1. What is a star? Most people living in Florida know that the Sun constantly gives off a lot of energy. Its energy comes from reaction between the hydrogen gas and the helium gas that makes up the Sun. During the reaction, called nuclear fusion, large amounts of energy are given off in the form of light and heat. Many schools and community buildings in Florida use this energy to heat water. The energy from the heated water is used to make electricity.

2. Compared with the Earth, the Sun is huge
Compared with the Earth, the Sun is huge. A single sunspot on the Sun’s surface may be larger than the entire planet we live on. However, when compared to other stars, our Sun is not very large or very hot. It is an average star. Some stars are much smaller than the Sun while other stars can be more than 100 times larger. The light from our Sun reaches Earth in about eight minutes. The light from the next closest star to us takes more than four years to reach Earth. The light from more distant stars may take billions of years to reach our planet.

3. How does the Sun compare to other stars?
Pause and allow students to try and answer without answer choices.

4. How does the Sun compare to other stars?
The Sun is the biggest and brightest star.
The Sun is an average star that appears large and bright because it is the closest star to Earth.
The Sun is an average star because it is in the middle of the Milky Way Galaxy.
The Sun is the smallest star, but appears large because it is the closest star to Earth.

5. How does the Sun compare to other stars?
The Sun is the biggest and brightest star.
The Sun is an average star that appears large and bright because it is the closest star to Earth.
The Sun is an average star because it is in the middle of the Milky Way Galaxy.
The Sun is the smallest star, but appears large because it is the closest star to Earth.
The Size and Distance of the Sun Video:

6. Stars seem to be little lights in the sky
Stars seem to be little lights in the sky. But they are not little at all. Stars seem small because they are so far away from Earth. Most stars are very big. More than a million planets the size of Earth could fit inside a star the size of the sun. Stars are balls of hot, glowing gases. They all give off light and heat. We see their light. We do not feel the heat they make because they are so far away. The Sun is the closest star to Earth. We can see the Sun’s light. We can also feel its heat.

7. A star named Sirius appears as the brightest star in the nighttime sky, even though a star named Pollux actually gives off more light. What is a possible explanation for Sirius appearing brighter than Pollux in our nighttime sky?

8. A star named Sirius appears as the brightest star in the nighttime sky, even though a star named Pollux actually gives off more light. Which of the following best explains why Sirius appears brighter than Pollux in our nighttime sky? A. Sirius has a different color than Pollux has. B. Sirius has different gases than Pollux has. C. Sirius is closer to Earth than Pollux is. D. Sirius is larger than Pollux is.

9. A star named Sirius appears as the brightest star in the nighttime sky, even though a star named Pollux actually gives off more light. Which of the following best explains why Sirius appears brighter than Pollux in our nighttime sky? A. Sirius has a different color than Pollux has. B. Sirius has different gases than Pollux has. C. Sirius is closer to Earth than Pollux is. D. Sirius is larger than Pollux is.
Where in the World Are We Video:

10. The Earth Is Always Moving We do not feel the Earth moving, but it is never still. It is always moving in two ways. The Earth rotates (spins) around. This is what causes day and night. One rotation of the Earth takes about 24 hours, or one day. The Sun shines on the Earth as it spins. But sunlight shines only on the side of the Earth facing the Sun. That side has day. The other side is dark. That side has night. As the Earth rotates, we move from day to night over and over again. The Earth also revolves (travels around) the Sun. The trip takes one year, or about 365 days.

11. Stars shine in the sky all of the time
Stars shine in the sky all of the time. During the day we cannot see their light. The light from the Sun makes the sky very bright. It hides the light of the other stars. But on a clear, dark night, we can see thousands of stars in the sky.

12. Why is it possible to see the constellation of Orion in the night sky during winter, but not during summer?

13. Why is it possible to see the constellation of Orion in the night sky during winter, but not during summer?
The earth’s nighttime side faces Orion during the summer, and earth’s daytime side faces Orion during the winter.
The earth tilts on its axis as the seasons change so the North Pole is facing away from Orion during the summer.
During summer, the earth faces only the moon and not any constellations.
The earth’s nighttime side faces Orion during the winter, and earth’s daytime side faces Orion during the summer.

14. Why is it possible to see the constellation of Orion in the night sky during winter, but not during summer?
The earth’s nighttime side faces Orion during the summer, and earth’s daytime side faces Orion during the winter.
The earth tilts on its axis as the seasons change so the North Pole is facing away from Orion during the summer.
During summer, the earth faces only the moon and not any constellations.
The earth’s nighttime side faces Orion during the winter, and earth’s daytime side faces Orion during the summer.
Stars and Seasons Video:

15. Earth spins on its axis, or rotates, which causes the constellations – the patterns of stars in the sky – as well as the sun, moon, and planets to appear to rise on the eastern horizon then move across the sky and set on the western horizon. Also, different constellations are visible in the night sky during different seasons. This is due to the fact that the earth revolves, or orbits, around the sun. Because of this, the night side of the earth faces different parts of the heavens at different times so the stars we see change throughout the year.

