Unit Overview

Essential Questions:
What are the apparent movements of the Sun, Moon, and Earth?
Why does the Moon appear to be the same size as the Sun?
Why does the Moon change shape during the course of a month?

Unit Objectives:

ES 4:3 TLW compare and contrast characteristics and predictable patterns of

movement of the Sun, Moon, and Earth.

1. E.ST.04.11 TLW identify common objects in the sky and list what is already known about the
Sun and Moon.
2. E.ST.04.12 TLW investigate the concept of relative distances of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
3. E.ST.04.12 TLW compare and contrast selected characteristics of the Earth, Sun, and Moon.
4. E.ST.04.21/23 TLW describe the Earths orbit around the Sun.
5. E.ST.04.22 TLW explain how the spin (rotation) of the Earth causes day and night and
describe the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky through day/night and the
seasons.
6. E.ST.04.25 TLW describe the apparent movement of the Moon across the sky through
day/night and the seasons.

Pre-Assessment:
Pre-assess each of the unit objectives either through a gallery walk. Students
write what they know about the various headings on sticky notes and stick them
to chart paper. Sticky notes will be folded and names will be on them.
Headings:
o What are some objects that you can find in Space?
o Distance: How far do you think the Earth is from the Sun? How about the
Moon?
o Movement: How does the Sun move in Space? How about the Moon? The
Earth?
o Size: Sun, Moon, and Earth. Which is the biggest? Which is the smallest?
o Shape: Why/how does the Moon change its shape?

Post-Assessment:
District Assessment

# Objective Activities Assessme

nt
1 E.ST.04.11 TLW identify Give the pre-assessment gallery Pre-assess
common objects in the sky and walk. through
list what is already known gallery
about the Sun and Moon. walk.

2 E.ST.04.12 TLW compare and (Day 2) Break student into 3 research Formative
contrast selected groups. 1/3 Sun, 1/3 Moon, 1/3 assessment:
 characteristics of the Earth, Earth. Research on selected Research
Sun, and Moon. characteristics of Sun, Moon, or worksheet
Earth.
Cross-Curriculuar:
RCI4:1 Demonstrate (Day 3) Research
comprehension of
(Day 4) Peer-teach on selected
informational/ expository text.
characteristics.
RCI4:2 Integrate knowledge
and ideas after reading
(Day 5) Lead students to
informational/expository text.
collaboratively complete a
OL4:1 Use grade-level
compare/contrast graphic
appropriate skills in the
organizer.
presentation of knowledge and
ideas.

3 E.ST.04.12 TLW investigate the Apparent Sizes p. 17 in AIMS, Out Formative

concept of relative distances of of This World. Models relative size of Assessment
the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Sun and Moon using 4 different : Apparent
sized spheres. Sizes
TLW be able to explain why the activity
Moon appears the same size as (Day 6) Make spheres all the same page
the Sun. size.

(Day 7) Make spheres fill the hole in

the tube and activity Sheet
4 E.ST.04.21/23 TLW describe ES4:3g Cosmic Dance students Formative
the apparent movement of the demonstrate/explore the movement Assessment
Sun across the sky through of the Earth and Moon around the : Exit ticket
day/night. Sun in groups of 3 (outside) Draw how
the Earth
E.ST.04.25 TLW describe the orbits
apparent movement of the around the
Moon across the sky through Sun and
day/night. write a
sentence
TLW explain the movement of explaining
the Earth and Moon in Space. what you
drew.

5 E.ST.04.22 TLW explain how Dizzy Spells p.23 AIMS, Out of This Formative
the spin of the Earth causes day World. Students discover how the assessment:
and night describe the Earths rotation causes day and Exit ticket
apparent movement of the Sun night by modeling it with their What
across the sky through bodies. causes day
day/night and night?
6 E.ST.04.22 TLW describe the Seasons PPT Formative
seasons. Bill Nye video clip and notes Assessment
Seasons worksheet : Season
https://www.youtube.com/w worksheet
atch?v=l64YwNl1wr0

7 E.ST.04.21/23 TLW describe Model the movement of the Earth

the apparent movement of the and Moon in space outside (draw
Sun across the sky through orbit with chalk).
day/night. Write an explanation of the
movement of the Earth and Moon.
E.ST.04.25 TLW describe the
apparent movement of the
Moon across the sky through
day/night.

TLW explain the movement of

the Earth and Moon in Space.

Review with study guide and

jeopardy.

Post
Assessment
: Unit test
by district

Technology Integration:
Lesson 6 Bill Nye video
Review with jeopardy (uses Power Point)