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Unit Title: The Earth, Moon, and Sun Name: Tom Lux
Content Area: Earth and Space systems. Grade Level: 8th
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
Anchor: Ms-Ess1: Develop and use a model of the Earth, sun, moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases,
eclipses of the sun and moon, and the seasons
ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars: Patterns of the apparent motion of the sun, the moon, and stars in the sky can be observed,
described, predicted, and explained with models. (MS-ESS1-1) Earth and its solar system are part of the Milky Way galaxy, which
is one of many galaxies in the universe. (MS-ESS1-2)
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System. The solar system consists of the sun and a collection of objects, including planets, their
moons, and asteroids that are held in orbit around the sun by its gravitational pull on them. (MS-ESS1-2),(MS-ESS1-3) This model
of the solar system can explain eclipses of the sun and the moon. Earths spin axis is fixed in direction over the short-term but
tilted relative to its orbit around the sun. The seasons are a result of that tilt and are caused by the differential intensity of
sunlight on different areas of Earth across the year. (MS-ESS1-1) The solar system appears to have formed from a disk of dust
and gas, drawn together by gravity. (MS-ESS1-2)
What are the sun, moon, and earth and how do they affect each other?
How does the tilt of the earth make the four seasons?
Unit Summary:
In this unit students will learn about the Earth, Moon, and Sun system. They will also be learning about the history of the solar
system and how it was created. Students will follow along a teacher guided lecture using presentation technology. This lecture
will provide an overview of the unit as well as content information about the tilt of the earth and how it creates the four season.
Students will then participate in a webercise in which they do research to answer questions on lunar phases and eclipses.
Students will also do research using websites provided by the teacher to complete a graphic organizer on the evolution and
history of the solar system. Students will also be given access to the assessments that will be used during this unit as well as
their instructions for their group presentation project. Also included in this digital lesson will be time for students to explore the
many resources and interactives provided by the teacher.
Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level: Formative: Summative:
Students will complete quickwrite After listening to teacher lecture, End of lesson exam.
on what they know about the students will complete a K-W-L Half of the students will do a class
Solar System. Students will share chart and share one item from presentation using technology on
what they have written with a their want to know list with the evolution of the solar system and
partner and also as a whole class. class. the movement of the Earth and
Students will complete a word Students will complete a diagram Sun. The other half of the
search puzzle, assessing student labeling the phases of the moon students will do a presentation
background knowledge. and the order in which they occur. using technology on the phases of
Students will discuss in groups the moon and how the four
the tilt of the Earth and how it seasons are caused by the tilt of
creates the four seasons. Teacher the earth.
will engage with each group
monitoring discussion and
assessing understanding.
Students will complete quizlet on
topics covered.
Students will complete a graphic
organizer timeline worksheet on
the history and evolution of the
universe.
Students will
complete a K-
W-L chart and
be prepared to
share with the
class.
Students will use this information to complete webercise activity worksheet with a
partner.
In groups, the students will be given a flashlight and allowed to move about the
room creating shadows with their flashlights using different objects. They will
record their findings on a worksheet which will include the summative assessment to
be done at the end of the class.
Moonpage: Students can look up what phase the moon was in on any given date- Used in webercise activity
HigherEd: Interactive allowing the students to manipulate the earth and moon to generate eclipses- used In webercise
activity
Nasa Moon Landing: Nasa article on the moon landing- used in webercise activity
Ducksters: Student friendly article on the space race- used in webercise activity
Universe Today: Article on the nebular hypothesis- used in graphic organizer activity
Nasa Solar System: In-depth article on solar system formation and evolution- used in graphic organizer activity
Useful Websites:
Youtube: Universe and its Stars: Short video to develop and activate background knowledge on the universe and solar
system.
Youtube: Earth and Solar System: Short video on the Earth and the solar system.
Youtube: Stars and the solar system for 8th grade: Short video aimed at 8th grade science students
Nap.edu: Site for teachers breaking down the ESS1 standard
Resources Illuminated: Student friendly text on how the Earth moves through space and how that creates the seasons
National Science Teachers Association: This is a fun activity to help demonstrate scaled distances for the solar system
Astronomy: Journey to the cosmic frontier: Great link to an interactive that allows the students to see how the seasons
are created
Phet Interactive Simulations: Student interactive in which they can manipulate gravity and the position of the planets
to see can happen.
Lunar and Planetary Resources: Teacher resource for science activities and information
NASA Space Place: This site let students play around with a variety of games and interactives about the earth, sun and
moon.
Sci Games: This site has a wide variety of games and interactives for students to further expand their knowledge