Grade 4 Science Unit 8

OBSERVING THE NIGHT SKY

Amazing Space: Tonight's Sky
8 minute video of stars and planets in the sky for the current month. If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link.

Observing the Night Sky (01:10)
Constellations of the Northern Hemisphere.
If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link.

Observing the Night Sky 2 (01:47)
Constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.
If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link.

At Home Project - Observing the Night Sky.
Access this document and then upload it to Office365/OneDrive or GoogleDrive to keep a running record of what you're observing at night.
Word
Google Doc

TELESCOPES
Hubble Space Academy
Students will learn about the Hubble's secrets to unlock the astronomers secrets of the universe.

Telescopes from the Ground Up
Students will explore the history of telescopes, from Galileo to NASA's Great Observatories.

Hubble Telescope Photographs
Students will observe objects from the sky via photographs taken by the Hubble Telescope. Complete this activity to reflect on your observations of space.

SOLAR SYSTEM & ASTRONOMY
TrueFlix: Solar System
Students will view a video, read, and investigate to find out why the solar system is organized the way it is.

NASA Students - read articles, explore celestial bodies, and check out Nasa's Kid Club!

Astronomy for Kids
Students can read to get quick facts about the planets and astronomy.

PHASES OF THE MOON

1. Input your birthday, beginning with the year, month, day and time of birth (if known). The times are military times. If your time is 4pm, then you would choose 16.

2. Create a weekly moon phase calendar for the current week and make predictions about next year's moon phase.

3. Answer the following: Is there a predictable pattern in the moon's phases? How often does the pattern repeat? Are there any two days when the moon is in the same phase during that week or month?

4. Print the moon phase for your birthday. When did this phase occur during the current week or month?

Lunar Tree Project: Use Kidspiration or Pixie to create a "Lunar Family Tree", with the pictures of moon phases for the birthdays of family members.


Grade 4 Science Unit 8
Star Light, Star Bright Essential Question: How can we determine that the Earth's position in the universe affects the appearance of celestial bodies?

Enduring Understandings • The sun is Earth’s closest star. • Patterns of stars stay the same, although they appear to move.	Student Resources
Big Idea: Earth’s position in the universe affects the appearance of celestial bodies Observe and describe the stars and the planets by looking through a telescope, pictures or video clips from reliable sources. (2.D.1.a)	OBSERVING THE NIGHT SKY Amazing Space: Tonight's Sky 8 minute video of stars and planets in the sky for the current month. If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link. Observing the Night Sky (01:10) Constellations of the Northern Hemisphere. *If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link.* Observing the Night Sky 2 (01:47) Constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link. At Home Project - Observing the Night Sky. Access this document and then upload it to Office365/OneDrive or GoogleDrive to keep a running record of what you're observing at night. Word Google Doc TELESCOPES Hubble Space Academy Students will learn about the Hubble's secrets to unlock the astronomers secrets of the universe. Telescopes from the Ground Up Students will explore the history of telescopes, from Galileo to NASA's Great Observatories. Hubble Telescope Photographs Students will observe objects from the sky via photographs taken by the Hubble Telescope. Complete this activity to reflect on your observations of space. SOLAR SYSTEM & ASTRONOMY TrueFlix: Solar System Students will view a video, read, and investigate to find out why the solar system is organized the way it is. NASA Students - read articles, explore celestial bodies, and check out Nasa's Kid Club! Astronomy for Kids Students can read to get quick facts about the planets and astronomy. PHASES OF THE MOON Birthday Moon Phase Students will follow directions to complete a "Lunar Family Tree". 1. Input your birthday, beginning with the year, month, day and time of birth (if known). The times are military times. If your time is 4pm, then you would choose 16. 2. Create a weekly moon phase calendar for the current week and make predictions about next year's moon phase. (Use this Pixie to complete #3-4!!) 3. Answer the following: Is there a predictable pattern in the moon's phases? How often does the pattern repeat? Are there any two days when the moon is in the same phase during that week or month? 4. Print the moon phase for your birthday. When did this phase occur during the current week or month? Lunar Tree Project: Use Kidspiration or Pixie to create a "Lunar Family Tree", with the pictures of moon phases for the birthdays of family members. Phases of the Moon Students will Use this site to journal the phases of the moon.
Big Idea: The sun is the closest star to the Earth Identify the sun as the closest star to Earth through readings and videos. (2.D.1.b)	The Sun Video (National Geographic) Students will view an introductory video explaining how the sun is the closest star to Earth. Use Inspiration or Pixie/Wixie to have students brainstorm what they already know about the sun! NASA: How old is the Sun? Students will view a video to find about the sun's age. NASA: Sun's Energy Students will read to find out where does the sun's energy come from? The Angles of the Sun's Rays and Concentrated Energy Video clip DI/UDL Option: During (lab/observation/simulation), use Stop and THink to break up content with questioning. Teacher Note: You can watch this 25 min video, or go directly to the experiement clip by scrolling down the right side of the screen adn choosing the title above. If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link.
Big Idea: The appearance of stars in the night sky depends on their size, type, and distance from earth. Recognize and describe that the stars are not all the same in apparent brightness. (2.D.1.d)	Stars and Galaxies Students will explain the properties of the star and their life cycle. Learn About Stars Students will read about the Red Dwarf, Yellow Star, Blue Giant, Giant, and Super Giant stars. TrueFlix: Stars Students will view a video, read, and investigate to find out what the stars tell us.
Big Idea: The pattern of stars stays the same through different seasons. Determine that the pattern of stars stays the same by observing a time lapse of stars through different seasons. (2.D.1.e).	The Sky in Motion Students will view the sky in motion! Constellation Myths Real World Reading: Introduction to constellation myths Focus Question: How does identifying patterns of stars help people in their daily lives? Native American Constellation Myths Real World Reading: Collection of Native American constellation myths. Focus Question: How does identifying patterns of stars help people in their daily lives? Big Dipper Wheel Students will follow directions to make a Big Dipper Wheel. This can go with the "Never Ending Bear Hunt" legend. Window to the Universe Students will read about the Greek Legends/Myths associated with constellations. TrueFlix: Constellations Students will view a video, read, and investigate to find out what the stars tell us.

