Download Sun, Moon and Stars - Siemens Science Day

SUN, MOON, AND STARS
(1 Hour)
Addresses NGSS
Level of Difficulty: 1
Grade Range: K-2
OVERVIEW
In this activity, students will learn their place in the solar system among the sun, moon and other planets.
They will discuss how the movement of the Earth and moon cause daylight and moonlight.
Topic: Properties of Matter
Real-World Science Topics
• A review of our solar system and the location of the planets, moon, and stars
• An evaluation of how the Earth, moon, and sun move in relation to each other
• An evaluation of the Earth’s rotation around the sun and the patterns of day and night
Objective
After completing this activity, students should be able to differentiate between solar system, Milky Way,
and galaxy. They should be familiar with the planets in our Milky Way system and discuss the location of the
sun, Earth, and moon within the Milky Way. They should be able to explain the connection between Earth’s
rotation and the existence of day and night.
NGSS Three-Dimensions
Science and Engineering
Practices
Analyzing and
Interpreting Data
• Use observations (first hand
or from media) to describe
patterns in the natural world
in order to answer scientific
questions.
Disciplinary
Core Ideas
E-SS1-A:
• Patterns of the motion of
the sun, moon, and stars
in the sky can be observed,
described, and predicted.
Crosscutting
Concepts
Patterns
• Patterns in the natural and
human designed world can
be observed, used to describe
phenomena, and used as
evidence.
Asking Questions and
Defining Analyzing and
Interpreting Data
• Use and share pictures,
drawings, and/or writings
of observations.
• Use observations (firsthand
or from media) to describe
patterns and/or relationships
in the natural and designed
world(s) in order to answer
scientific questions and solve
problems.
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SUN, MOON, AND STARS
Background Information
What is the solar system?
The solar system includes the planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and minor planets. The sun is the star at the
center of the solar system. Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way galaxy includes
millions of different stars, each of which has a solar system. (Sometimes there are binary solar systems that
include stars that orbit each other.) The Universe includes all of space. The Milky Way is just one galaxy in
the infinite number of galaxies in the Universe.
How do the sun, moon, and Earth’s motions relate to one another?
The sun is orbited (or circled) by the Earth over the course of 365 days. Our moon is Earth’s satellite, orbiting
the Earth every 27 days.
How do daylight and night time occur on Earth?
The Earth moves in a rotating motion and takes 24 hours to make a complete rotation. As the Earth is
moving, the moon is rotating around the Earth. Consequently, if the Earth’s eastern hemisphere is facing
the sun humans are exposed to light and brightness. Simultaneously, the western half of the Earth is facing
away from the sun and is therefore “dark.”
Key Vocabulary
Milky Way – A system that can be comprised of millions of stars that have their own solar systems
Solar System – (Our solar system) includes the sun with its planets and their natural satellites such as Earth’s
moon; dwarf planets such as Pluto and Ceres; asteroids; comets and meteoroids
Sun – A star made up of 92% Hydrogen and 7.8% Helium, which is at the center of our Universe, held together
by its own gravity and enables life to exist on Earth
Moon – Earth’s satellite, made up of a rocky, solid-surface body, with much of its surface cratered and pitted
from impacts
Earth – A rocky planet, also known as a terrestrial planet, with a solid and dynamic surface of mountains,
valleys, canyons, plains, which is covered primarily by water and inhabited by human beings
Star – A fragment of gas and dust that has, over time (millions of years), become so hot and dense that
a chemical reaction causes its substance to change and form into the stars we see
Orbit – The curved path of a celestial object around a star, planet, or moon
Satellite – A celestial body orbiting the Earth or other planet
Materials Needed for Activity
• Flashlight
• Chart paper
• Marker for chart paper
• Object for cutting craft spheres
• Markers
• Pencils
• Three balls of varying sizes (e.g., extra large, medium, and small)
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SUN, MOON, AND STARS
For Each Group
• Solar System Diagram handout
• Paintbrushes (for paint and glue)
• Paint in assorted colors (recommend primary colors)
• Containers for paint (if needed)
• Set of images from Photobank
• Image 1 (A central view of the Earth with the moon and Sun)
Strip the Cosmos: File 3352_ep102_028.jpg
• Image 2 (A view of the Earth from the moon’s position)
Strip the Cosmos: File 3352_ep104_032.jpg
• Image 3 (A view of the sky from Earth)
Generic: File DNICORE2K13_005.jpg
• Image 4 (The sun)
Strip the Cosmos: File 33522_ep102_028.jpg
• Image 5 (Milky Way)
How the Universe Works 3: File 33521_ep307_005.jpg
• Image 6 (Milky Way)
How the Universe Works: File 20343_GALAXIES_still_1_030C.jpg
• Tag board
• Liquid glue
• Styrofoam craft spheres in different sizes
Discovery Education Web Resource
• The Earth’s Movement Around the Sun
Web Resources
Note: Always preview websites before using with students.
http://www.planetsforkids.org/
General information about the solar system and each planet
https://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/OurUniverse.html
European Space Agency site for kids
http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/earthandbeyond/
Information about the solar system, what causes day and night, etc.
http://www.science4us.com/SCO/act_867/index.aspx?aid=867&cid=P-0
Information about the planets and the solar system
Teacher Preparation
Cut the craft balls in half.
