5th Grade

Illustration of the night sky and astronomical instruments

Al-Jawza’ Folktale

Learners are introduced to the Al-Jawza’ folktale. Learners complete a gallery walk of the thinking routine “What do you already know? What do you wonder about? What have you learned today?”

Includes

AlJawza constellation images (slides 1-3), AlJawza folktale, Astronomy unit vocabulary

Astronomical Instruments

Learners explore the parts and function of different astronomical tools throughout the ages.

Includes

Astronomical tools thinking routine slides, Astronomical tools teacher guide

Illustration of children playing on monkey bars

Learners are introduced to the rotation of the Earth through a video and the thinking routine ‘see, think, wonder.’ Learners read a short informational text about the rotation of the Earth and the patterns it creates.

Includes

Informational text about the rotation of the Earth, Astronomy unit vocabulary, Timelapse of the sun’s movement across the sky

Data

Learners explore the concept of a pattern and practice interpreting data.

Includes

Data lesson slides, Video of the rotation of the Earth, Astronomy unit vocabulary

Shadows

Learners investigate the relationship between shadows, an object and a light source and begin to understand that the rotation of the Earth causes a change in length and direction of shadows.

Includes

Timelapse of the sun’s movement across the sky

Shadows continued

Learners observe the relationship between shadows, an object and a light source by going outside and practicing scientific behaviors. Learners practice creating data about shadows.

Includes

Shadow tracker, Video of shadows changing throughout the day

Revolution of the Earth

Learners will be introduced to the revolution of the Earth and investigate a new pattern the movement of the Earth creates - the seasonal appearance of stars in the night sky. The investigation takes place through a folktale and an informational text.

Includes

Thuraya’s folktale, Informational text about the Earth’s revolution, Astronomy unit vocabulary, Video of the Earth revolving

Constellation Tour

Learners will investigate the seasonal appearance of stars in the night sky using movement and storytelling.

Includes

Well bucket constellation, Pictures of Seasonal Stars, Constellation tour student roles, Constellation tour script

The House of Wisdom

Learners will watch a short video on astronomy in the medieval Islamic empire and investigate the special contributions of Islamic astronomers.

Includes

Informational text on medieval Islamic science, هارون الرشيد وابنه المأمون.. زمن بغداد الذهبي, بيت الحكمة تأليف بدور القاسمي, مريم وتنين الشمس

Final Project

Learners choose a phenomenon created by the movement of the Earth and a way to represent it through a graphical display of data. Learners create a folktale that explains the phenomenon including an understanding of why this mattered to our ancestors.