First Grade

Science
Science Essential Standards
First
Earth Materials
Quarter
Second Ecosystems:
Quarter Needs of Living Organisms
Third
Forces & Motion
Quarter
Fourth Patterns of the
Quarter Earth/Moon/Sun System
 Unpacking the Science
Essential Standards
Earth Science
Earth in the Universe:
Sky Observations
1.E.1 Recognize the features and patterns of
the earth/moon/sun system as observe
from Earth.
Science Essential Standards
1.E.1 Recognize the features and
patterns of the earth/moon/sun
system as observe from Earth.
1.E.1.1 Recognize differences in the
features of the day and night sky and
apparent movement of objects across the
sky as observed from Earth.
1.E.1.2 Recognize patterns of
observable changes in the Moons
appearance from day to day.
 Earth in the Universe
1.E.1 Recognize the features and patterns of the earth/moon/sun system as observed from

1 st Earth.
1.E.1.1 Recognize differences in the features of the day and night sky and apparent
movement of objects across the sky as observed from Earth.
1.E.1.2 Recognize patterns of observable changes in the Moons appearance from day to day.

3.E.1 Recognize the major components and patterns observed in the earth/moon/sun
system.

3 rd 3.E.1.1 Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the solar system that includes the
sun (a star), planets, and many moons and the earth is the third planet from the sun in our
solar system.
3.E.1.2 Recognize the changes in the length and direction of an objects shadow indicate the
apparent changing position of the Sun during the day although the patterns of the stars in
the sky, to include the Sun ,stay the same.

4.E.1 Explain the causes of day and night and phases of the moon.

4 th 4.E.1.1 Explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of Earth on its axis.
4.E.1.2 Explain the monthly changes in the appearance of the moon, based on the moons
orbit around the Earth.
 Earth in the Universe:
Sky Observations
Enduring Understandings:
Patterns can be recognized in the day and night sky.
The movement and appearance of objects in the sky
follow a predictable pattern.

Essential Questions:
What can we observe in the day or night sky?
How are the day and night sky the same or different?
How does the moons appearance change over time?
What kinds of patterns can we see/observe in the day or
night sky?
What are some examples of changes observed in the sky?
 Sky Observations
Learning about objects in the sky should be
entirely observational and qualitative.
Get students noticing and describing what
the sky looks like at different times.
They should observe how the moon appears
to change its shape. It is too soon
to name all the moon's phases
and much too soon to explain
them.
 Sky Observations
Objects in the sky have patterns of movement.
There are more stars in the sky than anyone can
easily count, but they are not scattered evenly, and
they are not all the same in brightness or color.
The sun is a star and can only be
seen in the daytime.
The moon can be seen sometimes
at night and sometimes during the day.
The sun, moon, and stars all appear to move
slowly across the sky.
The moon looks a little different every day but
looks the same again about every four weeks.
 Exploring the Standards
Explore the model of the Earth
to test different ideas about what
causes day and night

Explore the model of the moon

to test different ideas about what
causes the moon phases
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9
_10/earth_sun_moon.shtml
 Moon Patterns
1.E.1.2 Recognize patterns of observable
changes in the Moons appearance from
day to day.
Students know the moon looks a little
different every day but looks the same
again about every four weeks. They know
that the moons observable changes follow
a pattern.
 Exploring Space
Model how the moon travels in space
Include the sun, moon, and earth
Describe the role and placement of
each
 The Moon
Earth orbits the Sun every year
Moon revolves around the Earth every
month, about 28 days
Moons orbit is slightly tilted and not in a
straight alignment with Earth
Half of the moon is illuminated by the sun
The moons phase depends on how much
illumination is visible from Earth
 Phases of the Moon
Lunar cycle moves from the new moon
phase (completely invisible) to full moon
and back to new again

Waxing: moon moves from new to full

Waning: moon moves back to new
moon
Phases of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
 The Moon
Video:
Phases of the Moon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=nXseTWTZlks

Moon Observations
Do You Know This About the Moon?
 Day & Night Misconceptions
The Sun goes behind hills.
Clouds cover the Sun.
The Moon covers the Sun.
The Sun goes behind the Earth once a day.
The Earth goes around the Sun once a day.
The Sun moves across the sky.
Uncovering Student
Ideas in Science
Assessment Probes
Moonlight
Emmys Moon and Stars
Darkness at Night
Gazing at the Moon
Going Through a Phase
Where Do Stars Go?
Objects in the Sky
 Uncovering Student
Ideas in Science
Essential Standards Probe Alignment
 Phases of the Moon
Explore Learning
www.explorelearning.com
 Phases of the Moon
Gizmos
Teachers' Domain

http://www.teachersdomain.org/
 Phases of the Moon
World Moon Project:
www.worldmoonproject.org/
http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/re
sources/elementary/1science.htm
http://www.rockingham.k12.
va.us/resources/elementary
/1science.htm
 Science Resources
Aegom Interactive Smartboard Lessons
www.aegom.com/
 Essential Standards Resources
DPI Wiki Space
http://www.ncdpi.wikis
paces.net/
 Glossary of Terms
Represents the big,
powerful concepts and
ideas teachers need to
know and understand
Not exhaustive, seeks to
address critical terms
and definitions essential
in building content
knowledge and
understanding
Living document
 K-5 Science
Resource Packs

Include:
Unpacked Content, Vocabulary, Essential Questions,
Websites, Video Links, Common Misconceptions,
Writing Prompts, Graphic Organizers
 K-5 Assessment Examples
Provides examples that illustrate ways in which
the standards might be assessed
 Technology Resources
Charlotte Mecklenburg Science Wiki

http://elementaryscience.cmswiki.wikispac
es.net/
 Science Books
Day and Night
by Robin Nelson

The Sun Is My Favorite Star

by Frank Asch

Day and Night

by Margaret Hall
What Makes Day and Night
by Franklyn Branley
 Science Books
So Thats How the Moon
Changes Shape!
by Allan Fowler

The Moon Seems to Change

by Franklyn M. Branley
 Science Books
Phases of the Moon
by Gillia M. Olsen

The Moon Book

by Gail Gibbons

The Moon
by Seymour Simon