Download Introduction: Gravity

4th Grade Science: Astro-Adventures Curriculum Pacing Calendar
Big Ideas:
Earth is a sphere. Things on or near the Earth are pulled by the force of gravity. (4-5
ES1A)
The weight of an object is a measure of how strongly it is pulled down toward the
ground by gravity. A spring scale can measure the pulling force. (4-5 PS1A)
The sun is a star. It is central and the largest body in the Solar System. It is the
brightest thing in the sky. (4-5 ES1D)
Outdoor shadows are longest during the morning and evening, shortest during the
middle of the day. This indicates a change of the position of the sun. (2-3 ES1A)
Earth’s daily spin in relation to the sun caused day and night. (4-5 ES1B)
The moon has predictable phases that change how we view the moon from the Earth.
(1-2 ES1C)
Earth’s nearly circular yearly orbit around the sun causes us to see different
constellations at different times of the year. (4-5 ES1C)
Introduction
Gravity is a Mystery
Unit 1&2
Sun Watching and Sun Movement
Essential Questions:
What is gravity and what role does it play in the Earth, Sun, and moon system?
Describe the Earth and how gravity works on Earth.
Describe the sun and its role in the Solar System.
Why do outdoor shadows change throughout the day?
Describe what causes day and night to happen on Earth.
Why does the moon appear to change shape over time?
Describe what can be seen in the sky, such as: constellations and planets and
how our view changes throughout the year.
Unit 3
Moon Gazing
Conclusion
The Planets in the Solar System
*Pacing: approximately 2 weeks
*Pacing: approximately 2 weeks
*Pacing: approximately 2 weeks
*Pacing: approximately 2 weeks
What do you know? Preconceptions
(see notebook entries) (1 session 45
minutes)
Book: Gravity is a Mystery Read the
book and try the activities (all
Sun Watching Lessons 1-5 (9 sessions
Moon Gazing Lessons 1-4 (4 sessions
Book: The Planets in our Solar
System Read the book and try the
activities
Book: The Sky is Full of Stars Read
the book and try the activities
sessions with book and activities are
about 2-4 sessions of 45 minutes)
Bill Nye: Gravity DVD watch and
discuss (2-3 sessions of 45 minutes)
Book: Forces Make Things Move
Read and try the activities
*see book activity suggestions with notebook
entries
of approximately 45 minutes)
Sun Movement Lesson 1 (2 40 minute
sessions)
Book: The Sun our Nearest Star
Read the book and try the activities
Book: What Makes Day and Night
Read the book and try the activities
Book: Sunshine Makes the Seasons
Read the book and try the activities
*see book activity suggestions with notebook
entries
of approximately 45 minutes + 10 minute
check-in session daily for 4 weeks)
Book: The Moon Seems to Change
Read the book and try the activities
Book: What is the Moon Like
Read the book and try the activities
*see book activity suggestions with notebook
entries
*see book activity suggestions with notebook
entries
FORMATIVE AND SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT PLANS (assessment documents available on the district website)
Formative: Use the end of Unit Assessment
as a pre-assessment (make notes of students
understandings and lack of understanding)
Use notebook entries, essential questions and
participation to assess understanding
Use notebook entries, essential questions and
participation to assess understanding
Use notebook entries, essential questions and
participation to assess understanding
End of Unit Summative Assessment
(given at the end of the kit)
Meet with students that are unclear on questions/activities and provide them with additional instruction/practice.
1
REVISED September 2009
4th Grade Science: Astro-Adventures Curriculum Pacing Calendar
Introduction: Gravity
Unit 1&2 The Sun
Before you begin the kit:
Begin by giving the students the end of
unit assessment as a pre-test. After
the test have students set up their
science notebook and begin with a
reflection entry:
What do I know about Astronomy and
what questions do I have?
Gravity is a Mystery Lessons:
Begin each lesson with a reflection
entry on the essential question(s). After
each experience, students should have
something new to add to this question.
Before beginning Units 1 and 2:
Complete a reflection entry: Now what
do I know about Astronomy and what
questions do I have?
