3rd Grade Science

Unit: Sun, Moon, and Earth

Week One
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Wednesday, March 11th

ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT identify their schema on the Earth, moon, and Sun as
well as what they wish to learn in the unit and discuss it with
the class.
TW introduce the unit.
TW instruct students to use their schema to fill in the chart in
their packets.
SW fill out their chart and write what they want to learn on a
post-it.
TW have students return to the carpet to discuss what
students know and want to know.
TW use this discussion to inform further instruction.
Students who are unsure of what facts they know will be
given suggestions.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of the packet page.
Thursday, March 12th
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT describe the sizes of the sun, moon and Earth in
relation to one another.
SW will draw scale models of how big they think the Earth,

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moon, and sun are in relation to each other.

TW show students a model of the sizes of the E,M,&S.
SW discuss how different their idea was from reality.
SW watch a video demonstrating the differences in size of
the E,M,&S.
SW fill out page 2 of their packet.
TW assess each students answer to the question.
Students who finish packet will be instructed to read books
on the topics of the E,M,&S.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of the packet page.
Friday, March 13th
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT describe the suns location in the solar system and
why it is beneficial to the Earth.
SW watch brain pop jr. video on the Sun and take notes.
SW discuss facts they learned from the video as a whole
class.
SW fill out the sun section of their flip book with facts from
the video.
SW get into groups and rehearse the Live from Space skit.
SW perform the Live from Space skit for the class.
Students who have trouble reading will be given smaller
parts in the skit and visa versa.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of the Sun section of their flipbook.

Week Two
Standard

Monday, March 16th

ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of

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the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,

month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT explain what causes day and night using words like
rotation and axis.
TW review brainpop jr video from Friday.
TW have students make predictions about how night and
night occur.
TW read What Makes Day and Night.
SW turn and talk to a partner about whether their prediction
was true or not.
TW perform sunlight experiment using flashlight and student
participants.
SW discuss what they have witnessed as a whole class.
SW complete pages 5 and 6 of their S,M,& E packets.
Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the sun.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of the packet pages.
Wednesday, March 18th
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT describe how and why the sun in is different positions
in the sky throughout the day.
SW discuss what they have learned the previous day about
the Earth, sun, and shadows.
SW go outside at the beginning of the science period and
have a partner trace their shadows with chalk.
SW play shadow tag outside.
SW trace their shadows at the end of the science period to
see if they have changed position.
SW discuss these changes as a whole class.
Students who need further assistance to trace their shadows
will be in a group of three.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of experiment.

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Thursday, March 19th

ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT describe the cause for the changing seasons using
the words revolution and orbit.
SW predict why the Earth has seasons.
SW watch brain pop jr. video on the Earth and write down 3
interesting facts.
SW turn and talk to a partner about what they learned and
the whole class will discuss.
SW break up into partners to play the Rotation and
Revolution Game
Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the Earth.
Teacher observation during discussion, accurate completion
of notes.
Friday, March 20th
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT describe the cause for the changing seasons using
the words revolution and orbit.
SW review knowledge that they learned about the seasons.
SW be given riddles about the seasons in different areas of
the world (ex. If it is summer in North America, then it is
______ in South America.)
SW solve these riddles in groups and create a poster to show
their understanding of the concept (poster should show the
Earth tilted on its axis with the correct hemisphere closest to
the sun.)

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SW present their posters on Monday.

Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the Earth.
Teacher observation during discussion, accurate completion
of notes.

Week Three
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Monday, March 23rd

ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT explain the causes for the seasons by demonstrating
their knowledge through completion of page 8 of their packet
and their seasons poster.
TW review seasons.
SW finish their posters on the seasons and present them to
the class.
SW finish their rotation and revolution game worksheets and
review as a class.
SW complete page 8 in their packets if time allots.
Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the Earth.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of the packet page.
Thursday, March 25th
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT describe why the Earth experiences day and night as
well as seasons.
TW review what students have learned about day and night
and the seasons.

