Curriculum

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 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.

Lesson 1: Where Are My Toys?

Family Letter
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.
Dowload the Family Letter PDF

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 Ada Asks Introduction on YouTube

or Download the Ada Asks Introduction Video

Ada’s Toy Observations
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.
Dowload the Ada's Toy Observations PDF

Lesson 2: Locating the Light

Festivals of Light
This file show festivals from across the world that celebrate with lights.
Download the Festivals of Light PDF

Lesson 3: Oksana, Issa, and Layla

Ukraine, Cameroon, and Lebanon Map
This world map shows the locations of Ukraine, Cameroon, and Lebanon.
Download the Ukraine, Cameroon, and Lebanon PDF

Sunset (0:20 minutes)
This video shows the Sun setting.
Download the Sunset Video

Lesson 4: Lydia and Shirley

Sunrise and Sunset
This website provides the sunrise and sunset times for a location provided by the user.
https://sunrise-sunset.org

Lesson 5: Sunset

Sunset in Ada’s Town
This file shows the time of sunset in Ada’s town in the late summer, fall, and early winter.
Download the Sunset in Ada's Town PDF

City Sunset (0:40)
This video shows the Sun setting in Tokyo.
Download the City Sunset Video

Lesson 6: Sunlight on the National Mall

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, 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.
https://ssec.si.edu/sunlight-national-mall

Sun in the Sky in Ada’s Town
This file is a place to record the Sun’s path in the sky on each day that Ada observes her toys.
Download the Sun in the Sky in Ada's Town PDF

Young Sunflower (0:23 minutes)
This time-lapse video shows a young sunflower tracking the Sun in the day and turning to face east in the night. 
Dowload the Young Sunflower Video

Lesson 7: Mysterious Moon

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 Ada Asks Moon on YouTube

or Download the Ada Asks Moon Video

Ada’s Moon Observations
This file shows the three observations of the Moon made by Ada.
Download the Ada's Moon Observations PDF

Moon Model Observations
This file shows images of the Moon model and images of the real Moon.
Download the Moon Model Observations PDF

Lesson 8: Where Is the Moon?

Full Moon Motion (1:00 minutes)
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

Quarter Moon Motion (1:00 minutes)
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.
Dowload the Quarter Moon Motion Video

Moonrise and Moonset
This website provides the moonrise and moonset times for a location provided by the user.
https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/

Lesson 9: Oksana’s Walk to School Part 1

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 Ada Asks Science Challenge on YouTube

or Download the Ada Asks Science Challenge Video

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

Sunrise (0:20)
This video shows the Sun rising.
Download the Sunrise Video

City Sunrise (0:10)
This video shows the Sun rising in Tokyo.
Download the City Sunrise Video

Daylight Where I Live
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.
Download the Daylight Where I Live PDF

Lesson 10: Oksana’s Walk to School Part 2

Walk to School with Flashlights (0:17 minutes)
This video shows students walking to school in the dark while carrying flashlights.
Download the Walk to School with Flashlights Video

Walk to School with Glow Sticks (0:08 minutes)
This video shows students walking to school in the dark while carrying glow sticks.
Dowload the Walk to School with Glow Sticks Video

Walk to School Under Streetlights (0:14 minutes)
This video shows students walking to school in the dark under a streetlight.
Download the Walk to School Under Streetlights Video

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