LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Science — Grade 3

Goal 3, Objective 3.02

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.

Resources aligned to this objective

Records 1–8 of 8 displayed.

Time - Light and shadow (pre-visit)
Students examine the interplay of the earth and the sun by studying shadows. Students construct a sun clock and record shadows several times during a school day in order to use the earth and the sun to measure time.
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics and Science)
By Denise Young.
Phases of the moon
Young children may have the idea that the moon actually changes shape. This lesson explains that this apparent change is a result of the moon's revolution around the earth.
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Science)
By Jacquelyn Arthur.
The Earth rotates through days
The students will be a part of a model showing how the Earth's rotation creates what we see as a sunrise and sunset every twenty-four hours.
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Science)
By Christine Shatto.

Resources on the web

The sun and the earth
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. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Science and Social Studies)
Provided by: National Geographic
Star search
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students observe stars in the night sky and are encouraged to stargaze on their own. This lesson is geared toward second and third graders who have some experience in the area of observing the night sky. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
The Moon
This Science NetLinks lesson is part of a four-part series in which students observe the daytime and nighttime sky regularly to identify sequences of changes and to look for patterns in these changes. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Lunar cycle
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students become familiar with repeating patterns in nature, namely the phases of the moon. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Collecting the rays
In this lesson, from Illuminations, students explore how variations in solar collectors affect the energy absorbed. They make rectangular prisms that have the same volume but different linear dimensions. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics and Science)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics