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Addresses NGSS Level of Difficulty: 1 Grade Range: K-2

OVERVIEWIn this activity, students will learn their place in the solar system among the sun, moon and other planets.They will discuss how the movement of the Earth and moon cause daylight and moonlight.

Topic: Properties of Matter

Real-World Science Topics• A review of our solar system and the location of the planets, moon, and stars

• An evaluation of how the Earth, moon, and sun move in relation to each other

• An evaluation of the Earth’s rotation around the sun and the patterns of day and night

ObjectiveAfter completing this activity, students should be able to differentiate between solar system, Milky Way, and galaxy. They should be familiar with the planets in our Milky Way system and discuss the location of thesun, Earth, and moon within the Milky Way. They should be able to explain the connection between Earth’srotation and the existence of day and night.

NGSS Three-Dimensions

SUN, MOON, AND STARS (1 Hour)

Analyzing andInterpreting Data

• Use observations (first handor from media) to describepatterns in the natural worldin order to answer scientificquestions.

Asking Questions andDefining Analyzing and

Interpreting Data • Use and share pictures,drawings, and/or writingsof observations.

• Use observations (firsthandor from media) to describepatterns and/or relationshipsin the natural and designedworld(s) in order to answerscientific questions and solveproblems.

Science and Engineering Practices

E-SS1-A:• Patterns of the motion ofthe sun, moon, and starsin the sky can be observed,described, and predicted.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Patterns• Patterns in the natural andhuman designed world canbe observed, used to describephenomena, and used asevidence.

Crosscutting Concepts

Background Information

What is the solar system?

The solar system includes the planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and minor planets. The sun is the star at thecenter of the solar system. Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way galaxy includesmillions of different stars, each of which has a solar system. (Sometimes there are binary solar systems thatinclude stars that orbit each other.) The Universe includes all of space. The Milky Way is just one galaxy inthe infinite number of galaxies in the Universe.

How do the sun, moon, and Earth’s motions relate to one another?

The sun is orbited (or circled) by the Earth over the course of 365 days. Our moon is Earth’s satellite, orbitingthe Earth every 27 days.

How do daylight and night time occur on Earth?

The Earth moves in a rotating motion and takes 24 hours to make a complete rotation. As the Earth is moving, the moon is rotating around the Earth. Consequently, if the Earth’s eastern hemisphere is facing the sun humans are exposed to light and brightness. Simultaneously, the western half of the Earth is facingaway from the sun and is therefore “dark.”

Key Vocabulary

Milky Way – A system that can be comprised of millions of stars that have their own solar systemsSolar System – (Our solar system) includes the sun with its planets and their natural satellites such as Earth’smoon; dwarf planets such as Pluto and Ceres; asteroids; comets and meteoroidsSun – A star made up of 92% Hydrogen and 7.8% Helium, which is at the center of our Universe, held togetherby its own gravity and enables life to exist on EarthMoon – Earth’s satellite, made up of a rocky, solid-surface body, with much of its surface cratered and pittedfrom impactsEarth – A rocky planet, also known as a terrestrial planet, with a solid and dynamic surface of mountains, valleys, canyons, plains, which is covered primarily by water and inhabited by human beingsStar – A fragment of gas and dust that has, over time (millions of years), become so hot and dense that a chemical reaction causes its substance to change and form into the stars we seeOrbit – The curved path of a celestial object around a star, planet, or moonSatellite – A celestial body orbiting the Earth or other planet

Materials Needed for Activity

• Flashlight

• Chart paper

• Marker for chart paper

• Object for cutting craft spheres

• Markers

• Pencils

• Three balls of varying sizes (e.g., extra large, medium, and small)

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SUN, MOON, AND STARS

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For Each Group

• Solar System Diagram handout

• Paintbrushes (for paint and glue)

• Paint in assorted colors (recommend primary colors)

• Containers for paint (if needed)

• Set of images from Photobank• Image 1 (A central view of the Earth with the moon and Sun)Strip the Cosmos: File 3352_ep102_028.jpg

• Image 2 (A view of the Earth from the moon’s position)Strip the Cosmos: File 3352_ep104_032.jpg

• Image 3 (A view of the sky from Earth)Generic: File DNICORE2K13_005.jpg

• Image 4 (The sun)Strip the Cosmos: File 33522_ep102_028.jpg

• Image 5 (Milky Way)How the Universe Works 3: File 33521_ep307_005.jpg

• Image 6 (Milky Way)How the Universe Works: File 20343_GALAXIES_still_1_030C.jpg

