6th Grade Astronomy and Space Science Unit

Ms. Carr 3rd Quarter

Unit Name:

Astronomy and Space Science

Domain

Unit Description:

Length:

Students will engage in learning about astronomy and space through handson inquiry, interactive science books, and online learning supplements.

14 weeks

Indicate number of
weeks

Enduring
Understandings:
Transferable insights
that transcend beyond
the specifics of the unit.

Essential
Questions:

The universe contains many different physical characteristics.

Bodies in the universe rotate and revolve
Gravity is different throughout the universe
The Moon controls the tide
Politics have had a strong impact on space exploration.
Space shuttles are used to bring supplies and people into space.
Conditions in space are different than conditions on Earth.
Space programs have developed many products we use everyday.
Satellites communicate information and collect weather data.
There have been a few different models of how they solar system
moves.
The solar system is made up of the sun, planet, and smaller objects
The sun is made up of different layers, and has a variety of
characteristics.
The inner planets and outer planets have different characteristics.
How do the Earth, Sun, and the Moon interact?
How does exploring space benefit people on Earth?
Why are objects in the solar system different from each other?

What students will

explore and address.
Open-ended questions
that help uncover
important ideas and lead
into enduring
understandings.

Common Core
Standards

Primary Standards Assessed:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support
analysis of science and technical texts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.2 Determine the central ideas or

Refer to CCSS

Connection to
Critical Areas
Refer to CCSS

Science
Practices:
Make a connection to at
least one Science
practice in the unit

Performance
Assessments
(D) Diagnostic

(F) Formative

(S) Summative

conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct

from prior knowledge or opinions
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when
carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical
tasks

%
READING STANDARDS - CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly
as well as inferences drawn from the text.
%
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text
and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of
the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
%
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3 Analyze in detail how a key
individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a
text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
observe, infer, predict, classify, make models, calculate, create
data tables, communicate, develop hypothesis, interpret data,
draw conclusions, pose questions, critique scientific explanations,
demonstrate consumer literacy, define, identify, name, review,
list, describe, explain, sequence, interpret; diagrams photos,
maps, tables, read graphs, relate diagrams and photos, apply
concepts, solve problems, make generalizations, make judgements,
relate text and visuals, summarize, relate cause and effect,
compare and contrast, estimate, relate evidence and explanation,
design a solution

Diagnostic: Students will be able to activate prior

knowledge of different astronomy topics by read alouds
with children's books. They will also do word sorts in
order to expose them to the upcoming academic
language. The class will also watch videos and read the
books introduction section.
Formative: Lesson quizzes, Notebook checks, key concept
idea writing assignments, Station summaries, Phases of
the Moon Activity Webquests, Constellation Project,
Graphic Organizers, Rocket Timeline, Space Exploration
Writing Piece, Space Station and Probe Activity, Written
Piece How has space travel helped you?, model of the
universe activity, solar system activity, sun activity,
inner and outer planets project, small objects activity,
lesson review and reinforcement worksheets, enrich

Ensure that summative

assessments are directly
tied to standards listed
above

worksheets, performance tasks, and jeopardy.

Key Terms/ Ideas

Chapter 1
Moon, Satellite, Planet, Meteors, Comet, Star, Constellation, Astronomer, Star Chart,
Polaris, Apparent Motion, Seasonal Changes, Axis, Rotation, Revolution, Calendars,
Solstice, Northern and Southern Hemispheres, Equinox, Force, Gravity, Law of
Universal Gravitation, Mass, Weight, Inertia, Newtons First Law of Motion, Phases,
Eclipse, Solar Eclipse, Umbra, penumbra, Lunar Eclipse, TIdes, Spring Tide, Neap
Tide, Maria, Craters, Meteoroids
Chapter 2
Rocket, Thrust, Velocity, Fuel, Orbital Velocity, Escape Velocity, Multistage Rocket,
Space Race, Satellite, Artificial Satellite, Apollo Program, Moonquakes, Space
Shuttles, Space Station, International Space Station, Space Probe, Rovers, Vacuum,
Microgravity, Space Spinoff, Consumer products, new materials, medical devices,
Remote Sensing, Geostationary Orbit
Chapter 3
Geocentric, Ptolemys Model, Heliocentric Model, Copernicus, Brahe and Kepler,
Galileo, Solar System, Astronomical Unit, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Dwarf Planets, Planets, Gravity, Planetesimals, Inner
planets, Outer planets, Core, Nuclear Fusion, Radiation Zone, Convection Zone,
Photosphere, Chromosphere, Corona, Solar Wind, Sunspots, Prominences, Solar
Flares, Solar Wind, Terrestrial Planets, Inner Planets, Mercury, Venus, Greenhouse
Effect, Earth, Mars, Gas Giants, Ring, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Asteroid
Belt, Kuiper Belt, Oort Cloud, Dwarf Planet, Comet, Coma, Nucleus, Asteroid,
Meteoroid, Meteor, Meteorite

