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Readers Sun, Moon, and Stars: A Cosmic Case by Emily Sohn and Adam Harter Science Objective As they read this book, children also observe the regular patterns of the Sun, Moon, and stars in the sky, discovering that these patterns result from how these objects move, or appear to move. Children learn how the rotation of Earth on its axis is responsible for night and day, and how its orbit around the Sun is responsible for the changes in seasons. Children discover that they can tell time by looking at shadows and the position of the Sun. iScience Puzzle: A Cosmic Whodunit Materials In order to discover the identity of a bank robber, children • gooseneck must first learn about the movement of the Sun, Moon, and • softball stars in the sky. Each section of this book gives clues that • swivel help children solve the puzzle. • table lamp chair Objectives Children will: • learn that the Moon travels around Earth. • observe the phases of the Moon and discover why the Moon changes its appearance. • understand that Earth travels around the Sun. • investigate why the Sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west every day. • learn about stars and their positions in the nighttime sky. Sun, Moon, and Stars: A Cosmic Case www.nor woodhousepress.com Teacher Notes • 1 Lesson Plan Before Reading Investigation Science Concepts To explore what children know about the Sun, Moon, and stars, create a KWL chart for each object on the board. Ask leading questions to help them fill out the What I Know column. For example, ask: Does the Moon always look the same? Where is the Sun at noon? Accessing prior knowledge gets children thinking about the topic. Before children read this book, you may want them to study the Moon over a month and record its changes. Then they can relate what they have seen to the information they will learn in this book. Making observations is fundamental to the study of science. Explain that children will study the Sun, Moon, and stars and learn that these objects move through the sky in regular patterns. They will discover what causes the phases of the Moon; what causes night and day; how seasons change depending on the path of the Sun; and how people can use stars to navigate. Encourage children to observe changes in the daytime and nighttime sky and record their investigations as they answer the questions in the book. During Reading Investigation Science Concepts pp. 6–7: Have volunteers identify the essential clues in each suspect’s story. Write them on the board, and refer to them as children read the book. The Moon can appear in the day and night. p. 10: This activity can also be done with three The Moon orbits Earth. Earth orbits the Sun. children: Have one child be the Moon, and circle another child representing Earth; the third child shines a light. Instruct the “Moon” to walk in a circle so that he or she is always facing “Earth.” This will help children understand why the far side of the Moon can never be seen from Earth. Earth blocks the Sun’s light when it is between the Moon and the Sun. pp. 11–13: Tell children to record where the Sun and Moon are in the sky. Have them draw diagrams of the Moon as it goes through its phases. Ask: What phase was the Moon in last night? What phase will the Moon be in, in two weeks? Add facts to the What I Learned column in the KWL chart. The Moon travels in a regular pattern during a month. The phases of the Moon are caused by the illumination of the Sun that can be seen from Earth. Sun, Moon, and Stars: A Cosmic Case www.nor woodhousepress.com Teacher Notes • 2 During Reading (continued) Investigation Science Concepts pp. 14–15: Conduct the Discover Activity again. Ask: Do you think Earth spins slowly or quickly? Why would Earth need to change position very slowly in this activity? Making observations is fundamental to the study of science. pp. 16–21: Make sure children understand that Earth makes a complete orbit of the Sun in one year before you address the fact that Earth makes one rotation each day. Seasons change depending on Earth’s position during its orbit around the Sun. Day and night are related to Earth’s position during its rotation on its axis. Add these facts to the What I Learned column in the KWL chart. The Sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west because Earth is rotating. Earth orbits the Sun in one year and rotates on its axis every 24 hours. Earth’s rotation causes day and night. When a location on Earth is facing the Sun, it is daytime. p. 21: Discuss why Diz Aster is telling the truth. In The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. late afternoon in winter, the Sun would shine in a window on the west side of a building. p. 22: Bring children outside during different hours of the day, if possible, and have them measure the different lengths of the shadows. Have them record this information in a chart. Then have them use their observations to discuss whether Troy Bell is lying. p. 24: Refer to the first column of the KWL chart before children read about stars. Ask them if they can add anything to this column now that they understand more about Earth and the Sun. Shadows are the areas of darkness created when an object blocks the Sun’s light. Stars are suns that are far away from Earth. They have different sizes and brightnesses. pp. 25–26: Continue adding facts to the second column of the KWL chart. Relate the North Star to legends or explorers that children have read about. Stars appear to change position because of Earth’s rotation. p. 27: Bring in connect-the-dots drawings of Using models is a valid approach to studying science. constellations to give children a hands-on activity. p. 28: Have children state in their own words why they know that three suspects were telling the truth and one was lying. p. 29: Encourage children to continue to observe and record changes in the Moon, lengths of shadows, and changes in the seasons over the next months. Scientific thinking processes help build explanations for scientific observations. Making observations is fundamental to the study of science. Sun, Moon, and Stars: A Cosmic Case www.nor woodhousepress.com Teacher Notes • 3 After Reading Restate the key ideas in the book. The Moon orbits around Earth over a period of 29 days. It reflects light from the Sun as it orbits, which accounts for its phases. Earth orbits around the Sun, and turns on its axis over a period of 24 hours. Stars are suns that are far away from Earth and can be seen in groups called constellations. Stars appear to move because of Earth’s rotation. Encourage children to restate the main ideas in their own words. Investigation Understanding Science Have children review the information recorded in the KWL chart. Invite them to add information to the third column, What I Want to Know. Ask: What would you like to know more about? How can you find out? Choose one or two of their topics to explore as a class activity. Research skills are tremendously important in science. Sun, Moon, and Stars: A Cosmic Case www.nor woodhousepress.com Teacher Notes • 4