Earth In Space Lesson Sequence - Carolina Curriculum

© 2001 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Science and Technology Concepts for Middle Schools™ is published and distributedexclusively by Carolina Biological Supply Company.

Conceptual Sequence for Earth in Space(to be published Fall 2002)

Tracking Shadows(Earth's rotation)

Shadows reveal relationships totime of day, year, and the relativepositions of the Sun and Earth.

Seasons(Earth's revolution)

The apparent path of th e Sun acrossthe sky and t he length of dayligh t

hou rs ch ange throu ghout the year.Seasons are due to the tilted Earth's

revoluti on around the S un.

Investigating Lunar Phases(Moon's revolution)

The Moon goes through apredictable cycle of changes in itsapparent shape, called “phases.”

Solar and Lunar Eclipses(Earth and Moon's revolution)

The stage for an eclipse is set whenthe Sun, Earth, and Moon align asthe Moon's orbital plane crosses

the plane of the ecliptic.

Looking at Scale Models(Comparing the planets)

A scale model is one way of workingwith large distances and sizes.

Impact Craters(Surface features)

Impact craters are a dominantfeature on terrestrial planets.

Gravity and Orbital Motion(Gravity in the Solar System)

Gravity governs motion in the solarsystem. It keeps moons in orbit

around planets and planets in orbitaround the Sun.

Part IIIEarth’s History as a Planet

Fossils: Earth’s History inRocks

Fossils provide important evidenceof how life and environmental

conditions have changed on Earthover time.

The Sun as an Energy SourceThe Sun is the major source of

energy for phenomena on Earth’ssurface.

Planetary Processes(Surface features)

Wind erosion, water erosion,tectonics, and volcanism haveshaped the terrestrial planets

and moons.

Earth as a Unique PlanetEarth, in its state of equilibrium, is

able to support life.

Changes in the Sun’s Energy:Sunspots and Space Weather

(Sun's rotation)Sunspots follow predictable cycles.

Space weather resu lting fromsun spots affects condit ions on Earth.

Sun-Earth-Moon SystemAssessment

Introducing the AnchorActivity

The space program has contri buted toour know ledge of t he solar s ystem.

Part ISun-Earth-Moon System

Asteroids, Comets, MeteorsEarth's history is influenced by

occasional catastrophes, such asasteroid impact.

Space TechnologyThe space program has contributedto technological advances on Earth.

Part IISolar System

Gravity and Weight(Surface gravity)

Weight is the measure of the forceof gravity pulling on a body. Surfacegravity varies from planet to planet.

Gravity and TidesGravity within the Sun-Earth-Moon

system causes tides.

Thinking About Earth as a PlanetModule Pre-Assessment

Solar System Assessment