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.
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
Download the Accessible Version of the Ada Asks Introduction Video
Download the Ada Asks Introduction VideoTranscript
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
Festivals of Light
This file show festivals from across the world that celebrate with lights.
Download the Festivals of Light PDF
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
Download the Accessible Version of the Sunset Video
Download the Sunset Transcript
Sunrise and Sunset
This website provides the sunrise and sunset times for a location provided by the user.
https://sunrise-sunset.org
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
Download the Accessible Version of the City Sunset Video
Download the City Sunset Video Transcript
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
Download the Accessible Version of the Young Sunflower Video
Download the Young Sunflower Video Transcript
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
Download the Accessible Version of the Ada Asks Moon Video
Download the Ada Asks Moon Video Transcript
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
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
Download the Accessible Version of the Full Moon Motion Video
Download the Full Moon Motion Video Transcript
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
Download the Accessible Version of the Quarter Moon Motion Video
Download the Quarter Moon Motion Video Transcript
Moonrise and Moonset
This website provides the moonrise and moonset times for a location provided by the user.
https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/
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
Download the Ada Accessible Version of the Asks Science Challenge Video
Download the Ada Asks Science Challenge Video Transcript
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
Download the Accessible Version of the Sunrise Video
Download the Sunrise Video Transcript
City Sunrise (0:10)
This video shows the Sun rising in Tokyo.
Download the City Sunrise Video
Download the Accessible Version of the City Sunrise Video
Download the City Sunrise Video Transcript
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
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
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 (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
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 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
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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