Grade 1
CPSD Science Curriculum Guide
Domain: Earth and Space Science
2015-2016
Unit 1: Sky Patterns
Unit Overview
In this unit, students will observe, describe, and predict some patterns of the amount of sunlight and the movement of
objects in the sky.
The Performance Expectations of this unit expect students to demonstrate grade-appropriate proficiency in using
observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted; and making observations at
different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year.
(See NGSS Evidence Statements for end of grade expectations)
Science and Engineering Practices
Students will use the following practices to develop and demonstrate understanding of the core ideas as they
investigate a set of guiding questions.
•
•
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Crosscutting Concepts
Students will use the following concepts to deepen their understanding of the core ideas, and make connections
between science topics.
•
Patterns
Guiding Questions for this Unit:
1. What Do You See in the Sky?
2. Where is the Sun in the Sky?
3. How Long is the Sun in the Sky?
4. Where is the Moon in the Sky?
5. Where are the Stars in the Sky?
As part of the revision process it became clear that this NGSS unit needed to be addressed over
the course of the year and not be contained to just one instructional block of time.
The recommended lessons provided in this guide are specifically addressing each guiding question.
Additional resources are available that may also address the performance expectations. These additional
resources can be found on the district website linked to the SharePoint files.
Unit 1: NGSS Earth & Space Science
Clover Park School District
Page 1
Grade 1
CPSD Science Curriculum Guide
Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles
Unit 1: NGSS Earth & Space Science
Clover Park School District
2015-2016
Page 2
Grade 1
CPSD Science Curriculum Guide
2015-2016
Recommended Learning Activities 1st Grade Earth & Space Science Concepts
Sample Instructional Sequence
Science & Engineering Practices
Cross Cutting Concepts
Guiding Question: What do you see in the sky?
FOSS: Air & Weather, Investigation 4, part 3
*focus on moon pattern shape and not names of moon phase
ScienceNetLinks.com (Sky Lesson 1 Only)
Lesson 1: Objects in the Sky
Planning and Carrying Out Observations
Students make observations of things they see in
the sky over multiple days and at different times
of the day.
Guiding Question: Where is the sun in the sky?
FOSS: Air & Weather, Investigation 2, Extension
Sunset Video:
https://vimeo.com/album/2986126/video/109490177
Planning and Carrying Out Observations
Students make observations about sun location
in the sky throughout the day.
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Patterns
Where do we see the sun at
different times of the day?
What patterns do we see about
the sun?
Students use observation data to discover
patterns and make predictions.
Guiding Question: How long is the sun in the sky?
FOSS: Air & Weather, Investigation 2, Extension
Sun moving across the sky video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN2RDobXhbg
Sun and Moon rise/set times
(this is for teacher access not student use)
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php
Planning and Carrying Out Observations
Students make observations about the amount
of day light during the day.
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Patterns
When does the sun come up?
When does the sun go down?
How much daylight do we have
at different times of the year?
Students use observation data to discover
patterns in the amount of day light at different
times of the year.
Guiding Question: Where is the moon in the sky?
FOSS: Air & Weather, Investigation 4, part 3
*focus on moon pattern shape and not names of moon phase
Moon Moving across the sky video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6JtbUP2TwM
ScienceNetLinks.com - Only Sky Lesson 4: The Moon
Planning and Carrying Out Observations
Students use observations, possibly through
media sources, about the moon location in the
sky.
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Patterns
Where do we see the moon at
different times of the day?
What patterns do we see about
the moon?
Students use observation data to discover
patterns and make predictions.
Guiding Question: When do we see the stars in the sky?
FOSS: Air & Weather, Investigation 4, part 3
*focus on moon pattern shape and not names of moon phase
Stars Moving Video:
https://vimeo.com/album/2986126/video/109492101
Unit 1: NGSS Earth & Space Science
Planning and Carrying Out Observations
Student use observations, possibly through media
sources, about when the starts are visible?
Patterns
When do the stars appear in
the sky?
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Students use observation data to notice the stars
are visible at night.
Clover Park School District
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Grade 1
CPSD Science Curriculum Guide
NGSS Evidence Statements:
2015-2016
1-ESS1-1. Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
1-ESS1-2. Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year.
Unit 1: NGSS Earth & Space Science
Clover Park School District
Page 4
Grade 1
CPSD Science Curriculum Guide
Optional Planning Tool/ Teacher Notes:
2015-2016
It may be useful to plot out how/when the guiding questions will be addressed over the course of the school
year. This tool is intended to support your planning efforts as individual teachers or collaborative grade level
teams.
September
October
November/ December
January
February
March
April
May/June
Unit 1: NGSS Earth & Space Science
Clover Park School District
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