3.3.5.A: Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of…
Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from Earth.
The Pennsylvania Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) Standards outcome 3.3.5.A (Earth and Space Sciences) for Grade 5 says: “Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from Earth.” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: Pennsylvania Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) Standards.
Sun, Earth and Moon Grades 4–5
Why it's breakfast time in Calgary and bedtime in Singapore, why your shadow swings round the stick, why the Moon changes shape and why some places barely have seasons. Students build models with balls and lamps, track real shadows and read real sky data from cities around the world.
- How far away is the Sun, really? 50–60 min
Teams build the Sun, Earth and Moon to one scale, with an exercise ball, a peppercorn and a grain of salt, then pace out the real distances on the school field. They use the model and a flashlight test to argue why the Sun looks so much bigger and brighter than any other star.
Printable practice for 3.3.5.A
These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to 3.3.5.A is partial.
- Sun, Earth and Moon workbook included with the unit
1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 practice page, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- Stars and the Night Sky workbook included with the unit
1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 practice page, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- The Solar System: Gravity, Orbits and Scale workbook included with the unit
2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
Need just this outcome? Build a custom pack from these pages, with its answer key, in about a minute. Custom packs come with All-access and school licences.
Compared with NGSS: 5-ESS1-1 (partial), MS-ESS1-3 (partial).
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