The sun and the earth
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/07/g35/seasons.html
A lesson plan for grade 3 Science and Social Studies
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In this lesson from the National Geographic Xpeditions website, students diagram the earth and sun during different seasons to further their understanding of the relationship between these two bodies.
Students will:
- describe the differences between the four seasons
- read about why the seasons occur, and draw diagrams showing the relationship between the Earth and the sun
- do the Cosmic Map activity
- diagram the relationship between the Earth and the sun today
- label several Western Hemisphere cities, and predict what the weather might be like in these places at this time, based on the students’ understanding of the seasons
- find out what the weather is actually like in these places, and compare actual readings with students’ predictions
- write journal entries from the points of view of people living in these cities, stating what season it is and explaining the relationship between their point on Earth and the sun
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 3
- Goal 3: The learner will make observations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of the earth/moon/sun system.
- Objective 3.02: Observe that objects in the sky have patterns of movement including:
- Sun.
- Moon.
- Stars.
- Objective 3.02: Observe that objects in the sky have patterns of movement including:
Social Studies (2003)
Grade 3
- Goal 4: The learner will explain geographic concepts and the relationship between people and geography in real life situations.
- Objective 4.02: Use appropriate source maps to locate communities.
