IMPORTANT CONCEPTS YOUR STUDENT SHOULD KNOW AND ACTIVITIES TO DO AT HOME
PATTERNS IN THE SKY
DESCRIPTION
In this unit, students investigate the position of the sun and moon as it relates to making patterns across the sky. Students will use
tools and instruments during experiments and project based learning in order to observe, describe, and record patterns of objects in
the night sky and the daytime sky, such as the observable patterns of the stars and the Sun. Through their activities and experiences,
students should begin to think about how scientists construct patterns that relate to day/night cycles.
KEY WORDS TO KNOW
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Attributes-a quality or characteristic given to a person, group, or some
other thing.
Brightness-the quality of emitting or reflecting light
Constellation – a group of stars that form a pattern
Earth- the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet that we live on
Moon- the huge ball of rock that travels around the Earth
Night- the time between sunset and sunrise, when it is dark outside
Observation- to use the senses to find out about something
Pattern-something that repeats in a predictable way
Size-how big or how small an object is
Sky- the higher area above the ground
Star- a huge spinning ball of very hot gases
Sun- the star that gives light and heat to Earth
Rotate-to spin around
Shadow- a dark shaped created by an object blocking a light source
Sundial- an instrument that indicates the time of day by means of
position
Moon phases- the surface of the Moon appears to change
AT HOME VOCABULRY STRATEGIES
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Read aloud with your child.
Use vocabulary words in daily conversations.
Build a word wall or window.
Play simple vocabulary games.
Relate words to real life experiences.
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Children’s Literature (Available at your local public library or Amazon).
The Sun is My Favorite Star Frank Asch
What the Sun Sees, What the Moon Sees Nancy Tafuri
A pizza the Size of the Sun Jack Prelutsky (poetry)
What Makes Day and Night? F. M.Branley
The Greenwich guide to Day and Night G. Dolan
The Greenwich guide to Measuring Time G. Dolan
Twilight Comes Twice R. Fletcher
Rise the Moon Eileen Spinelli
The Moon Book Gail Gibbons
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me Eric Carle
The Moon Seems to Change Harper/Trophy
What the Moon is Like Harper/Trophy
When the Moon is Full Little, Brown and Company
The Moon Simon and Schuster
Hello, Harvest Moon Ralph Fletcher
Long Night Moon Cynthia Rylant
When the Moon is Full: A Lunar Year Penny Pollock
Earth is Tilting Storad, Conrad (located in eBook on MyBackpack)
Me and My Shadow Lily, Melinda (located in eBook on MyBackpack)
Seasons and Solstices Scholastic
Wake Up Wake Up Brian and Rebecca Wildsmith
The Sun: Our Nearest Star Frankyn Branley
PATTERNS IN THE SKY
Important Concepts
Addressed in this Unit
Sample Problems
How You Can Help Your Child
S2E1. Students will understand that
stars have different sizes, brightness,
and patterns.
a. Describe the physical
attributes of stars: size,
brightness, and patterns.
1. What is more likely to make a shadow, a
flower or a clear plastic bag? Explain your
thinking.
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2. Draw a picture of the Earth and the Moon.
Interactive Flash card activityhttps://quizlet.com/86766660/day-andnight-sky-flash-cards/
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(Online Earth, Moon, and Sun games)
Light and Shadows
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scien
ceclips/ages/7_8/light_shadows.sht
ml
Interactive Learning Games
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S2E2. Students will investigate the
position of sun and moon to show
patterns throughout the year.
a. Investigate the position of the
sun in relation to a fixed object
on earth at various times of a
day.
b. Determine how the shadows
change through the day by
making a shadow stick or using a
sundial.
c. Relate the length of the day and
night to the change in seasons
(for example: Days are longer
than the nights in summer.)
d. Use observations and charts to
record the shape of the moon for
a period of time.
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Earth, Moon, and Sun
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scien
ceclips/ages/9_10/earth_sun_moon.
shtml
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Interactive Day/Night and Seasons
http://www.ictgames.com/dayNight/
Day and Night game
http://primarygamesarena.com/Play/Da
y--Night-278
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3. Draw a picture of sunlight shining on the
Moon.
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