5^th Grade Astronomy Unit Blueprint

Pacing Suggestions:
Day 1— Part 1, Steps 1-10 and 12-13 on pages 67-69
Day 2— Part 1, Steps 14-20/21
Day 3— Part 2, Steps 1-10 & 15 on pages 75-77
Day 4— Part 2, Steps 11-14 & 16 (self-assessment only)
Day 5— Shape of the Earth Assessment

Teacher Resources:
Tips	Shape of the Earth Assessment Adobe® Reader® (PDF) Shape of the Earth Assessment (Microsoft Word Format) Assessment Rubric Adobe® Reader® (PDF) Assessment Rubric (Microsoft Word Format)

What is the shape of the earth?

4B(3-5)#2: Like all planets and stars, the earth is approximately spherical in shape. The rotation of the earth on its axis every 24 hours produces the night-and-day cycle. To people on earth, this turning of the planet makes it seem as though the sun, moon, planets, and stars are orbiting the earth once a day.

Introduces: 4F(3-5)#3: Light travels and tends to maintain its direction of motion until it interacts with an object or material. Light can be absorbed, redirected, bounced back, or allowed to pass through.

11B(3-5)#2: Geometric figures, number sequences, graphs, diagrams, sketches, number lines, maps, and stories can be used to represent objects, events, and processes in the real world, although such representations can never be exact in every detail.

Teacher observation of students completing Shape of Earth worksheet and class/individual discussions about activity (See Conducting Part 1, Steps 10-12 on pages 68-69 in Teacher Guide.)

Formal Assessment: Shape of the Earth Assessment (Teacher-generated assessment available under "Teacher Resources" on the electronic blueprint.)

Teachers need to listen carefully for students' conceptions about the shape of the earth. While the majority of students state the earth is spherical, some believe otherwise. For example, some students believe the earth has flat spots on it, resembling some type of polyhedron.

Class discussion of Shape of the Earth activity/simulation and independent student responses on the Response Sheet—Round Earth/Flat Earth provide opportunities to assess students' understanding of the shape of the earth and how they know it. (See the first two paragraphs on page 63 in FOSS Teacher Guide.) Use of models should be incorporated into students' answers of "how they know" the earth is spherical.

Shape of the Earth Assessment

Use the rubric available under "Teacher Resources" on the electronic blueprint.