Summative: Students will have a performance task and a

chapter test for each chapter.

Texts/ Resources Texts:

Astronomy and Space Science Pearson Interactive
Material used for
Science
teaching/learning

Interactive Science Astronomy and Space Science

Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky- Elphinstone

Dayrell
The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons
The Moon by Seymour Simon
One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh
Moon Shot: The Flight of Apollo 11
On Earth by G Brian Karas
The Sun by Seymour Simon
Sun, Moon, and Earth by Robin Heath (Poems?)

Resources:
Websites

 pearsonsuccessnet.com
The Childrens University of Manchester: The Earth and
Beyond
http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/
earthandbeyond/soonmoonearth/

Learning Activities

Activities students will complete during the unit that will lead to desired
outcomes

Week 1:
Diagnostic
Assessment and
Chapter
Introduction

Topic: 1.1 - The Sky from Earth

Goals/Skills: Reading: Identify the Main Ideas
Inquiry - Observe, Predict, Communicate, Relate Cause and Effect
Activity: My Planet Diary, Apply it Activity, Assess Your Understanding, Inquiry
Activity, Vocabulary Activity, Constellation Project

Week 2:

Topic: 1.2 - Earth in Space

Goals/Skills: Reading: Sequence
Inquiry - Infer, Draw Conclusions
Activity: My Planet Diary, Assess Your Understanding, Vocabulary Activity,
Calendar Station Reviews, Solstice and Equinox Charts

Week 3:

Topic: 1.3-Gravity and Motion 1.4- Phases and Eclipses

Goals/Skills: Reading: Draw Conclusions and Relate Text and Visuals
Inquiry - Infer, Predict, Make Models, Reading Graphs, Compare and Contrast
Activity: My Planet Diary, Assess Your Understanding, Do the Math! Analyzing
Data, Apply it Activity, Inquiry Activity, Webquest, Moon Phases Oreo Activity

Week 4:

Topic: 1.5-Tides 1.6- Earths Moon

Goals/Skills: Reading - Relate Cause and Effect and Compare and Contrast
Inquiry - Observe, Infer, Create Data Table, Communicate, Interpret Diagrams,
Photos, Maps, and Tables
Activity: My Planet Diary, Apply it Activity, Assess Your Understanding,
Vocabulary Activity

Week 5:
Part 1 Assessments

Topic: Chapter Review and Assessments

Goals/Skills: Reading Review Main Ideas
Inquiry - Chapter Wrap Up
Activity: The Tides Model, Jeopardy
Chapter 1 Test via pearsonsuccess.net

Week 6:

Topic: 2.1- The Science of Rockets

Goals/Skills: Reading - Relate Text and Visuals
Inquiry - Interpret Data and Design Experiments
Activity:My Planet Diary, Apply it Activity, Inquiry Activity. Vocabulary Activity,
Rocked Advancements Timeline, Rocket Activity

Week 7:

Topic: 2.2- The History of Space Exploration

Goals/Skills: Reading -Ask Questions
Inquiry - Infer and Design Experiments
Activity: My Planet Diary, Apply it Activity, Inquiry Activity, Space Shuttle/
Probe Activity, Conditions in Space Simulation

Week 8:

Topic: 2.3- Using Space Science on Earth

Goals/Skills: Reading - Identify the Main Idea
Inquiry - Calculate, Relate text and Visuals,
Activity: My Planet Diary, Apply it Activity, Inquiry Activity

Week 9:
Assessment Part
Two

Topic: Review and Assessment

Goals/Skills: Reading - Identify the Main Idea
Inquiry - Analyze Data and Review
Activity: Study Guide, Jeopardy, Chapter Project
Chapter 2 Assessments via pearsonsuccess.net

