Unit 5: Sun, Earth, and Moon System

Students will know how to:
-Describe the structure and energy output of the Sun and its effects on Earth
-Explain Earth’s rotation and revolution and how these motions create day/night cycles and seasons

Core Topics:
-Structure and properties of the Sun
-Earth’s rotation and revolution
-Moon phases and lunar cycles
-Eclipses (solar and lunar)
-Tides and gravitational interactions
-Seasons and axial tilt

NGSS Performance Expectations:
HS-ESS1-1 – Use models to explain the formation and motions of the Sun, Earth, Moon system.
HS-ESS1-2 – Analyze data to describe the effects of Earth’s rotation and revolution, and the Moon’s orbit, on observed phenomena (phases, eclipses, tides, seasons).
HS-PS2-4 – Use Newton’s laws and gravitational interactions to predict the motion of objects in the Sun-Earth-Moon system.
-Identify and predict phases of the Moon and understand the lunar cycle
-Explain the causes of solar and lunar eclipses and predict when they occur
-Describe how gravitational interactions between Earth, Moon, and Sun produce tides
-Use models to illustrate the motions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon
-Analyze observational data to explain patterns in sunlight, lunar phases, eclipses, and tides

Essential Questions students will be able to answer:
-How does the Sun’s energy affect Earth and its systems?
-How do Earth’s rotation and revolution influence day/night cycles and seasons?
-How do the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon create the phases of the Moon?
-What causes solar and lunar eclipses, and how can we predict them?
-How do gravitational interactions between Earth, Moon, and Sun create tides?
How can we use models to explain and predict celestial phenomena in the Sun-Earth-Moon system?

Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs):
-Developing and Using Models
-Analyzing and Interpreting Data
-Constructing Explanations
-Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs):
-Patterns
-Cause and Effect
-Systems and System Models
-Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Demonstration of Learning / Suggested Activities:

-Unit Test
-Quizzes
-Moon phase simulation and calendar activity
-Eclipse modeling using lamps, balls, and globes
-Tide prediction lab using water tables or simulations (if possible)
-Construct explanations linking Earth’s rotation/revolution to seasons and day/night
-Analyze observational data (moon phase charts, tide tables, eclipse occurrences)