5-ESS1-1
5-ESS1-2
Packet Overview
Index
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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 2
To complete this activity, students should already have a basic understanding of the Earth,
Moon, and Sun system. You should begin this activity by passing out the student copies (at the
end of this packet) to your students. Students will color and cut out each object to begin. Then
have your students glue their objects to popsicle sticks. This will complete the first step of the
activity.
The second step is to begin the instruction with your students. This activity takes both student
and teacher participation. There are two approaches to which you can complete this activity.
The simple review method is to have students answer questions by raising their Earth, Moon, or
Sun stick. All questions (listed later in the packet) can be answered with one of these answers.
This review method will allow you as the teacher to see how well your students are doing with
the concept at hand.
The game method of this activity works with both younger and older students, however it is
easier completed with upper elementary students. You will also be asking students the
questions and have them answer using their Earth, Moon, and Sun sticks. However, try dividing
your students into groups. Have each group delegate a member of their group to hold up the
answer to each question. Keep track of their score on your classroom board. The team to raise
their answer first gets the point! This keeps students actively engaged, they love to get
competitive.
Note: To keep Earth, Moon, and Sun sticks in longer lasting condition, laminate after students
have cut and colored.
Materials for Students
Student Copies
Popsicle Sticks
Glue
Colored Pencils, Crayons, Markers, etc.
Scissors
Teacher Instruction
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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 3
Question Answer
Which is a ball of gas? Sun
Which can humans live on? Earth
Raise the one that orbits the Earth. Moon
Which has water? Earth
Which has craters? Moon
Which can we not visit? Sun
Which is a star? Sun
Raise the one with four seasons Earth
Which one gives us four seasons? Sun
Which one can we visit? Moon
Which one gives off light? Sun
Which one has oceans? Earth
Which one is really bright even though its far away?
Sun
Which one is closest to the Earth? Moon
Which one is biggest? Sun
Which takes 3 days to get to by space ship?
Moon
Which one warms us? Sun
Which one looks blue and green from space?
Earth
Which one looks like it changes shape? Moon
Which one has air? Earth
Questions for Step Two
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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 4
Student Coloring Pages
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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 5
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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 6
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Learning the Phases of the Moon From: Education.com
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References for Activities
The Earth, Moon, & Sun
DeMoss, Anna B. “The Earth, Moon, & Sun.” Morehead State University Star Theatre. 1 July
2014.
Learning the Phases of the Moon
"Thousands of Worksheets,educational Games, and More!" Education.com.
Education.com, 2011. Web. 13 July 2014. <http://www.education.com/>.
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