EARTH SCIENCE
FOR THIRD GRADERS

Introduction

Task

Process

Resources

Evaluation

Conclusion

Introduction

You have been chosen as the new astronomer for our school. To prepare for your new job you will need to  discover how objects in the sky move in regular and predictable patterns.  Good luck on your mission!

Tasks

Complete the follows tasks using the webquest and the  supplies at the supply station. When you have finished your tasks you will present a slide show showing how objects in the sky move in regular and predictable patterns.

Task One

Learn the way in which the Moon's appearance changes during the four week lunar cycle. Use the following site to discover your birthday moon phase. Use the study sheet to answer the questions about the moon.   PHASES OF THE MOON

Other tasks to follow

Task Two

Patterns of stars stay the same, although they appear to move across the sky nightly, and different stars can be seen in different seasons.
 
 

Task Three

Find out how telescopes magnify the appearance of some distant objects in the sky, including the Moon and the planets. The number of stars that can be seen through telescopes is dramatically greater than the number that can be seen by the unaided eye.
 
 

Task Four

 Earth is one of several planets that orbit the Sun and that the Moon orbits Earth.
 
 

Task Five

The position of the Sun in the sky changes during the course of the day and from season to season.
 
 

 

Process

1. Use the study sheet to gather information about the moon phases.

2.  Go to the moon phases site and find your birthday moon. Moon Phases

3.   Get a index card from the webquest supply station and draw a picture of your own birthday moon for this year. Make sure you put your name, birth date, and identify your  lunar phase on your  card. You will use this card for the class birthday moon graph. 

4. Put your card on the class Moon Graph.

5.  Familiarize yourself  with the four phases and then the eight phases of the Moon. Cut out the different phases from the Cut n' Paste Worksheet #1 and paste them to your phases of the moon worksheet. Use the  picture from the phases of the moon to help you.   Please add:  Where the sun is located
                                                    The Moon's orbit around the Earth
                                                     Darken the side of the Earth that is away from the
                                                     Sun

6. Visit the Lunar Challenge Page and see if you can complete the Lunar Cycle Challenge.

6. When the moon tasks are done you will continue to Task Two.

7. Make a slide show from the information you learned in the five tasks above.  You need to demonstrate how objects in the sky move in regular and predictable patterns. You need to have a minimum of 5 slides.

Resources

Ask the Space Scientist

Astronomy For Kids

Great site for animated phases

Evaluation

You will be evaluated on your study sheet, phases of the moon and your slide show. 

Conclusion

Now that you have finished your slide show on how objects in the sky move in regular and predictable patterns, you will present your slide show to an audience at the science fair.

 

Teacher Resources