The Sun Lessons:
Begin each lesson with a reflection
entry on the essential question(s). After
each experience, students should have
something new to add to this question.
Essential Questions for Sun Lessons:
Unit 3 Moon Gazing
Conclusion Planets and Stars
Notebook Entry Suggestions
Essential Questions for the
Introduction:
What is gravity and what role does it
play in the Earth, Sun, and moon
system?
Describe the Earth and how gravity
works on Earth.
Note-taking and scientific drawings:
Have students use their notebooks to
take notes, add drawings, and write
down questions throughout their
experiences with gravity activities.
Describe the sun and its role in the
Solar System.
Why do outdoor shadows change
throughout the day?
Describe what causes day and night
to happen on Earth.
Before beginning Unit 3:
Complete a reflection entry: Now what
do I know about Astronomy and what
questions do I have?
Moon Gazing Lessons:
Begin each lesson with a reflection
entry on the essential question(s). After
each experience, students should have
something new to add to this question.
Essential Question for Moon Gazing
Lessons:
Before beginning the conclusion:
Complete a reflection entry: Now what
do I know about Astronomy and what
questions do I have?
Conclusion Lessons:
Begin each lesson with a reflection
entry on the essential question(s). After
each experience, students should have
something new to add to this question.
Essential Question for Conclusion:
Describe what can be seen in the sky,
such as: constellations and planets
and how our view changes
Notebook Entries: Be sure to have throughout the year.
students add all student activity sheets Note-taking and scientific drawings:
from the Moon lessons into their Have students use their notebooks to
Notebook Entries: Be sure to have notebooks.
take notes, add drawings, and write
students add all student activity sheets Note-taking and scientific drawings:
down questions throughout their
from the Sun lessons into their Have students use their notebooks to
experiences with conclusion
take notes, add drawings, and write
notebooks.
activities.
down questions throughout their
Note-taking and scientific drawings:
Have students use their notebooks to experiences with moon activities.
take notes, add drawings, and write
down questions throughout their
experiences with sun activities.
Why does the moon appear to
change shape over time?
2
REVISED September 2009
4th Grade Science: Astro-Adventures Curriculum Pacing Calendar
Vocabulary
Introduction: Gravity
astronomy
gravity
center
weight
pounds
friction
planet
mass
gravitational pull
force
moon
push
pull
-Glossary available on the district website
Unit 1&2 The Sun
astronomical
patterns
celestial
shadow
length
sun
energy
* words are from district added materials
Unit 3 Moon Gazing
moon
phases
horizon
reflects
lunar
face (shapes)
sequence
pattern
moon phases:
new
full
waxing crescent
waning crescent
third quarter
first quarter
waning gibbous
waxing gibbous
Conclusion Planets and Stars
planet
constellation
planetoid
solar system
telescope
satellite
asteroids
comets
meteoroids
million
horizon
star
billion
Common Student Misconceptions
-See notes in the Astro Binder for misconceptions by topic-Some students at this age believe that the Earth does not move and all objects rotate around the Earth
-Some students believe that the sun shines only during the day and then “turns off”
-Many students (through high school) believe that it is air that exerts a force that keeps us from falling of the Earth
-Students and adults often believe that gravity increases as your height above the Earth’s surface
-Explanations about the day and night cycle, season cycle, and moon cycle can be very confusing for students. Be sure that students master the
properties (shape) of the earth first.
-Understanding the Earth, sun, and moon system can be confusing, but understanding their relative sizes, distances, and interactions will help
clarify all of the cycles
Introduction: Gravity
Unit 1&2 The Sun
Unit 3 Moon Gazing
Conclusion Planets and Stars
Literature Box Stories
(see Science and Literature Support documents on-line for more information)
After you have completed
After you have completed
After you have completed
activities and readings for the
activities and readings for Unit
activities and readings for the
Introduction, read the story
3, read the story If You Decide
Conclusion, read the story
Nicolaus Copernicus. This book is
to Go to the Moon, by Faith
Benjamin Banneker. This book is
included in your literacy support
McNulty. This book is included in included in your literacy support
box.
your literacy support box.
box.
