How Can We Predict When The Sky Will Be Dark?
How Can We Predict When The Sky Will Be Dark?
How Can We Predict When the Sky Will Be Dark? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a new curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is aligned to a group of grade 1 standards. It has a focus on earth and space science with a secondary focus on physical science. In this module, students:
- Analyze and interpret observations of the sky to identify when the Sun, Moon, and stars are visible and the Sun and Moon’s daily pattern of motion in the sky.
- Use observations to explain that we see objects when light shines on them or if they give off their own light.
- Compare two models of the Moon to identify which model better represents the observed patterns of the real Moon.
- Plan and carry out an investigation to identify the pattern of daylight throughout the year.
- Carry out an investigation to identify the times of the year that it will be dark when kids walk to or from school.
- Explain how different light sources will allow objects to be seen when kids walk to school in the dark.
Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.
Child in Bed
This file shows a photo of a girl in bed when the sky appears to be dark and a photo of a girl in bed with the sky appears to be bright.
Download the Child in Bed PDF
Ada Asks Introduction
This video introduces the reading that students use in the first activity.
Download the Ada Asks Indroduction Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Ada Asks Indroduction Video
Download the Ada Asks Indroduction Video Transcript
Ukraine, Cameroon, and Lebanon Map
This world map shows the locations of Ukraine, Cameroon, and Lebanon.
Download the Ukraine, Cameroon, and Lebanon Map PDF
Moonrise and Moonset
This website provides the moonrise and moonset times for a location provided by the user.
www.timeanddate.com/moon/
Shapes of the Moon
This file shows photos of a full moon, quarter moon, and crescent moon.
Download the Shapes of the Moon PDF
Aerial View of the National Mall
This file shows an aerial view of the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Download the Aerial View of the National Mall PDF
Sunlight on the National Mall
This simulation shows 360-degree photos taken on the National Mall at five different times of one day in the winter and five different times of one day in the spring. For Lesson 5, use the winter photos. For the Lesson 8 extension, use the spring photos. Sunlight on the National Mall is available as a website for computers. Download the application for use on tablets or mobile devices.
https://ssec.si.edu/sunlight-national-mall
Young Sunflower
This time-lapsed video shows a young sunflower tracking the Sun in the day and turning to face east in the night.
Download the Young Sunflower Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Young Sunflower Video
Download the Young Sunflower Video Transcript
Full Moon Motion
This video shows a model of the Moon and Sun’s motion over a 48-hour period during the full moon part of the Moon’s cycle.
Download the Full Moon Motion Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Full Moon Motion Video
Download the Full Moon Motion Video Transcript
Quarter Moon Motion
This video shows a model of the Moon and Sun’s motion over a 48-hour period during the quarter moon part of the Moon’s cycle.
Download the Quarter Moon Motion Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Quarter Moon Motion Video
Download the Quarter Moon Motion Video Transcript
Sunrise and Sunset
This website provides the sunrise and sunset times for a location provided by the user.
https://sunrise-sunset.org
Daylight Patterns
This file shows an investigation chart made with symbols that do not match and an investigation chart made with symbols that match.
Download the Daylight Patterns PDF
Sunrise and Sunset Picture
This file shows a picture of sunrise.
Download the Sunrise and Sunset Picture PDF
Spring Sun Sheet
This file shows an illustration of the National Mall.
Download the Spring Sun Sheet PDF
Walk to School
This file shows photos of students walking to school at two different times of the year.
Download the Walk to School PDF
Ada Asks Science Challenge
This video introduces the science challenge.
Download the Ada Asks Science Challenge Video
Walk to School with Flashlights
This video shows students walking to school in the dark while carrying flashlights.
Download the Walk to School with Flashlights Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Walk to School with Flashlights Video
Download the Walk to School with Flashlights Video Transcript
Walk to School with Glow Sticks
This video shows students walking to school in the dark while carrying glow sticks.
Download the Walk to School with Glow Sticks Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Walk to School with Glow Sticks Video
Download the Walk to School with Glow Sticks Video Transcript
Walk to School Under Street Lights
This video shows students walking to school in the dark under a street light.
Download the Walk to School Under Street Lights Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Walk to School Under Street Lights Video
Download the Walk to School Under Street Lights Video Transcript
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