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Standard 6.E.1 - Understand the Earth/Moon/Sun system, and the properties, structures and
predictable motions of celestial bodies in the Universe
Misconceptions-
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If the Earth had no moon, there would be no tides.
Stars and constellations do not rise and set, but remain in the same location
throughout the night.
Locations closer to the equator always have more hours of daylight than do
regions farther north or south.
Stars “disappear” during the day
Suggested Learning Progression
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Differentiate between revolution and rotation.
Differentiate between solar and lunar eclipses.
Explore the cause of Earth’s seasons
Explore the cause of Earth’s tides.
Describe how the movement of the earth, sun and moon cause the phases of the
moon seen on Earth.
Analyze how the changing angles of sunlight produce seasons
Describe what properties are required for life to exist on a planet.
Analyze the atmosphere of other planets in our solar system and compare them to
Earth.
Describe how Earth is unique in its ability to support life.
Summarize general understands of space exploration and how humans have
benefited from them.
Summarize the history of space exploration
Identify how space technology is used on Earth
Clarifying Objective 6.E.1.1 - Explain how the relative motion and relative position of the sun,
Earth and moon affect the seasons, tides, phases of the moon, and eclipses.
Suggested Essential Question –
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What causes the seasons on Earth?
How do the motions of the Earth and our moon affect our lives?
What happens during an eclipse?
Key Vocabulary
Direct / Indirect Sunlight
Eclipse (Solar, Lunar)
Gravitational Forces
Revolution (orbit)
Rotation
Seasons
© 2015 WSFCS Science Instructional Services
Tides (Neap, Spring)
The student will need to know…
The moon's orbit around the earth once in about 28 days changes what part of the moon is
lighted by the sun and how much of that part can be seen from the earth--the phases of
the moon.
Earth is the only body in the solar system that appears able to support life. The other
planets have compositions and conditions very different from the earth's.
Clarifying Objective 6.E.1.2 - Explain why Earth sustains life while other planets do not based
on their properties (including types of surface, atmosphere and gravitational force) and location to
the Sun
Suggested Essential Questions -
Why does Earth sustain life while the other planets do not?
How does space exploration affect our lives?
Key Vocabulary
Atmospheric Gases
The student will need to know…
Earth can sustain life based on its type of surface, gravitational force, and its location to the Sun.
Other planets do not appear to sustain life based on their properties and their locations to the Sun.
Clarifying Objective 6.E.1.3- Summarize space exploration and the understandings gained from
them.
Suggested Essential Questions –
How does space exploration affect our lives?
Key Vocabulary
Black Hole
Chandra X-ray Observatory
Fermi-Gamma-ray Telescope
Hubble telescope
International Space Station
Probes
The student will need to know…
The spin-off benefits generated by space exploration technology including:
o Medical / future research
o Materials
o Transportation
o Processes
© 2015 WSFCS Science Instructional Services
Formative Assessment Probes –
Darkness at Night Vol. 2 (PG 171)
Where do Stars Go? Vol. 3 (PG 191)
Emmy’s Moon and Stars Vol. 2 (PG 177)
Moonlight Vol. 4 (PG 181)
Objects In the Sky Vol. 2 (PG 185)
Lunar Eclipse Vol. 4 (PG 187)
Summer Talk Vol. 3 (PG 177)
Solar Eclipse Vol. 4 (PG 193)
Vertical Alignment1.E.1.2 Recognize patterns of observable changes in the Moon’s appearance from day to day
3.E.1.1 Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the solar system that includes the
sun (a star), planets, and many moons and the earth is the third planet from the sun in our
solar system.
3.E.1.2 Recognize that changes in the length and direction of an object’s shadow indicate the
apparent changing position of the Sun during the day although the patterns of the stars in the
sky, to include the Sun, stay the same.
4.E.1.1 Explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of Earth on its axis.
4.E.1.2 Explain the monthly changes in the appearance of the moon, based on the moon’s
orbit around the Earth.
EEn.1.1.1 Explain the Earth’s motion through space, including precession, nutation, the
barycenter, and its path about the galaxy.
EEn.1.1.2 Explain how the Earth’s rotation and revolution about the Sun affect its shape and
is related to seasons and tides.
© 2015 WSFCS Science Instructional Services