Print the Solar System Diagram handout per groups of 3-4 students.
Prep the paint by pouring in containers per group. Place paintbrushes with paint.
Hang the tag board in a location visible to the students for demonstration.
Have available the remaining materials.
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STEPS FOR
SUN, MOON, AND STARS
1.
Warm-up Activity: Distribute the lesson images (below) to each group. Direct students to discuss
what they see in the pictures. Then, lead a discussion identifying what is in each photo beginning with
Image 1 and concluding in sequential order. In this way, students will be able to discuss what is familiar
and expand to what may be unfamiliar. As you discuss each picture, begin to explain the concept of the
solar system that is known to us as being part of the larger Milky Way galaxy. This Milky Way galaxy is
just one of many galaxies in the infinite universe.
2.
Show students the three balls of varying sizes. Explain to them that the larger one represents the sun,
the medium one represents Earth, and the smaller one represents the moon. Ask for three volunteers
to come up and hold the balls. Explain to students that the three volunteers will be demonstrating the
movement of the sun, moon, and Earth to the class.
3.
Guide each student as to how they should move. (The sun should stand still in the middle. The Earth
should revolve around the sun, rotating as it travels. The moon should revolve around Earth, rotating so
it always shows the same face to Earth.) As students carefully move around, explain what is happening.
Explain that it takes one year for Earth to travel around the sun, one day for the Earth to spin around,
and about one month for the moon to travel around Earth.
4.
Use the flashlight to show students how the sun shines onto Earth, creating daytime on one half of the
planet and nighttime on the other half. Demonstrate for students that sunlight and darkness travel to
different areas of Earth because Earth spins on its axis. It takes 24 hours for this process to finish and
begin again. Point out to students that some sunlight falls onto the moon and is reflected to Earth in
the form of moonlight.
5.
View the video “The Earth’s Movement Around the Sun” and have students discuss what they learned.
Use the video to help clear up any misconceptions students have about how the Earth moves around
the sun.
6.
Explain to students that they are going to learn the names of some of the other planets in our solar
system. Organize students into small groups and distribute a copy of the Solar System Diagram handout
to each group. Guide students to find the Earth, sun, and moon. Then, call on students to tell you the
names of the other planets they see. Help students identify the other planets as needed.
7.
Next, tell students that they will work in their groups to make a model of the solar system. Help students
with this activity by doing the following on a sample board:
• Demonstrate how to figure out where to place the planets on tag board. Show students how to use
the Solar System Diagram handout as a guide for where to place each planet and the sun.
• Sketch the locations of the planets on the sample board.
• Show students how to paint the Earth craft sphere and glue it into the correct position.
• Paint a sample planet. Demonstrate the importance of using a minimal amount of paint and keep
paint off the bottom of the craft ball.
• Model for students how to shadow or color the perimeter of the Earth to show day and night.
• Demonstrate how to glue the materials to the board.
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STEPS FOR
SUN, MOON, AND STARS
8.
Have each group share their models with the rest of the class. As they are sharing, talk about the
similarities among the projects. Discuss the location of the sun, moon, and Earth and where day
and night are represented in each group’s model.
9.
Ask
•
•
•
•
questions to determine students’ level of understanding, such as the following:
What did you learn about the solar system today?
How does the moon move around Earth?
How does the Earth move around the sun?
Why do we have daytime and nighttime on Earth?
Extension Activity
Students will work together to create art projects showing the phases of the moon. Students may do this by
1) conducting research on the Internet (with adult supervision) to view the phases of the moon or 2) observing
(with a responsible adult) the moon once a week for four weeks and drawing what they see. After one
month, students will display their artwork in the classroom. Students should be encouraged to use whatever
art materials they like to create their projects.
Source
Photo
Solar System Diagram
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Planets2013.jpg
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IMAGES FOR
SUN, MOON, AND STARS
Image 1
Image 2
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IMAGES FOR
SUN, MOON, AND STARS
Image 3
Image 4
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IMAGES FOR
SUN, MOON, AND STARS
Image 5
Image 6
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IMAGES FOR
SUN, MOON, AND STARS
Solar System Diagram
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