Wichita falls ISD
Fifth Grade Science
Unit 10: Earth, Sun, and Moon System
Unit Planner
Approximate Time Frame: 12 days
Objectives
Skills: The student will be able to…
• Describe the Earth, sun, and moon system.
• Demonstrate that Earth’s rotation causes day and night and the apparent movement of the
sun across the sky.
• Identify and compare physical characteristics of the sun, Earth, and moon.
• Describe ways in which scientists contribute to our knowledge of the solar system.
• Describe the scientific contributions made by Kalpana Chawla and Claudia Alexander.
• Demonstrate that Earth’s axis extends from pole to pole.
• Demonstrate that Earth’s rotation cause the day/night cycle and the apparent movement
of the sun across the sky.
• Predict what would happen if the tilt of Earth’s axis changed.
• Recognize that technological systems are designed to meet people’s needs and improve
quality of life.
• Describe how an object or process functions.
• Determine the role of technology in the work of scientists.
• Use the five steps of the design process to make an astrolabe that can be used to measure
the angle of an object’s elevation.
TEKS
Readiness: 5.8C
Supporting: 3.8D, 4.8C,
5.8D
Process Skills: 5.2F,
5.3A, 5.3C
ELPS: 1F, 3B, 3D, 3E, 3H
Big Idea: The Earth, sun, and moon have distinct characteristics.
They form a system in space with recognizable patterns.
Performance Indicators
By the end of the unit the student will be able to…
• Follow directions for an investigation to observe the apparent movement of the sun across the sky due to Earth’s
rotation.
• Plan and conduct research to analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations about the moon’s origin.
• Demonstrate that Earth’s axis extends from pole to pole, passing through Earth’s center.
• Demonstrate that Earth’s rotation around its axis causes the day/night cycle and the apparent movement of the sun
across the sky.
• Predict what would happen if the tilt of Earth’s axis changed.
• Apply the scientific concepts of astronomy.
By the end of the unit the student will be able to answer the following essential questions:
o How do the sun, Earth, and moon differ?
o How does Earth’s movement cause day and night cycles?
Wichita Falls ISD (2014-2015)
5Sc Unit 10
Scientific Processes TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
1
revised 1/5/15
Lesson Information
Activities
Lesson 1
Engage/Explore
• Complete “Engage Your Brain” activity on page 433 of
textbook, as well as “Active Reading”.
• Complete “Arching Paths” and “Our Shadowy Moon” from p.
433A of textbook.
• Vocabulary/Interactive glossary from p. 433
• Use Student Journal from Resource File
See Notes from Council Lesson 1 Below.
See Notes from Council for resources from NEA.
Explain
• Generate ideas through active reading on pgs. 434 - 443
Extend/Evaluate
• Complete “Sum It Up” on p. 444 and “Word Play” on pages
445.
• “Apply Concepts” pgs. 446 and “Make Connections” p. 446A
• Lesson Quiz Assessment Guide p. AG 136.
• Use “Evaluate Writing Science” from Resource File
People in Science
• Complete “Generate Ideas” and “Background” p. 447.
• Complete “Develop Science Concepts” and “Develop Inquiry
Skills” and “Summarize Ideas” p. 448
Lesson 2
Inquiry
• Use “Flip Chart” to complete “Guided Inquiry” p. 449A to
provide scaffolding.
Engage/Explore
• Complete “Attention Grabber” and “Preview Activity from p.
449A
• Guide the investigations by completing “Develop Inquiry Skills
p. 449.
• Use Student Journal from Resource File
See Notes from Council Virtual Lab Experience.
Explain
• Complete “Develop Inquiry Skills” by drawing conclusions p.
450.
Extend/Evaluate
• Accept all reasonable answers. Students may want to know
how to model how Earth’s rotation causes shadows to change
throughout the day.
• Complete “Differentiated Inquiry” p. 450A
• Lesson Quiz Assessment p. AG 137.
• Lesson Quiz Assessment Guides p. AG 126.
STEM Activity
Engage/Explore
• Complete “Attention Grabber” and “Preview Activity” from p.
452A
• Work through “Strategies for Success” p. 452B
Wichita Falls ISD (2014-2015)
5Sc Unit 10
Vocabulary
Lesson 1
• Revolve
• Orbit
• Rotate
• axis
Scientific Processes TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
2
revised 1/5/15
Explain
• Plan and build with “Develop the Engineering Design Process”
p. 452B
Extend/Evaluate
• Complete “Quick Check” from p. 452B
• Complete Unit 10 Review pgs. 453 - 456
• Complete Assessment AG140– AG 13146 for Unit Test
Additional Information
Materials/Resources
See additional supplemental resources in the Unit 10 Resource Folder.
Leveled Readers
Science Weekly activities
Dinah Zike Big Book of Science
SMWillingham activities on the S Drive
NEA Resources
http://www.education.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/5315/sun_moon_and_the_earth.pdf
Lesson 1
• Dark construction paper
• Metric ruler
• Scissors
• Small stickers
• Stopwatch or clock
• Science notebook
• Research materials
• Computer
• Science notebook
Lesson 2
• Inflatable globe
• Straw
• Tape
• Lamp
• Camera (optional)
STEM Activity
• Plastic protractor
• Paper
• Tape
• String
• Scissors
• Straws
• Hanger
• Large metal washer
• Encyclopedias, reference books, or Internet resources
• Science notebook
Wichita Falls ISD (2014-2015)
5Sc Unit 10
Textbook Correlations:
• ScienceFusion Texas: grd 5, Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt
•
Online: www-k6.thinkcentral.com
See Science Weekly for other possible activities.
Notes from Council
• Lessons 1: Interactive Digital Lesson is
available in Online Resources. It is suitable
for individuals, small groups, or may be
projected or used on an interactive
whiteboard.
• Lesson 2: A Virtual lab experience is
available with the Online Resources for this
unit.
Response to Intervention
• Textbook page 431I has resources for
each lesson for Tiers 2 and 3.
• Leveled Readers from Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt
• Resource File within each lesson has the
following intervention resources.
o CLOZE-ing in on Science
o Leveled Readers A – C
o Concept Attainment
Scientific Processes TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
3
revised 1/5/15
Misconceptions/Underdeveloped Concepts
•
•
Be aware that some students may think the sun actually moves across the sky each day.
Some students may think that Earth is closer to the sun in summer than in winter.
Parent Resources
•
•
•
•
•
“Take It Home from textbook p. 446.
http://www.brainpop.com/games/buildasolarsystem/
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/solar-system-explorer/en/#/review/solar-system-explorer/game.swf
http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/staffdev/clough_d/moon/Phases.html
http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/phases-of-the-moon
Wichita Falls ISD (2014-2015)
5Sc Unit 10
Scientific Processes TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
4
revised 1/5/15