Astronomy
Curiosity and wonder have always been powerful drivers of scientific inquiry. People before us have been propelled by wonder to answer deep questions about our universe through observation and data collection, which our current knowledge is indebted to. How can we harness this same wonder that spurred our ancestors in order to explore our universe? In this unit, learners will explore the patterns that the Earth’s movement creates from within a historical context grounded in the Islamic Golden Age of science.
Lesson sequence
- 1
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?”
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies - 2
Astronomical Instruments
Learners explore the parts and function of different astronomical tools throughout the ages.
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies - 3
Rotation of the Earth
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.
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies - 4
Data
Learners explore the concept of a pattern and practice interpreting data.
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies - 5
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.
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies - 6
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.
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies - 7
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.
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies - 8
Constellation Tour
Learners will investigate the seasonal appearance of stars in the night sky using movement and storytelling.
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies - 9
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.
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies - 10
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.
5th Grade·Science, Social Studies
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