16. Selma and her father look at the stars every night
Selma and her father look at the stars every night. Last night, they observed the stars at 8pm and 10pm. Selma noticed that the stars appeared to move across the night sky. What is the reason for the stars apparent shift across the night sky?

17. Selma and her father look at the stars every night
Selma and her father look at the stars every night. Last night, they observed the stars at 8pm and 10pm. Selma noticed that the stars appeared to move across the night sky. What is the reason for the stars apparent shift across the night sky?
Stars appear to shift across the sky every night as earth rotates on its axis.
The patterns of stars appear to move and change as the Earth makes its yearly orbit around the Sun.
Stars appear to shift across the sky every night as they orbit around earth.
Stars appear to shift across the sky every night as they orbit around the Sun.

18. Selma and her father look at the stars every night
Selma and her father look at the stars every night. Last night, they observed the stars at 8pm and 10pm. Selma noticed that the stars appeared to move across the night sky. What is the reason for the stars apparent shift across the night sky?
Stars appear to shift across the sky every night as earth rotates on its axis. (Show first 50s of video only)
The patterns of stars appear to move and change as the Earth makes its yearly orbit around the Sun.
Stars appear to shift across the sky every night as they orbit around earth.
Stars appear to shift across the sky every night as they orbit around the Sun.
The Celestial Poles Video:

19. What makes up the universe
What makes up the universe? The universe includes all the matter in space. Millions of systems, called galaxies, make up the universe. A galaxy is made up of billions of stars, dust, and gases. One galaxy, the Milky Way, is home to our solar system.

20. Our solar system is made up of the Sun, the planets, their moons, and other objects. The Sun is the center of our solar system. Eight planets, their moons, and more revolve around the Sun. The planets can be divided into two groups. The inner planets in order from the Sun are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. An area called the asteroid belt separates the inner planets from the outer planets. This belt is made up of small chunks of rock that also revolve around the Sun. All of the planets, their moons, and the asteroid belt are held in place by the force of gravity.

21. Cecilia was comparing the characteristics of inner and outer planets
Cecilia was comparing the characteristics of inner and outer planets. She found that all planets have something in common. What do all planets have in common?

22. Cecilia was comparing the characteristics of inner and outer planets
Cecilia was comparing the characteristics of inner and outer planets. She found that all planets have something in common. What do all planets have in common?
They are all mostly composed of rocks & metal
They all have many moons.
They all revolve around the Sun.
They are close to the Sun.

23. They are all mostly composed of rocks & metal
Cecilia was comparing the characteristics of inner and outer planets. She found that all planets have something in common. What do all planets have in common?
They are all mostly composed of rocks & metal
They all have many moons.
They all revolve around the Sun.
They are close to the Sun.
Welcome to the Solar System! Video

24. What are the parts of the solar system
What are the parts of the solar system? Our solar system includes eight planets that orbit the Sun. The four planets closest to the Sun are relatively small, rocky bodies. These planets are called the “inner planets.” The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Earth, the third planet from the Sun, is the only planet known to have life. Earth is the largest of the inner planets. Farther from the Sun are four planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, called “gas giants.” These planets are made mostly of hydrogen, helium, and other gases. They are the largest planets of the solar system. They have over 150 moons combined and many rings.

25. After Cecilia determined that all of the planets revolve around the Sun, she researched common characteristics of inner planets. What features did Cecilia find that all inner planets have in common?

26. After Cecilia determined that all of the planets revolve around the Sun, she researched common characteristics of inner planets. What feature did Cecilia find that all inner planets have in common?
They are rocky.
They are very hot.
They have moons.
They lack atmospheres.

27. After Cecilia determined that all of the planets revolve around the Sun, she researched common characteristics of inner planets. What feature did Cecilia find that all inner planets have in common?
They are rocky.
They are very hot.
They have moons.
They lack atmospheres.
Comparing the inner and outer planets Video:

28. After Cecilia determined that all of the inner planets are rocky, she researched common characteristics of outer planets.

29. Which statement would Cecilia say is not true of both Jupiter and Saturn?
They have rings.
They are gas giant planets.
They rotate on their sides.
They have many moons.

30. They are gas giant planets. They rotate on their sides.
Which statement would Cecilia say is not true of both Jupiter and Saturn?
They have rings.
They are gas giant planets.
They rotate on their sides.
They have many moons.
The Gas Giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune Video: