Work in Progress
Please pardon our progress while we refine the look and functionality of our new ALEX site! You can still access the old ALEX site at alex.asc.edu. If you would like to share feedback or have a question for the ALEX Team, you can use the contact form here, or email us directly at administrator@alex.state.al.us.

NOTICE: The old ALEX site at alex.asc.edu will not be accessible on March 31st. Please contact administrator@alex.state.al.us if this may cause an issue with a scheduled event/deadline.

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Our Super Star

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

1

Overview

Our star, the Sun, is an ordinary star. It is not particularly special compared to other stars in the universe; however, it is crucially important to us. As the massive energy source at the center of our solar system, the Sun is responsible for Earth's climate, weather, and life. In this lesson, students use observations, activities, and videos to learn basic facts about the Sun. Students also model the mechanics of day and night and use solar energy to make a tasty treat.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 1

    Observe, describe, and predict patterns of the sun, moon, and stars as they appear in the sky (e.g., sun and moon appearing to rise in one part of the sky, move across the sky, and set; stars other than our sun being visible at night, but not during the day).

    Unpacked Content

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.1.8

    Vocabulary

    • observe
    • describe
    • predict
    • pattern
    • sun
    • moon
    • star
    • sky
    • day
    • night
    • sunset
    • sunrise
    • motion
    • appear

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Stars are not seen in the sky during the day, but are seen in the sky at night.
    • The sun is at different positions in the sky at different times of the day, appearing to rise in one part of the sky in the morning and appearing to set in another part of the sky in the evening.
    • The moon can be seen during the day and at night, but the sun can only be seen during the day.
    • The moon is at different positions in the sky at different times of the day or night, appearing to rise in one part of the sky and appearing to set in another part of the sky.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Organize data from observations in order to describe objects in the day/night sky
    • Use patterns found in data from observations to describe and predict the position of objects in the day/night sky.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Patterns related to the appearance of objects in the sky can be observed and used to provide evidence that future appearances of those objects can be predicted.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Analyzing and Interpreting Data

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Patterns
    Science (2015) Grade(s): 1

    Observe seasonal patterns of sunrise and sunset to describe the relationship between the number of hours of daylight and the time of year (e.g., more hours of daylight during summer as compared to winter).

    Unpacked Content

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.1.9

    Vocabulary

    • observe
    • seasonal
    • patterns
    • sunrise
    • sunset
    • describes
    • relationship
    • hours
    • daylight
    • year

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • There is a relationship between the relative length of the day and the season of the year.

    Skills

    Students are able to:

      Understanding

      Students understand that:
      • Seasonal patterns of sunrise and sunset can be observed, described and predicted.

      Scientific and Engineering Practices

      Planning and Carrying out Investigations

      Crosscutting Concepts

      Patterns
      Identify major celestial objects (e.g., moon, sun, other stars) and when they can be seen in the sky.

      Unpacked Content

      Unpacked Content

      UP:SC15.1.8

      Vocabulary

      • observe
      • describe
      • predict
      • pattern
      • sun
      • moon
      • star
      • sky
      • day
      • night
      • sunset
      • sunrise
      • motion
      • appear

      Knowledge

      Students know:
      • Stars are not seen in the sky during the day, but are seen in the sky at night.
      • The sun is at different positions in the sky at different times of the day, appearing to rise in one part of the sky in the morning and appearing to set in another part of the sky in the evening.
      • The moon can be seen during the day and at night, but the sun can only be seen during the day.
      • The moon is at different positions in the sky at different times of the day or night, appearing to rise in one part of the sky and appearing to set in another part of the sky.

      Skills

      Students are able to:
      • Organize data from observations in order to describe objects in the day/night sky
      • Use patterns found in data from observations to describe and predict the position of objects in the day/night sky.

      Understanding

      Students understand that:
      • Patterns related to the appearance of objects in the sky can be observed and used to provide evidence that future appearances of those objects can be predicted.

      Scientific and Engineering Practices

      Analyzing and Interpreting Data

      Crosscutting Concepts

      Patterns
      Identify the four seasons of the year in Alabama using common representations.

      Unpacked Content

      Unpacked Content

      UP:SC15.1.9

      Vocabulary

      • observe
      • seasonal
      • patterns
      • sunrise
      • sunset
      • describes
      • relationship
      • hours
      • daylight
      • year

      Knowledge

      Students know:
      • There is a relationship between the relative length of the day and the season of the year.

      Skills

      Students are able to:

        Understanding

        Students understand that:
        • Seasonal patterns of sunrise and sunset can be observed, described and predicted.

        Scientific and Engineering Practices

        Planning and Carrying out Investigations

        Crosscutting Concepts

        Patterns
        Link to Resource

        CR Resource Type

        Lesson/Unit Plan

        Resource Provider

        PBS
        Accessibility
        License

        License Type

        CUSTOM
        ALSDE LOGO