Earth, Moon, and Sun: Teacher Packet

Compiled by:

Morehead State University Star Theatre

with help from Bethany DeMoss

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 1

Corresponding Standards 2

Vocabulary 4

The Earth, Moon, & Sun (Primary) 5

Learning the Phases of the Moon (Middle Grades) 13

References 15

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Corresponding Standards

Next Generation Science Standards

1-ESS1-1

1-ESS1-1. Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns

that can be predicted. [Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could

include that the sun and moon appear to rise in one part of the sky, move

across the sky, and set; and stars other than our sun are visible at night but not

during the day.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of star patterns is limited

to stars being seen at night and not during the day.]

1-ESS1-3

Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to

the time of year. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on relative comparisons

of the amount of daylight in the winter to the amount in the spring or fall.]

[Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to relative amounts of daylight,

not quantifying the hours or time of daylight.]

5-ESS1-1

5-ESS1-1. Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of

the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from Earth.

[Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to relative distances, not sizes,

of stars. Assessment does not include other factors that affect apparent

brightness (such as stellar masses, age, stage).]

5-ESS1-2

5-ESS1-2. Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily

changes in length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal

appearance of some stars in the night sky. [Clarification Statement: Examples

of patterns could include the position and motion of Earth with respect to the

sun and selected stars that are visible only in particular months.] [Assessment

Boundary: Assessment does not include causes of seasons.]

6-ESS1-1

06-ESS1-1. 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

seasons. [Clarification Statement: Examples of models can be physical,

graphical, or conceptual.]

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Kentucky Department of Education, Social Studies Standards

S.S 2.20 Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective

S.S 2.20 (4th

) Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective

S.S 2.16 (5th

) Students observe, analyze, and interpret human behaviors, social groupings, and institutions to better understand people and the relationships among individuals and among groups.

S.S 2.17 (5th

) Students interact effectively and work cooperatively with the many ethnic and cultural groups of our nation and world.

S.S 2.20 (5th Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective

S.S 2.16 (6th

) Students observe, analyze, and interpret human behaviors, social groupings, and institutions to better understand people and the relationships among individuals and among groups.

S.S 2.17 (6th

) Students interact effectively and work cooperatively with the many ethnic and cultural groups of our nation and world.

S.S 2.20 (6th

) Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective

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Vocabulary: Earth, Moon, and Sun

Vocabulary Words Definitions

Moon the Earth’s natural satellite that shines by the sun’s reflected light

Sun yellow star located in the center of our solar system made up of gas

Misconception a mistaken thought caused from misunderstanding

Sundial Ancient tool showing the time of day using the sun’s shadow

Rotation turning motion, like a wheel, around an axis

Axis an imaginary line around which an object rotates

Craters a bowl shaped depression on the surface of our moon caused by a meteorite

Lunar Phases Different views of the moon as it orbits around the Earth during its month long cycle

Solar Eclipse the blocking of sun’s light by the moon, they are perfectly in line with each other.

Constellations group of stars forming a shape, there are officially 88 (Orion, Ursa Minor)

Neil Armstrong United States astronaut, the first man to step foot on the moon

American Indians/ Native Americans a member of any indigenous peoples in North, Central or South America

Atmosphere gas around an astronomical object, the Earth has an atmosphere

Climate the average weather in a certain region over a number of years

Myth a traditional story explaining natural phenomena not based on scientific fact

Hemisphere half of a sphere

Orbit path of a planet, satellite, or moon

Seasons the separation of a year based on the climate

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Earth, Moon, & Sun From: Bethany DeMoss

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Created by: Bethany DeMoss

The Earth, Moon, and Sun an Activity for Elementary Students

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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 1

Index and Packet Overview Page 1

Teacher Instruction Page 2

Earth, Moon, and Sun Questions Page 3

Student Copies Page 4

This activity is designed for elementary students, 1st – 5th grades. The object of this activity is to

actively engage young learners in earth and space science. The activity can be used in many

ways: review or a game. This packet provides teacher instruction, student copies, material list,

and student questions. The activity is to be used for teachers and students in a classroom

setting. This activity can be copied and used to promote student learning.

This activity was designed to be aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The standards this activity meets are listed below.

1-ESS1-1

1-ESS1-2

5-ESS1-1

5-ESS1-2

Packet Overview

Index

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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 2

To complete this activity, students should already have a basic understanding of the Earth,

Moon, and Sun system. You should begin this activity by passing out the student copies (at the

end of this packet) to your students. Students will color and cut out each object to begin. Then

have your students glue their objects to popsicle sticks. This will complete the first step of the

activity.

The second step is to begin the instruction with your students. This activity takes both student

and teacher participation. There are two approaches to which you can complete this activity.

The simple review method is to have students answer questions by raising their Earth, Moon, or

Sun stick. All questions (listed later in the packet) can be answered with one of these answers.

This review method will allow you as the teacher to see how well your students are doing with

the concept at hand.

The game method of this activity works with both younger and older students, however it is

easier completed with upper elementary students. You will also be asking students the

questions and have them answer using their Earth, Moon, and Sun sticks. However, try dividing

your students into groups. Have each group delegate a member of their group to hold up the

answer to each question. Keep track of their score on your classroom board. The team to raise

their answer first gets the point! This keeps students actively engaged, they love to get

competitive.

Note: To keep Earth, Moon, and Sun sticks in longer lasting condition, laminate after students

have cut and colored.

Materials for Students

Student Copies

Popsicle Sticks

Glue

Colored Pencils, Crayons, Markers, etc.

Scissors

Teacher Instruction

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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 3

Question Answer

Which is a ball of gas? Sun

Which can humans live on? Earth

Raise the one that orbits the Earth. Moon

Which has water? Earth

Which has craters? Moon

Which can we not visit? Sun

Which is a star? Sun

Raise the one with four seasons Earth

Which one gives us four seasons? Sun

Which one can we visit? Moon

Which one gives off light? Sun

Which one has oceans? Earth

Which one is really bright even though its far away?

Sun

Which one is closest to the Earth? Moon

Which one is biggest? Sun

Which takes 3 days to get to by space ship?

Moon

Which one warms us? Sun

Which one looks blue and green from space?

Earth

Which one looks like it changes shape? Moon

Which one has air? Earth

Questions for Step Two

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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 4

Student Coloring Pages

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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 5

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Created by: Bethany DeMoss 6

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Learning the Phases of the Moon From: Education.com

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References for Activities

The Earth, Moon, & Sun

DeMoss, Anna B. “The Earth, Moon, & Sun.” Morehead State University Star Theatre. 1 July

2014.

Learning the Phases of the Moon

"Thousands of Worksheets,educational Games, and More!" Education.com.

Education.com, 2011. Web. 13 July 2014. <http://www.education.com/>.

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