Nellie Knox Mini-Unit EDC 345 April 2013 #1 Essential Questions: How do objects in the sky move?

ve? To what extent are the motions of the objects in the sky predictable and regular? How are the movements of objects in the sky related to the telling of time?

Translated into Unit Goals: To understand that objects in the sky have patterns of movement To realize most object in the solar system are in regular and predictable motion To realize that motions in the solar system explain how humans keep time #2 Understandings: - Lesson #1 and #2 o The Sun's path throughout the day can be observed and measured using the length and direction of shadows. The higher the shadow, the higher in the sky the sun is. The direction of the shadow will be opposite of the direction of the sun. o Through comparing objects of earth and the position of the sun, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west o The sun is a tool to measure time because its movement is predictable and constant. Lesson #3 O The movement of the earth creates seasons on earth; The earths tilted axis and revolution about the sun causes seasonal changes O Warmer seasons such as spring and summer have longer periods of daylight and colder seasons such as fall and winter have shorter periods of daylight O The suns light is more direct in warmer seasons and less direct in colder seasons

Lesson #4 O The moon follows a repeating pattern of phases and the pattern correlates to the length of a month O Phases of the moon are created by areas of shadow and lights ! The area of shadow and light is created by the positions of the earth, moon, and sun in the sky. - Lesson #5 o The stars, like the moon and the sun, follow a predictable pattern in that they revolve around Polaris (the north star) o The movement of the stars and the constellations were to ancient Greek culture for both navigation, harvesting, and story telling o The apparent movement of the stars is a result of the revolution of the earth, not the sky. # 3 Learning Activities and Authentic Assessments : See attached lesson plans