Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

• A common vocabulary is needed to communicate about the scientific procedure.
• A hypothesis is a testable prediction as to the outcome of a scientific investigation.
• A well designed investigation involves the use of a written plan that identifies the materials to be used, the procedure to follow, and the variables. A plan needs to be followed to make sure all steps in an investigation are completed.
• A scientist uses many tools when conducting an investigation. Complete data makes it possible to explain the results of an investigation and compare it with the prediction.
• When data is analyzed, the results can be communicated in a variety of ways.
• Objects in the sky move in regular patterns which makes them identifiable if conditions are right.
• The Earth rotates on its axis as it revolves around the sun. The rotation is responsible for day and night. The revolution around the sun and tilt of the Earth is responsible for the seasons.
• Our Solar System is made up of the Sun, Earth, Moon, eight other planets, their satellites, asteroids, comets
• A scale model can help us understand the distances of the components of our solar system.
• There are many events important to space history.
• Changes in technology allow space exploration to take place at greater distances and in greater detail.

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

• What common vocabulary should be used when conducting an investigation?
• Why are predictions an important part of the scientific process? How can we make better predictions?
• Why should we follow a plan when conducting an investigation?
• What tools are available to gather data when conducting an investigation?
• How does data help us explain our investigation? What are some of the ways we can collect data?
• How can we communicate the results of our investigation to others?
• What are some objects that can be observed in the sky?
• How does the motion of the Earth cause day/night and seasons?
• What are the components of our solar system? How far apart are the components in our solar system?
• What are some of the important events in space history?
• What technology is currently being used or developed for space exploration?

Standards

Highest Frequency Standards High Frequency Standards Other Standards & E-skills

 
Standard 1: Students understand the process of scientific investigation and design, conduct, communicate about, and evaluate such investigations. (1.b., 1.d.)
Standard 4: Students know the structure of the solar system, composition and interactions of object in the universe, and how space is explored. (4.4a - 4.4h)

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:

• Exploring Space Lessons
• Exploring Space Links

Resources

• Experiment with the Solar System Simulation by ExploreLearning.

Science Leveled Readers With Audio 

Unit Vocabulary