Grade 1 Science

Optional Unit: The Sky

Unit overview:

In this unit, the students examine the sky and identify some of the objects which appear in the sky.

Related units:

This unit could be integrated with the Core Unit Earth, as a single unit on the solar system.

Suggested themes:

planets, seasons, solar system, the sky, the sun

Factors of scientific literacy which should be emphasized:

• A2 historic
• B1 change
• B3 orderliness
• B5 perception
• C2 communicating
• E4 using audio-visual aids
• F3 search for data and their meaning
• G1 interest

Common Essential Learnings foundational objectives which should be emphasized:

To support the development of a positive disposition to life-long learning. (IL)

To use a wide range of possibilities for developing students' knowledge of the major concepts within science. (COM)

Science foundational and learning objectives:

1. Describe the major objects which can be seen in the sky.
   1. Realize that the sun is a star.
   2. Identify the sun as a source of light and heat.
   3. Realize that stars other than the sun are very far away.
   4. Observe some of the patterns which stars make in the sky.
   5. Identify Venus, Mars, and Jupiter in the sky.
   6. Observe the changes in the apparent shape of the moon.
   7. Observe the changes in the time of day when the moon appears in the sky.