2016-17 Curriculum Blueprint
Grade: 6th
Course Descriptions: Earth/Space
Approximate
Time:
Unit #8: Earth, Moon, Sun
Quarter 3
3 weeks
Unit Overview
Students for this unit will discuss the impact of objects in space on each other. Students will explain how the tilt of the earth and its location around the
sun influences seasons. Students will understand the Law of Universal Gravitation and apply it to the relationship between the sun, the Earth and the
moon. Students will describe the impact of the moon on the Earth through explanations of moon phases as observed from Earth, high and low tides
(Spring and Neap tides) and solar and lunar eclipses.
Learning Goal
Sample Essential Questions
Students will be able to:
 Explain the impact of objects in space on each other.
 How would our lives be different if the earth was not tilted on its axis?
 Explain the relationship between the Earth’s axis tilt and the
 How would the number of eclipses change if the moon did not have a
seasons.
tilted orbit?
 Describe how the moon causes eclipses and phases.
 Explain the correlation between phases, tides and eclipses.
Learning Scales Self-Assessment
Focus Standards
SC.8.E.5.9 (AA) Explain the impact of objects in space on each other including: the Sun on the Earth including seasons and gravitational attraction the
Moon on the Earth, including phases, tides, and eclipses, and the relative position of each body.
Suggested Unit End Product or Teaching Task
Using a model as a reference, create a power point that shows and describes 1) how axis tilt causes the seasons, 2) what would happen if there was NO
tilt and 3) what would happen if the tilt was 90*. Students present at your discretion. OR
Using a model as a reference, create a power point that shows and describes 1) how moon motion causes eclipses and phases, 2) what would happen if
there was NO tilt of the moon’s orbit and 3) how phases and tides and eclipses correlate.
Literacy Design Collaborative Link
Writing Recursive Standards
Reading Recursive Standards
LAFS.68.RST.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the
LAFS.68.RST.2.5 Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text,
narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or
including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an
technical processes.
understanding of the topic.
LAFS.68.WHST.2.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the
development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience.
6th grade Earth/Space Science DRAFT
Text Support
NOTE: Before clicking on a youtube link , open youtube browser and
click agree

How we measure time article: Brief History of Time
Measurement Use Literacy Design Collaborative Link for literacy
task.
 Moon Phases Moon phase Power Point
 Gravity v. Inertia Gravity vs. Inertia Power Point
 Solar Eclipses Solar Eclipse Power Point
 Tides Tides Power Point
 iScience Textbook: Chapter 18 “Sun, Earth, Moon System
 Crash Course Kids(youtube) Seasons; Rotation & Revolution;
Down to Earth
Extended Learning:
 Graphing the Tides—Seeing patterns base on tidal movement
Graphing Tides

Suggested Labs, Activities and Tasks
Seasons Interactive SC.8.E.5.9: Seasons Interactive

Eclipse Lab SC.8.E.5.9: Eclipses

Sun and Earth Animation SC.8.E.5.9: Seasons interactive

Moon Phase Lab SC.8.E.5.9: Lunar Lollipops

Tides Virtual Lab SC.8.E.5.9 : Tides Activity
6th grade Earth/Space Science DRAFT