Earth Science

This month students are learning about Earth and its place in the universe, particularly relationships with our moon, the sun and stars. Students will be introduced to patterns in nature that occur naturally because of earth's relationship with universal bodies in our solar system. Students will make observations, predictions and become familiar enough to describe these patterns and why they occur, including: 

-Night and Day (a daily pattern)

-The Phases of the Moon each Month (a monthly pattern

-The Seasons (an annual pattern)

Students are also expanding their vocabulary by learning the meaning of Earth science words, and using them through literacy, discussion and inquiry-based activities. These words include, but are not limited to: Earth, universe, sun, stars, moon, axis, orbit, rotate, revolve, spin, 365 days, seasons, day, night, light, heat, horizon, daylight, reflection, shadow, sunrise, sunset

You can help your child become more familiar with these "very big" science ideas that even adults often question and grapple with by making simple observations with them. 

Lunar phases:

Look at the night sky, what does the moon look like? What shape is it? Is the shape the same or different than the last time you looked? Is the  moon a source of light and heat?

Seasonal changes evident in the night sky:

Where are the stars and do they make shapes in the sky? Are they close to the horizon or above you as you look up? 

Sky changes show evidence of night and day:

Can stars be seen during the day - does that mean they are not there? Where is the sun when it is night? Is the sun a star? Does the sun give Earth heat and light? What time does the sun begin to light the sky in the morning? What time does the sun disappear for the night? Is it the same time every day? Is it the same time in Winter as Summer?

Enjoy the wonders of our universe through conversations with your child, and by making observations as well as asking questions together.