• Tag board

• Liquid glue

• Styrofoam craft spheres in different sizes

Discovery Education Web Resource

• The Earth’s Movement Around the Sun

Web Resources

Note: Always preview websites before using with students.

http://www.planetsforkids.org/General information about the solar system and each planet

https://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/OurUniverse.htmlEuropean Space Agency site for kids

http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/earthandbeyond/Information about the solar system, what causes day and night, etc.

http://www.science4us.com/SCO/act_867/index.aspx?aid=867&cid=P-0Information about the planets and the solar system

Teacher Preparation

Cut the craft balls in half. Print the Solar System Diagram handout per groups of 3-4 students.Prep the paint by pouring in containers per group. Place paintbrushes with paint.Hang the tag board in a location visible to the students for demonstration.Have available the remaining materials.

SUN, MOON, AND STARS

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STEPS FOR SUN, MOON, AND STARS

1. Warm-up Activity: Distribute the lesson images (below) to each group. Direct students to discusswhat they see in the pictures. Then, lead a discussion identifying what is in each photo beginning withImage 1 and concluding in sequential order. In this way, students will be able to discuss what is familiarand expand to what may be unfamiliar. As you discuss each picture, begin to explain the concept of thesolar system that is known to us as being part of the larger Milky Way galaxy. This Milky Way galaxy isjust one of many galaxies in the infinite universe.

2. Show students the three balls of varying sizes. Explain to them that the larger one represents the sun,the medium one represents Earth, and the smaller one represents the moon. Ask for three volunteersto come up and hold the balls. Explain to students that the three volunteers will be demonstrating themovement of the sun, moon, and Earth to the class.

3. Guide each student as to how they should move. (The sun should stand still in the middle. The Earthshould revolve around the sun, rotating as it travels. The moon should revolve around Earth, rotating soit always shows the same face to Earth.) As students carefully move around, explain what is happening.Explain that it takes one year for Earth to travel around the sun, one day for the Earth to spin around,and about one month for the moon to travel around Earth.

4. Use the flashlight to show students how the sun shines onto Earth, creating daytime on one half of theplanet and nighttime on the other half. Demonstrate for students that sunlight and darkness travel todifferent areas of Earth because Earth spins on its axis. It takes 24 hours for this process to finish andbegin again. Point out to students that some sunlight falls onto the moon and is reflected to Earth inthe form of moonlight.

5. View the video “The Earth’s Movement Around the Sun” and have students discuss what they learned.Use the video to help clear up any misconceptions students have about how the Earth moves aroundthe sun.

6. Explain to students that they are going to learn the names of some of the other planets in our solarsystem. Organize students into small groups and distribute a copy of the Solar System Diagram handoutto each group. Guide students to find the Earth, sun, and moon. Then, call on students to tell you thenames of the other planets they see. Help students identify the other planets as needed.

7. Next, tell students that they will work in their groups to make a model of the solar system. Help studentswith this activity by doing the following on a sample board:• Demonstrate how to figure out where to place the planets on tag board. Show students how to usethe Solar System Diagram handout as a guide for where to place each planet and the sun.

• Sketch the locations of the planets on the sample board.• Show students how to paint the Earth craft sphere and glue it into the correct position.• Paint a sample planet. Demonstrate the importance of using a minimal amount of paint and keeppaint off the bottom of the craft ball.

• Model for students how to shadow or color the perimeter of the Earth to show day and night.• Demonstrate how to glue the materials to the board.

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8. Have each group share their models with the rest of the class. As they are sharing, talk about thesimilarities among the projects. Discuss the location of the sun, moon, and Earth and where dayand night are represented in each group’s model.

9. Ask questions to determine students’ level of understanding, such as the following:• What did you learn about the solar system today?• How does the moon move around Earth?• How does the Earth move around the sun?• Why do we have daytime and nighttime on Earth?

Extension Activity

Students will work together to create art projects showing the phases of the moon. Students may do this by1) conducting research on the Internet (with adult supervision) to view the phases of the moon or 2) observing(with a responsible adult) the moon once a week for four weeks and drawing what they see. After onemonth, students will display their artwork in the classroom. Students should be encouraged to use whateverart materials they like to create their projects.

Source

PhotoSolar System Diagramhttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Planets2013.jpg

STEPS FOR SUN, MOON, AND STARS

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IMAGES FOR SUN, MOON, AND STARS

Image 1

Image 2

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IMAGES FOR SUN, MOON, AND STARS

Image 3

Image 4

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IMAGES FOR SUN, MOON, AND STARS

Image 5

Image 6

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IMAGES FOR SUN, MOON, AND STARS

Solar System Diagram