Trimester 1: Sun, Moon, and Earth
NEW! (December 6th, 2011)
In the last few weeks before winter break, third graders will be filming their projects about the planets of our solar system! We are learning how to script write, use a green screen, and use iMovie to edit our videos. Watch for these movies to appear on our website after Winter Break!
NEW! (October 25th, 2011)
Third grade has had an out of this world experience! Recently, we tried to model the distances between the planets by walking a scaled distance of the solar system on the Sheridan School playground. We discovered that we ran out of room! The solar system is so huge!
We are now beginning our study of stars. Students will conduct experiments to discover properties of stars such as size, temperature, and brightness. Students will also study constellations and craft a new constellation. On November 2nd all third grade students will attend Starlab. Starlab is a a blow up planetarium that allows students to identify various stars (like the North Star, for example). Students will also hear many of the constellation stories. Be sure to ask your third grader about his/her favorite constellation story.
NEW! (September 20th, 2011)
Third grade just completed their experiments on moon craters. We learned that larger moon craters are produced when an object is bigger or moving at a greater speed upon impact. Students will now move into a discussion about the cause of moon phases and eclipses. We will learn that moon phases are caused by a change in position of the Earth and moon in relation to the sun, while eclipses are caused by shadows of solar system bodies. These are two very difficult concepts. As such, multiple experiences and exposures to shadows and position change will be required for an in-depth understanding to occur. As we learn about these two concepts, we will relate them to our year-long theme - SYSTEMS AND RELATIONSHIPS. A system's operation changes when a relationship within the system changes. Soon, third grade will explore the idea of a model so we can better understand our solar system. We will apply this idea as we learn about the planets (order, size, distance between, etc.)
NEW! (August 27th, 2011)
Our third graders are out of this world! We will begin our astronomy unit by reading Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun by Marianne Berkes. Third grade will examine what they already know about the solar system and determine what they want to know by completing their own "I Wonder" flip charts. As we discuss what we already know, we will do a brief review of some important concepts from second grade. We will examine the concepts of rotation, revolution, and tilt a bit more in depth. Students will be introduced to a more formal lab report as we focus on moon craters.
- solar system
- hemisphere
- phase (moon phases)
- gibbous
- waxing
- waning
- new moon
- full moon
- crescent
- constellation
- season
- day/night
- rotation
- revolution
- axis
- orbit
- tilt