Required Lab: Sun's Angle of Incidence Investigate how the angle of the sun changes throughout the day and use data collected to determine how the sun's angle of incidence affects the length of a shadow.	The Sun's Angle of Incidence (Models an experiment) Use a flashlight and some graph paper to model the effects of the angle of the sun’s rays on the energy that reaches Earth. The more direct the sunlight, the more energy reaches the surface. *If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link.* Summarize Data Students can create an online graph of the results from the experiment.

Project: Our Night Sky Demonstrate that the stars appear to change their location with the seasons.	Hubble Site Students will view photographs taken from the Hubble Space Telescope. Amazing Space Students will explore galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field Tonight's Sky Students will view a short Video from Hubble Space Telescope. Observing the Night Sky (01:10) Constellations of the Northern Hemisphere. *If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link.* Observing the Night Sky 2 (01:47) Constellations of the Southern Hemisphere (01:47). If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link. Constellations Students will read to be informed to be able to Identify the constellations in the sky. Use the following websites to help students read examples of constellation myths: Real World Reading: Collection of Native American constellation myths Focus Question: How does identifying patterns of stars help people in their daily lives? ---Window to the Universe Greek Legends/Myths associated with constellations ---Native American Constellation Myths Real World Reading: Collection of Native American constellation myths ---Constellation Myths Real World Reading: Introduction to constellation myths

Teacher Notes
Standards	Resources
Content Standard: 2.4.D.1.b Identify the Sun as Earth's closest star. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Select relevant information from technology resource	The Sun Video NASA's The Space Place: The Sun The Sun's Angle of Incidence Use a flashlight and some graph paper to model the effects of the angle of the sun’s rays on the energy that reaches Earth. The more direct the sunlight, the more energy reaches the surface. Please note, for all Discovery Education videos: Login to Discovery Education before selecting the link. Please note that the video must be downloaded prior to viewing as per AACPS guidelines
Content Standard: 2.4.D.1.a Observe and describe the stars and the planets as seen through a telescope, graphically in pictures, or in video clips from reliable sources. 2.4.D.1.e Recognize that the pattern of stars in the sky stays the same although their locations in the sky appear to change with the seasons. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Select relevant information from technology resources	Amazing Space:Tonight's Sky (video) Observing the Night Sky Observing the Night Sky 2 NASA for Kids Solar System Exploration Amazing Space Astronomy for Kids Hubble Site Amazing Space Tonight's Sky Constellations Window to the Universe Native American Constellation Myths Constellation Myths The Sky in Motion Constellation Myths Native American Constellation Myths Big Dipper Wheel Window to the Universe
Content Standard: 2.4.D.1.a Observe and describe the stars and the planets as seen through a telescope, graphically in pictures, or in video clips from reliable sources. 2.5.D.2.e Verify with models and cite evidence that the moon's apparent shape and position change. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Select relevant information from technology resources	Go to the Head of the Solar System Birthday Moon Phase Phases of the Moon Use this site to journal the phases of the moon.