Earth & Space MST Inquiry Unit ED By Chandra Ramsundar Jennifer Winkler Andrew Cohen-Gael MST Inquiry Unit ED By Chandra Ramsundar Jennifer Winkler Andrew Cohen-Gael

MST Inquiry Unit Graphic Organizer

Lesson 1: What is the Solar System? Students will recognize that the Sun is the center of our Solar System. Students will discover features and characteristics of the eight planets and the Sun. Using this information, students will create a graphic organizer of the planets and the Sun using Inspiration. Students will create mobiles of the planets and the Sun (as shown). Students will recognize that the Sun is the center of our Solar System. Students will discover features and characteristics of the eight planets and the Sun. Using this information, students will create a graphic organizer of the planets and the Sun using Inspiration. Students will create mobiles of the planets and the Sun (as shown).

Student Made Graphic Organizer of Solar System Made using

Lesson 2: How can we find out how far away each planet is from Earth? Students will be able to identify the distance of the planets from Earth in Astronomical Units (AU). Students will complete a bar graph mathematical representation of the data (as shown). Students will be able to identify the distance of the planets from Earth in Astronomical Units (AU). Students will complete a bar graph mathematical representation of the data (as shown).

Bar Graph Data Spreadsheet PlanetsDistance in AU Mercury0.61 Venus0.28 Mars0.5 Jupiter4.2 Saturn8.5 Uranus18.2 Neptune29.1

Lesson 5: How does the Earth’s Rotation Affect the Time of Day? Students will discover how day and night occur. Students will demonstrate the Earth’s rotation. Students will analyze data on the internet. Students will discover how day and night occur. Students will demonstrate the Earth’s rotation. Students will analyze data on the internet.

Scavenger Hunt Go to Questions: 1)How many hours equal one day and night on earth? 2)Where does the sun rise and set? Go to Questions: 1)What are the three natural methods for measuring the passage of time? 2)What were sundials used for? Go to Questions: 1)Draw a picture of the Earth ’ s symbol. 2)What makes up most of Earth ’ s surface? Go to Questions: 1)How many years ago was the sun born? 2)What have scientists named the sun? Go to Questions: 1)What three elements make up the Earth? 2)Which planets are bigger than the Earth ? Go to Questions: 1)How many hours equal one day and night on earth? 2)Where does the sun rise and set? Go to Questions: 1)What are the three natural methods for measuring the passage of time? 2)What were sundials used for? Go to Questions: 1)Draw a picture of the Earth ’ s symbol. 2)What makes up most of Earth ’ s surface? Go to Questions: 1)How many years ago was the sun born? 2)What have scientists named the sun? Go to Questions: 1)What three elements make up the Earth? 2)Which planets are bigger than the Earth ?

Filamentality Webpage tearthsjw.html tearthsjw.html

For Further Research… Reasons for the seasons: Links about the Earth: kids.com/sleuth/Science/Space/Solar_Syste m/The_Earth/index.htm Help save the Earth: Astronomical units: ds/AskKids/def_au.shtml Reasons for the seasons: Links about the Earth: kids.com/sleuth/Science/Space/Solar_Syste m/The_Earth/index.htm Help save the Earth: Astronomical units: ds/AskKids/def_au.shtml

View the Earth from Space

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