Module:  The Sun-Earth-Moon System

Module Planner
Use this planner to understand the goals of the module.

Module Opener Lesson 1: Lesson 2:

Earth’s Motion Around the Lunar Phases
Sun

Big Idea: How can a Essential Question: What Essential Question: What
model of the Sun-Earth- causes the cyclic pattern of causes the cyclic pattern of
Moon system be used to the seasons? lunar phases?
explain cyclic patterns
of the seasons, lunar
phases, and eclipses of
the Sun and Moon?
Pacing
0.5 Day 4 Days 3 Days
1 Day = 45 min
Objective In this module, students Students will explore Earth’s Students will explore the
will investigate cyclic motion and the seasons. phases of the Moon. They
patterns of the seasons, They will develop and use will develop and use models
lunar phases, and models to explain how Earth’s to explain how the Moon’s
eclipses of the Sun and rotation, revolution, and tilted revolution relates to the pattern
Moon. axis cause the patterns of the of lunar phases.
seasons, day and night, and
the apparent motions of the
Sun, Moon, and stars in the
sky.

Inquiry Activities Investigation Night and Day Investigation Foil Moon

Investigation Star Gazing Investigation The Motion of
the Moon
Investigation Ahead of the
Curve LAB Moon Phases

Formative Assessment
Includes Page Keeley Science Probes;
Claim, Evidence, Reasoning; Three-
Dimensional Thinking checks
Assessment Tools
STEM Module Project McGraw-Hill Assessment
Authentic performance-based Ready-made pre- and post-
assessment with rubric assessments that can be printed or
delivered electronically

Module: The Sun-Earth-Moon System

THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED OR FURTHER DISTRIBUTED.
 Lesson 3: STEM Module Project: Module Wrap-Up
Eclipses Patterns in the Sky

Essential Question: What

causes the cyclic pattern of
eclipses?

4 Days 2 Days 1 Day

Students will explore
eclipses of the Sun and
Moon. They will develop and
use models to explain how
the motions of Earth and the
Moon relate to the pattern of
solar and lunar eclipses.
Students will apply the Students will revisit the
concepts they learn Module phenomenon
throughout the module to and explain their learning.
make a model of the Sun-
Earth-Moon system.

LAB Beyond a Shadow of a Science Challenge Patterns

Doubt in the Sky
LAB Casting Shadows
Investigation Eclipse
Essentials

School-to-Home Resources
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learning objectives for this module.

Module: The Sun-Earth-Moon System

THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED OR FURTHER DISTRIBUTED.