3
REVISED September 2009
4th Grade Science: Astro-Adventures Curriculum Pacing Calendar
Science Content/Thinking Skills and Standards
Introduction: Gravity
Unit 1&2 The Sun
Unit 3 Moon Gazing
Conclusion Planets and Stars
CONTENT
CONTENT
CONTENT
CONTENT
-Earth is a sphere and things on or near
the Earth are pulled by the force of
gravity. (4-5 ES1A)
-The weight of an object is a measure of
how strongly it is pulled down toward the
ground by gravity. A spring scale can
measure the pulling force. (4-5 PS1A)
-The sun is a star. It is central and the
largest body in the Solar System. It is the
brightest thing in the sky. (4-5 ES1D)
-Outdoor shadows are longest during the
morning and evening, shortest during the
middle of the day. This indicates a change
of the position of the sun. (2-3 ES1A)
-Earth’s daily spin in relation to the sun
caused day and night. (4-5 ES1B)
-The moon has predictable phases that
change how we view the moon from the
Earth. (1-2 ES1C)
-Earth’s nearly circular yearly orbit
around the sun causes us to see different
constellations at different times of the
year. (4-5 ES1C)
SYSTEMS
-Identify at least one of the subsystems of an object, plant or animal (4-5 SYSA)
-Specify how a system can do things that of its subsystems can do alone (4-5 SYSB)
-Describe what goes into (input) and out of a system (output) and describe what happens if inputs are changed (4-5 SYSC)
-Predict what might have if parts of a system are missing or broken (4-5 SYSD)
INQUIRY
-Identify questions being asked in an investigation and gather evidence that helps answer the question (4-5 INQA)
-Be able to plan an investigation that relates to the given question and be able to collaborate and select appropriate tools (4-5 INQB)
-Conduct or critique an experiment and share if it is fair or not (4-5 INQC)
-Gather, record, and organize data using appropriate units, tables, graphs or maps (4-5 INQD)
-Explain the need for additional trials (INQE)
-Create simple models, use the model to learn something, explain how the model is similar and different to the thing being modeled (4-5 INQF)
-Generate a conclusion based on evidence and scientific principles (4-5 INQG)
-Display findings, communicate findings, respond to questions/comments, and discuss differences in findings by others (4-5 INQH)
-Explain why records of observations must never be changed, even when observations do not match expectations (4-5 INQI)
Application
-Describe how people use technology to meet their needs (4-5 APPA)
-Give examples of how people around the world use different things to solve the problem (4-5 APPB)
-Define an problem and list criteria for a successful solution and research the problem to understand and need and see how others have solved the problem (4-5 APPC)
-Work with others to generate possible solutions (4-5 APPD)
-Use suitable tools, techniques, and materials to solve the problem and test the solution to see how well it will solve the problem (4-5 APPE)
-Communicate the solution effectively (4-5 APPF)
-Describe specific ways that science and technology have improved the quality of life (4-5 APPG)
-Describe careers that require people to apply knowledge and abilities in science and technology (4-5 APPH)
4
REVISED September 2009
4th Grade Science: Astro-Adventures Curriculum Pacing Calendar
FOSS Kit Outlines
Kindergarten:
Animals 2x2: Students explore some animals (fish, snails, isopods, and worms) and learn about body parts, needs, and behaviors
First Grade:
New Plants : Students explore plants and learn about life cycles, needs, and plant parts
Solids and Liquids: Students learn about and explore different states of matter. They learn about properties and observe and record
changes what occur during interactions, such as: mixing, dissolving, layering, and evaporating.
Air and Weather: Students learn about properties of air and find that it is matter that takes up space. They learn about and use basic
weather tools to gather information about temperature, rainfall, wind, clouds, and seasons. Students also observe movement of objects in
the sky, such as: clouds and the moon.
Second Grade:
Insects: Students explore insects and learn about life cycles, needs, and body parts.
