1. SCIENCE GRADE SEVEN – ASTRONOMY
Day/Night Cycles
Gravity
Astronomy
Motion
Phases of the Moon
Space Exploration
Seasons
Study of Space
The Sun
Flight
Solar System
History
Vocabulary:
All 6-8 Process Vocabulary plus:
Cycle
Fall Equinox
Gravity
Lunar Eclipse
Moon Phases
Satellite
Solar Eclipse
Solar System
Spring Equinox
Summer Solstice
Winter Solstice
Essential Understandings:
The orientation, direction and duration of the movement of the Earth around its axis and around the Sun result in day/night cycles and the seasons
Gravity is the force that governs the motions of the solar system, attracts objects to the Earth and influences tides
The solar system is composed of planets and other objects that orbit the Sun in regular and predictable motion
Space explorations provide information about the solar system, the universe and the possibility of life beyond Earth
Many advances have been made in the study of space
Flight is possible because of principles of physics (lift) and because of a variety of technological innovations
The skies have been studied for many years (Ptolemy, Copernicus, Drake, Galileo)
The solar system consists of one star, nine planets and lesser members, different in size, composition and surface feature. The universe has other components
The Sun is the major source of energy for phenomenon on the Earth’s surface
Changes in the relative position of the Sun, Moon and Earth affect the phases of the Moon, eclipses and ocean tides.