Sky Science

Program of Studies and I CAN statements

Students will:

6–7 Observe, describe and interpret the movement of objects in the sky; and
identify pattern and order in these movements.

Specific Learner Expectations

Students will:

1. Recognize that the Sun and stars emit the light by which they are seen and that
most other bodies in space, including Earth’s Moon, planets and their moons,
comets, and asteroids, are seen by reflected light.
a. I can recognize that the Sun and stars give off light and most other
bodies in space like the Earth’s Moon, planets, cornets, and asteroids are
seen by reflected light.
2. Describe the location and movement of individual stars and groups of stars
(constellations) as they move through the night sky.
a. I can describe the location and movement of individual stars and
constellations through the night sky.
3. Recognize that the apparent movement of objects in the night sky is regular and
predictable and explain how this apparent movement is related to Earth’s
rotation..
a. I can predict the movement of objects in the night sky, and how they are
related to Earth’s rotation.
4. Understand that the Sun should never be viewed directly, nor by use of simple
telescopes or filters, and that safe viewing requires appropriate methods and
safety precautions.
a. I can identify the safety precautions when looking directly at the sun.
5. Construct and use a device for plotting the apparent movement of the Sun over
the course of a day; e.g., construct and use a sundial or shadow stick.
a. I can build a device that predicts the movement of the sun over the day.
6. Describe seasonal changes in the length of the day and night and in the angle
of the Sun above the horizon.
7. Recognize that the Moon’s phases are regular and predictable and describe the
cycle of its phases.
a. I can predict and describe the cycle of Moon phases.
 8. Illustrate the phases of the Moon in drawings and by using improvised models.
An improvised model might involve such things as a table lamp and a sponge
ball.
a. I can draw and demonstrate the phases of the Moon through different
models.
9. Recognize that the other eight known planets, which revolve around the Sun,
have characteristics and surface conditions that are different from Earth; and
identify examples of those differences.
a. I can identify the eight known planets, their characteristics and surface
conditions different from Earth.
10. Recognize that not only Earth, but other planets have moons; and identify
examples of similarities and differences in the characteristics of those moons.
a. I can recognize the characteristics of various moons in other planets
other than Earth.
11. Identify technologies and procedures by which knowledge, about planets and
other objects in the night sky, has been gathered.
a. I can identify the different technologies being used to gather knowledge
on various planets and other objects in the night sky.
12. Understand that Earth, the Sun and the Moon are part of a solar system that
occupies only a tiny part of the known universe
a. I can recognize that Earth, Sun, Moon are a tiny part of a solar system
that occupies only a tiny part of the known universe.

Outline of Lessons to be Taught:

Lesson Topic (Outcome) Activity Class # Materials

1 Sky Science Students will research 1 Books, speakers,

introduction facts on space and sky paper, pencils,
using non-fiction laptop computers.
books and laptops.

(Activity: Hand facts)

2 Light emission, Students will learn 2 paper, pencils,
reflection, and about how light is chalk, visual
shadows reflected and about journals
how their shadow
changes at different
times throughout the
day.

Activity: Weather
permitting can go
outside, journal, exit
slip

3 Sun safety Students will research 1 Computer, screen,

facts about the sun
and its dangers to their
eyes and then create a
sunscope.
Activity: watching
video, exit slip
laptop computers,
paper, pencils,
reference books,
shoe box, tin foil,
black construction
paper, scissors,
tape, white paper,
needles.

4 Plotting the Students will create a 1 Computer, screen,

movement of the sun dial to observe paper, pencils,
Sun and plot the movement stick, rocks, chalk.
of the sun throughout
the day.

Activity: Creating a
sundial and observing
in journal
5 Constellations and Students will view 2 Computer, screen,
star movement images on a large paper, pencils,
screen of important telescopes.
constellations and
complete a fact sheet
about how the stars
move and take part in
a star gazing activity.

Activity: Students trace

star sheet

6 Day length and Students will plot 2 Computer, screen,

seasonal changes length of day for a paper, pencils, daily
period of time and newspapers.
draw inferences. They
will also track the
seasons in visual
journals.

7 Objects moving in Students will learn 2 Computers, screen,

the sky about objects in the paper, pencils.
night sky and track
object movement in
the sky (ex. Space
Station).

Watch videos

8 Cycle of the Students will learn 2 Computer, screen,

moon’s phases about each of the eight white volleyball,
cycles of the moon flashlight, paper,
through inquiry and pencils.
discovery. They will
view simulations of the
moon’s phases.
 Phases of the Moon
Rap. (video)

Activity: Make your

own poem/ song/ rap

9 Models of the Students will construct 2 Computer, screen,

moon’s phases models of each moon poster board,
phase and portray markers
these in a creative
manner.

Activity: Modelling in
groups

10 Our solar system Students will learn that 2 Computer, screen,

our solar system is paper, pencils.
only a tiny part of the
universe and complete
solar system fact
information sheet.
They will create a
story based on what
else they think is ‘out
there.’
11 Our other planets Students will create 2 Cardstock, paper,
planet trading cards pencils, laptop
that highlight important computers,
characteristics and markers, reference
differences among the books
planets.

(Activity: Planet
trading cards)

12 Many moons Students will research 2 Laptop computers,

about each planet’s paper, pencils.
moons and create a
project depicting the
information they find.
(Activity: Flip book)

13 Sky science Students will do a 2 Laptop computers,

technologies Cosmic Quest to learn paper, pencils.
about spacecrafts,
astronauts,
telescopes, and space
stations.

14 Review Students will review 1 Computer, screen,

the unit through the paper, pencils,
completion of a review reference books.
booklet and
educational videos
and Kahoot

15 Unit Test Students will write the 1 Paper, pencils.

unit exam comprised
of many types. .