Week 10:

Topic: 3.1- Models of the Solar System 3.2- Introducing the Solar System
Goals/Skills: Reading - Sequence and Identifying Supporting Evidence
Inquiry - Draw Conclusions and Communicate
Activity: My Planet Diary, Apply it Activity, Inquiry Activity

Week 11:

Topic: 3.3- The Sun 3.4-The Inner Planets

Goals/Skills: Reading - Relate Cause and Effect, Compare and Contrast
Inquiry - Communicate and Develop Hypotheses
Activity: My Planet Diary, Apply it Activity, Inquiry Activity

Week 12:

Topic: 3.5- The Outer Planets 3.6- Small Solar System Objects
Goals/Skills: Reading - Outline and Summarize
Inquiry - Make Models, Relate text and Visuals, Compare and Contrast
Activity: My Planet Diary, Apply it Activity, Inquiry Activity

Week 13:

Topic: Review And Assessment

Goals: Review the Unit and Complete a Culminating Activity
Activity: Space Science Demonstration

Week 14:
Assessment Part 3

Topic: Assessment

Accommodations/
Modifications

Special Education/Bilingual accommodations and modification:

__x__Change pace of instruction ___x__ Shortened assignments ____Audio-taped
stories
_____Flexible Grouping
_____ Assistive technology

_____ Preferential seating

____Highlighted texts

____Small Instruction ____Defined physical space

____Frequent feedbacks ____Oral responses

__x___Peer tutoring __x__Oral test

_____Team/Col Teaching

_____Reduced paper/pencil tasks __x__

___x__ Modified Grading Scale

Other__________________________________________________________

6th Grade Science Unit Lesson Plan

Teacher: Catherine Carr
Class/Grade: 6th grade
Unit: Earth, Moon, and Sun (Weeks 1-5)
Enduring Understandings:
The universe contains many different physical characteristics.
Bodies in the universe rotate and revolve
Gravity is different throughout the universe
The Moon controls the tide

Essential Question:
How do the Earth, Sun, and the Moon interact?
Guiding Questions:
What can you see in the night sky?
How do objects in the sky appear to move?
How does the Earth move?
What causes seasons?
What determines gravity?
What keeps objects in orbit?
What causes the moons phases?
What are Eclipses?
What are tides?
What is the moon like?
Standards
Illinois Science Standards
Page 30: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/ils/science/pdf/descriptor_6-12.pdf
Common Core State Standards
Assessments
(D) Diagnostic- Pre assessment
Read Aloud with Children's Science book to check students prior knowledge and current
understanding
Word Sort- to get students introduces or review academic language
(F) Formative
Quizzes- 6 total (1 per chapter)
Discussions
Worksheets/ Workbook Pages
activities in the interactive science workbook
Review and Reinforce
Enrich

Note Checks
Constellation Project
Callender Stations Summary
Solstice and Equinox Graphic Organizer
Webquest
Phases of the Moon Activity
Jeopardy
(S) Summative
Exam
Performance Assessment
The Tides- students use tennis, golf, and ping pong ball to show how the moon's movement
affects the tides on earth (shown with clay)
Texts/Resources
Website with sources http://www.librarypoint.org/earth_moon_sun
Word Detective Vocab Sheet: https://wvde.state.wv.us/strategybank/WordDetective.html
Books
Interactive Science Astronomy and Space Science
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky- Elphinstone Dayrell
The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons
The Moon by Seymour Simon
One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh
Moon Shot: The Flight of Apollo 11
On Earth by G Brian Karas
The Sun by Seymour Simon
Sun, Moon, and Earth by Robin Heath (Poems?)
Websites
Lunar and Planetary Institute
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/resources/stars_galaxies/stars.shtml
PBS- Your Sky Tonight
http://www.pbs.org/seeinginthedark/explore-the-sky/your-sky-tonight.html
Legends of the night Sky: Orion Educators Guide- Constellation Research Project
http://www.spitzinc.com/pdfs/educ_guide_orion.pdf
Today I Found Out- Evolution of Modern Calendar Article
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/09/the-evolution-of-the-modern-day-calendar/
Evolution of Calendars
http://www.moonsighting.com/evolution.html
Mayan calendar
Egyptian Calendar
Hebrew
Egyptian
Greek
Chinese
Babylonia
Interactive Websites
The Childrens University of Manchester: The Earth and Beyond
http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/earthandbeyond/soonmoo
nearth/
Videos
1 min constellation video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0-erXr0394
Star and Constellation Stories (first 1:15 and last 20 seconds)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg1-HFqt-6M
Short History of our Modern Calendar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzprsR2SvrQ
Unit: Exploring Space (Weeks 6-10)
Enduring Understandings:
Rockets have become much more complex since their invention.
Rockets require fuel.
Politics have had a strong impact on space exploration.
Space shuttles are used to bring supplies and people into space.
Probes send information from the solar system to space.
Conditions in space are different than conditions on Earth.
Space programs have developed many products we use everyday.
Satellites communicate information and collect weather data.