Balance and Motion: Students explore stable and unstable systems. They learn how to use counterweights to change the center of mass.
They explore two classes of motion: spinning and rolling. Students begin to develop a sense of variables which they control to produce
desired outcomes.
Pebbles, Sand, and Silt: Students study the properties of rocks and soil. They group rocks based on various properties. They also study
properties of soils and explore how they are used as building materials.
Third Grade:
Physics of Sound: Students explore sounds as a product of a vibrating object. They explore variables that determine sound pitch and
amplification and compare how sound travels through air, water, and solids. They learn about sound sources and receivers.
Earth Materials: Students learn about 12 of the most important rocks and minerals. They learn that rocks are a combination of minerals.
Students explore properties of rocks learn to sort and identify them.
Measurement: Students learn about measurement and tackle various measurement activities. This supports later activities in science that
require measurement skills.
Fourth Grade:
Astro-Adventures: Students learn about the various topics: gravity, earth, sun, and moon system, day and night, moon phases, and objects
in the sky.
Water: Students explore properties of water in its three common states: solid, liquid, and gas. They observe and record what happens with
water is changed. Students also explore the water cycle and how it can be used to improve our lives.
Magnets and Electricity: Students explore permanent magnetism, electrical circuits, and electromagnetism.
5
REVISED September 2009
4th Grade Science: Astro-Adventures Curriculum Pacing Calendar
EALR 4: EARTH and SPACE SCIENCE
Grade Level Progression of Big Ideas
The Big
Ideas
Grades
9-11
Earth in Space
Earth Systems, Structures, and Processes
Earth History
Evolution of the Universe
Energy in Earth Systems
Evolution of the Earth
Energy from the Sun drives our weather system
and climate, while energy from Earth’s interior
drives the rock cycle and crustal plates.
Physical principles apply to the origin and
development of the Earth and the Universe.
Courses
Grades
6-8
Earth Science
Earth Science
Evidence provided by natural radioactive
material has made it possible to determine
the age of different structures and Earth as a
planet.
Earth Science
The Solar System
Cycles in Earth Systems
Evidence of Change
Our Solar System in held together by gravity.
Moon phases and eclipses are explained.
KITS
Grades
4-5
Astronomy Unit and Weather and Water
Earth in Space
Earth is spherical in shape. It spins on its axis
and orbits the Sun.
KITS
Grades
2-3
KITS
Grades
K-1
KITS
Earth is interacting system of solids, liquids, and Layers of rocks and different types of fossils
gases. Important Earth processes include the
provide clues to how conditions on Earth
water cycle and rock cycle.
have changed over time.
Earth Science
Earth Science
Formation of Earth Materials
Earth materials are formed by various natural
processes and can used in a variety of ways.
Astro-Adventures
Earth Materials (3rd Grade)
The Sun’s Daily Motion
Water and Weather
The Sun and Moon have patterns of
movement that can be inferred by observing
and recording shadows cast by the Sun.
Astro-Adventure (4th grade)
Observing the Sun and Moon
The Sun and Moon have patterns of
movement that can be recorded.
Air and Weather (1st Grade)
Focus on Fossils
Fossils provide evidence that environments
of the past were quite different from what we
observe today.
Pebbles (2nd Grade) Earth Materials (3rd Grade)
Water is essential in Earth systems. This is seen
by observing and recording changes in weather
patterns and Earth formations.
Air and Weather (1st Grade) Water (4th Grade)
Properties of Change
Earth materials have various properties.
Pebbles (2nd Grade) Earth Materials (3rd Grade)
6
REVISED September 2009
4th Grade Science: Astro-Adventures Curriculum Pacing Calendar
Additional Resources
Websites:
NASA for kids
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html
Astronomy for kids
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/
Enchanted Learning: Astronomy
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/
FOSS Web
http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/SunMoonandStars/index.html
Field Trips:
 Pacific Science Center, Seattle: http://www.pacsci.org/
 Western Washing University Planetarium:
http://www.wwu.edu/depts/skywise/
7
REVISED September 2009