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TW give groups of students skits about the processes of day

and night as well as the seasons.
SW rehearse and plan the skits throughout the class period
and perform them the next day.
Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the Earth.
Teacher observation during rehearsal.

Friday, March 26th

ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT explain why the Earth experiences day, night, and
seasons through a discussion after performances of their
skits.
SW perform skits based on day, night, and the seasons.
SW have a brief discussion after each skit about what they
noticed and learned about day, night, and the seasons.
Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the Earth.
Teacher observation during discussion.

Week Four
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Wednesday, April 8th

ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT explain the causes for the seasons by demonstrating
their knowledge through completion of pages 9 and 10 of
their packet.
TW review seasons, SW recall what they learned about

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seasons.
TW read The Reasons for the Seasons.
SW turn and talk to compare and contrast the brain pop
video and book.
SW discuss this comparison as a whole class.
SW complete page 9 and 10 in their packet.
Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the Earth.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of the packet page.

Week Five
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Monday, April 13th

ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT describe how shadows are formed and the affect that
Sun has on the length and position of shadows throughout
the day
TW review observations made the previous day about
shadows
TW have students read each section of the Prezi on shadows
SW discuss what they learned about shadows from Prezi
SW complete worksheet on shadows
SW discuss the results of worksheet when completed
Students who finish early will be instructed to help those who
are struggling with the worksheet
Teacher observation during discussion and accurate
completion of worksheet.
Tuesday, April 14th
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,

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month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)

SWBAT describe the moon and the pattern the moon follows
(moon phases).
SW watch the brain pop jr. video on the Moon and take notes.
SW discuss what they have learned about the moon from the
video.
Introduce the moon calendar to students
Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the moon.
Teacher observation during discussion

Wednesday, April 15th

ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT describe the moon and the pattern the moon follows
(moon phases).
TW review brainpop jr video from Friday.
TW see if students can name all of the phases of the moon.
TW read The Moon Seems to Change.
SW turn and talk to a partner comparing and contrasting the
book and the brain pop video.
SW discuss what they learned as a whole class.
SW fill out a worksheet and page 13 in their packets.
SW watch video to close out lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBc8QHSsFgE
Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the moon.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of the packet pages.

Week Six
Standard

Monday, April 20th

ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable

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patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the

length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT demonstrate their knowledge of the phases of the
moon through an inquiry based experiment.
TW review the phases of the moon.
SW play a flash card, moon phases game.
TW explain directions for Oreo moon experiment.
SW do Oreo moon experiment independently.
SW discuss the experiment when they are finished.
Students who finish packet will be instructed to put a fact in
their flipbook about the Moon.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of the packet page.
Wednesday, April 22nd
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT define a constellation and interpret this definition to
create their own constellation
TW introduce constellations by reading the book Stars
SW discuss the book while reading
TW will tell the story of the big and little dippers as an
example of how constellations were created
TW model how to create a constellation
SW create their own constellations including: a name, story,
picture, and season it can be visible in
Students who finish packet will be instructed to read books
about the Sun, Moon, and Earth.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of the constellation poster.
Thursday, April 23rd
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around

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Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis

between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT name the phases of the moon and the order they
come in.
TW review the phases of the moon with flash cards as a class
TW model how to complete the moon phase worksheet
SW complete the moon phase worksheet
SW complete the moon phase booklet and flash cards
SW quiz a partner on the phases of the moon with their
flashcards
Students who finish packet will be instructed to read books
about the Sun, Moon, and Earth.
Teacher observation during discussion. Accurate completion
of both worksheets and packet page.
Friday, April 24th
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around
Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis
between its North and South poles, cause observable
patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the
length and direction of shadows; and different positions of
the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day,
month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)
SWBAT recall all information they acquired about the sun,
moon, Earth, shadows, and constellations
TW give instructions about the Science jeopardy game
SW get into groups and review for the test using the science
jeopardy game

Teacher observation during game.