Essential Question:
How does exploring space benefit people on Earth?
Guiding Questions:
How were rockets developed?
How does a rocket work?
What is the main advantage of a multistage rocket?
What was the space race?
How are space shuttles and space stations used?
how are space probes used?
What are conditions like in space?
How has space technology benefited people?
What are some uses of satellites orbiting earth?

Performance Assessment:
Diagnostic
Vocab Activity
Activating Prior Knowledge
Formative
Quizzes- 3
Discussions
Workbook Pages
Worksheets
Review and Reinforce
Lesson Summary
Enrich
Notebook Checks
Rocket Timeline
Space Race Explanatory Writing Piece
Space Station and Probe Activity
Written Piece: How has space travel helped you?

Summative
Written Exam
Performance Assessment
Key Terms/Ideas:
Lesson 1- The Science of Rockets
Rocket, Thrust, Velocity, Fuel, Orbital Velocity, Escape Velocity, Multistage Rocket
Lesson 2- History of Space Exploration
Space Race, Satellite, Artificial Satellite, Apollo Program, Moonquakes, Space Shuttles, Space
Station, International Space Station, Space Probe, Rovers,
Lesson 3- Using Space Science on Earth
Vacuum, Microgravity, Space Spinoff, Consumer products, new materials, medical devices,
Remote Sensing, Geostationary Orbit,
Text Resources:
Unit: The Solar System (Weeks 9-12)
Enduring Understandings:
There have been a few different models of how they solar system moves.
The solar system is made up of the sun, planet, and smaller objects
The sun is made up of different layers, and has a variety of characteristics.
The inner planets and outer planets have different characteristics.

Essential Questions:
Why are objects in the solar system different from each other?

Guiding Questions:
What was the Geometric Model?
How did the Heliocentric Model Develop?
What makes up the solar system?
How did the solar system form?
What is the structure of the sun?
What features can you see on the sun?
What do inner planets have in common?
What are the characteristics of the Inner Planets?
What do the Outer planets have in common?
What are the characteristics of each outer planet?
How do scientists classify small objects in the solar system?

Performance Assessment:
Diagnostic
Vocabulary Activity
Videos
Chapter Introduction
Formative
Quizzes- 6

Discussion
Workbooks
Assess Your Understanding
Apply It!
Worksheets
Notebook Checks
Models of the UNiverse Activity
Solar System Activity
Sun Activity
Inner and Outer Planets Activity
Small Objects Activity
Summative
Written Exam
Performance Assessment
Key Terms/ Ideas:
Lesson 1- Models of the Solar System
Geocentric, Ptolemys Model, Heliocentric Model, Copernicus, Brahe and Kepler, Galileo
Lesson 2- Introducing the Solar System
Solar System, Astronomical Unit, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
Neptune, Dwarf Planets, Planets, Gravity, Planetesimals, Inner planets, Outer planets
Lesson 3- The Sun
Core, Nuclear Fusion, Radiation Zone, Convection Zone, Photosphere, Chromosphere, Corona,
Solar Wind, Sunspots, Prominences, Solar Flares, Solar Wind
Lesson 4- The Inner Planets
Terrestrial Planets, Inner Planets, Mercury, Venus, Greenhouse Effect, Earth, Mars,
Lesson 5- The Outer Planets
Gas Giants, Ring, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune,
Lesson 6- Small Solar System Objects
Asteroid Belt, Kuiper Belt, Oort Cloud, Dwarf Planet, Comet, Coma, Nucleus, Asteroid,
Meteoroid, Meteor, Meteorite,
Text Resources:

Week

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Week 1:
Introduction
to chapter
and
beginning
Lesson 1

Engage with
a Childrens
Book

What can you

see in the
night sky?Stars, moon,
planets,
meteors, and
comets.

