This document outlines an astronomy unit of study for 4th grade. It includes lessons on the solar system, properties of planets, remembering planet order, differences between rocky and gas planets, what makes Earth unique, and causes of day/night, seasons and moon phases. Students learn about the sun, Earth and moon's movement and positions. They observe shadows and the moon's changing appearance over a cycle.

1. Astronomy Unit of Study
Fourth Grade DFES 2014

2. What makes a neighborhood?
1. How would you describe our location of
planet Earth? Is this a neighborhood? What
is in it? Resource: pg. 216
2. What are the places in Earth’s
neighborhood?

3. Our Solar System
Pages 208-209
planets moons comets star other
orbit the sun orbits a planet ice and rock only 1 in our
system: the
sun!
asteroids
gassy or rocky rocky burn up in
contact with
atmosphere
gassy space junk and
satellites

4. What physical features do the planets have?
Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto--
dwarf
planet
red=inner
rocky
plantets
blue=outer
gas planets
Pages 212-
215

5. How can we remember the order of the
planets?
Planet order song (mellow)
Planet order (rap)
Acronym: MVEMJSUNP
My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine
Pizzas!

6. The Rocky P’s and Gassy G’s
Classify the planets into 2 groups!
Rocky Planets Gassy Giants

7. How did you do?

8. What do the planets have in common?
All planets orbit the
_____, the only _____
in our solar system.
They all orbit in a path
around the _____.

9. What do the planets have in common?
All planets orbit the
sun, the only star in our
solar system.
They all orbit in a path
around the sun in our
solar system.
orbit: to make a
complete revolution

10. How is earth unlike other planets?
Earth is unique
because….
1.
2.
3.

11. How is earth unlike other planets?
Earth is unique
because….
1. It has atmosphere
and weather.
2. It was liquid water.
3. It is inhabited by
organisms.

12. What have we learned?
1. The rocky planets are________
2. The gas giants are ________
3. The smallest planets are_________
4. The largest planets are__________
5. The order of the planets from closest to the sun to the
farthest from the sun _______________
6. Earth is unique because_________________________

13. The Earth, Moon, and Sun
1. Work in pairs to write descriptions of the SUN,
EARTH, and the MOON.
2. Use any of the following resources:
● Text pgs 190, and pages 196-197.
● NASA Kids Explore
● Study Jams: The Moon
● Study Jams: A Day on Earth
● Orbit of the Earth and Moon
● The Earth, Moon, and the Sun

14. Earth, Moon, and Sun
What type of object is each, what atmosphere does it have, and how is its
surface classified?
Earth Moon Sun
type: type: type:
atmosphere: atmosphere: atmosphere:
surface: surface surface
movement
movement
movement
and position
and position
and position

15. Venn Diagram

16. Key for Venn Diagram

17. How do the moon and sun differ?
The moon ______the earth. It is a natural
_________ because it goes around another
object. The sun, on the other hand, never ever
________. The sun _________light while
the moon ___________the light from the
sun. We would _______without the sun, but
we could live without the moon.

18. With the Sun’s Light Without the Sun’s Light

19. Why do we have shadows?
You will need:
● a light source
● an object
● a surface

20. How do shadows change?
I noticed... I wonder...

21. Why do shadows change?
I noticed… I wonder...

22. Changes in Outdoor Shadows
Qualitative Quantitative

23. Illustrate/Create a Model
Label the light source, object, shadow, and the
time of day.

24. What can we conclude?
When the light source was _________, the
shadow __________ from _____ to_____
centimeters in length.

25. Quick Write
Explain and illustrate how earth’s rotation
causes changes in the sunlight we receive in the
western hemisphere during a 24 hour cycle.
What evidence do you have that earth rotates?
A Day on Earth with Study Jams

26. Lunar Observations
I noticed I wonder
Page 218-219

27. Research Time!
Sources of data:
1. primary source--observations from your log
2. text pgs. 196-202
3. nonfiction books at your table
4. Star Child
5. NASA
6. The Moon’s Phases

28. How does the moon appear to change over time?

29. Why does the moon appear to change?
The moon
has a cycle
or phases.
Check out
this video
clip!

30. How does the moon affect earth?
Let’s see how water
changes on earth!
Bill Nye

31. Discussion Time!
1. What causes day and night?
2. Which celestial bodies orbit?
3. What is earth’s natural satellite?
4. How can we classify the planets?

32. What Causes the Seasons?
There are
reasons for the
seasons! Watch
this clip and
take the quiz!

33. Create a Model!
You will need:
A light source
A replica of earth
An axis point

34. Let’s Review!
When the northern hemisphere is tilted away
from the sun, it is __________. But, in the
southern hemisphere, it is _____________.
It is hotter in the summer because the rays are
more _________ than in the winter.

35. Observing the Night Sky
1. What tool can we use magnify the surface of
the moon from earth?
2. Which star is a constant source of direction
in the night sky?
3. Why do the positions of the constellations
vary throughout the year?

36. Constellations
What are constellations?
Why were they important to natives and the
explorers?
How could the stars help you find a direction?

37. Quantify It!
1. How many:
a. Hours in a day?
b. Days in a month?
c. Days in a year?
2. How many?
a. low tides in one day?
b. high tides in one day?
c. hours between low and high tide?

38. Some Answers
Earth revolves around the Sun one time each
year in about 365 days.
Earth rotates every 24 hours to create day and
night.
There are 29 ½ days each month.

39. Review Time!
Read and answer questions 1-10 on pages 222-
223.
Create a foldable as a study guide on the Earth
and Moon (see page 203).