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 curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is designed to address a bundle of grade 1 earth and space science and physical science standards. In this module, students:
- Use observations of real and photographed objects as evidence to explain that a girl can see objects outside because light from the Sun is shining on them.
- Use sunrise and sunset data as well as data from text to identify times of the year when the sky will be dark.
- Explain observed phenomena of the Sun and the Moon using observations of the Sun and Moon’s position in the sky.
- Use a model Moon to explain that the Moon appears to change shape because we see different amounts of the part with light shining on it.
- Use observations to describe the effect of a light source on the visibility of objects to solve the problem of kids having to walk to school in the dark.
Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.
Family Letter
Dowload the PDF
Before starting How Can We Predict When the Sky Will Be Dark?, share the Family Letter with students’ caregivers. Indicate how they should submit responses to the letter.
Ada Asks Introduction (1:17 minutes)
This video introduces the phenomenon of Ada having trouble seeing her toys outside at some times compared to other times. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
Ada’s Toy Observations
Dowload the PDF
This file shows an image of Ada’s toys when she can see them well and images of Ada’s toys when she has trouble seeing them.
Festivals of Light
Download the PDF
This file show festivals from across the world that celebrate with lights.
Ukraine, Cameroon, and Lebanon Map
Download the PDF
This world map shows the locations of Ukraine, Cameroon, and Lebanon.
Sunset (0:20 minutes)
Download the Video
This video shows the Sun setting.
Sunrise and Sunset
https://sunrise-sunset.org
This website provides the sunrise and sunset times for a location provided by the user.
Sunset in Ada’s Town
Download the PDF
This file shows the time of sunset in Ada’s town in the late summer, fall, and early winter.
City Sunset (0:40)
Download the Video
This video shows the Sun setting in Tokyo.
Aerial View of the National Mall
Download the PDF
This file shows an aerial view of the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Sunlight on the National Mall
https://ssec.si.edu/sunlight-national-mall
This simulation shows 360-degree photos taken on the National Mall at five different times of one day in the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Sunlight on the National Mall is available as a website for use on computers. Download the application for use on tablets or mobile devices.
Sun in the Sky in Ada’s Town
Download the PDF
This file is a place to record the Sun’s path in the sky on each day that Ada observes her toys.
Young Sunflower (0:23 minutes)
Dowload the Video
This time-lapse video shows a young sunflower tracking the Sun in the day and turning to face east in the night.
Ada Asks Moon (1:35 minutes)
This video introduces the phenomenon of the Moon appearing as different shapes and in different parts of the sky. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
Ada’s Moon Observations
Download the PDF
This file shows the three observations of the Moon made by Ada.
Moon Model Observations
Download the PDF
This file shows images of the Moon model and images of the real Moon.
Full Moon Motion (1:00 minutes)
Download the Video
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.
Quarter Moon Motion (1:00 minutes)
Dowload the Video
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.
Moonrise and Moonset
https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/
This website provides the moonrise and moonset times for a location provided by the user.
Ada Asks Science Challenge (1:38 minutes)
This video introduces the science challenge. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
Walk to School
Download the PDF
This file shows photos of students walking to school at two different times of the year.
Sunrise (0:20)
Download the Video
This video shows the Sun rising.
City Sunrise (0:10)
Download the Video
This video shows the Sun rising in Tokyo.
Daylight Where I Live
Dowload the PDF
Students use this sheet to record whether the sky is bright or dark when they go to school and go home on four different days of the year.
Walk to School with Flashlights (0:17 minutes)
Download the Video
This video shows students walking to school in the dark while carrying flashlights.
Walk to School with Glow Sticks (0:08 minutes)
Dowload the Video
This video shows students walking to school in the dark while carrying glow sticks.
Walk to School under Streetlights (0:14 minutes)
Download the Video
This video shows students walking to school in the dark under a streetlight.
Kit Tips & Tricks