Continue
constellation
project
(possibly
present in
small groups)

Review and
Reinforce
Worksheets

Present
Constellation
Projects

Enrich
Worksheets

Lesson 1
Quiz

Word
Matching:
Satellite,
Planet,
Meteor,
Comet, Star,
Constellation,

Notes p. 4-7
Start
Constellation

HW: Read
and do
activities p.89

HW: Start
Reading
Lesson 2
p.10-13 and

Axis,
Rotation,
Revolution,
Orbit,
Calendar,
Solstice,
Equinox

Project

activities

HW:
Constellation
Project

HW:
Separate
terms in
groups so
that all
students
complete
about 3 word
detective
sheets`
Week 2:
Lesson 2

Notes: p. 1013 and acting

out Rotation
vs.
Revolution
(maybe make
it into a fun
Simon says
game)

Calendar
Stations with
written
responses
about the
evolution of
the calendar
p.14-17 and
activities

What causes
Seasons?
Notes p.1417

Lesson 2
Quiz

Vocabulary
Activity with
Lessons 3-4
Terms: Force,
Gravity, Law
of Universal
Gravitation,
Mass,
Weight,
Inertia,
Newton's
First Law of
Motion,
Phase,
Eclipse, Solar
Eclipse,
umbra,
penumbra,
lunar eclipse

Phases of the
Moon activity
(Oreo Dollar
Tree
Cookies?)

Notes p. 2527
Review and
Reinforce
Worksheet

HW: Finish
Phase Lab

HW: Enrich
Worksheet

Solstice and
Equinox
Graphic
Organizer?
HW: Review
and
Reinforce
possibly
Enrich

Week 3:
Lesson 3 and
Starting
Lesson 4

Read and
Take notes
Lesson 3 p.
18-21 and
activities
HW: Review
and
Reinforce;
Prepare for
Notebook

Lesson 3
Quiz
Free Time to
check notes
and add
vocab or
terms or in
case we fall
behind

Once
students
have notes
checked they
start a
webquest
HW: Start
Lesson 4 p.
22-24 and
activities

Week 4:
Finish lesson
4 Begin
Lesson 5

Check

HW: GET
ALL NOTES!
GRADED the
next day

Lesson 4
Quiz

Notes on
Tides p. 2831

Vocab: Tide,
Spring Tide,
Neap Tide,
Maria, Crater,
Meteoroid

HW: Review
and
Reinforce

Enrich
Worksheet
Lesson 5
Quiz
HW: Start
Lesson 6 p.
32-35

Notes on
Lesson 6
p.32-35
HW: Review
and
Reinforce

Lesson 6
Quiz
HW: Start
thinking
about The
Tides model

Read p. 2831
HW: Finish
Reading p.
28-31 and
complete
activities
Week 5:
Chapter 1
Assessment

Students
work on their
The Tides
models

Students
finish The
Tides
HW: Chapter models and
1 Study
Galley Walk
Guide in book finished
p.36-39
product

Chapter 1
Exam

Notes p. 4647
Timeline
Research
Activity

Notes p.4859
Read p.50-51
and notes in
class

Enrich
Worksheet
Lesson 1
Quiz

Rocket Lab?
or activity

HW: Read
and Activities
p.48-49

HW: Review
and
Reinforce

Notes on p.
52-56

Notes p. 5761

Enrich
Worksheet

Notes p. 6263

Notes p. 6467

Space Race
Video?

Space
Shuttle and
Probe activity

Lesson 2
Quiz

Conditions in
Space
Activity?

Review and
Reinforce

HW: Keep
working on
model
Week 6:
Start Chapter
2- Lesson 1

Intro to
Chapter
Activity
Vocabulary
Activity
HW: Read
and Activities
p. 46-47

Week 7:
Lesson 2

HW: Read

Jeopardy
Game

HW: Read

HW:

HW: read and

activities p.
52-56

HW: Enrich

and Activities
p. 57-61

HW: Review
and
Reinforce

and Activities
p.62-63

HW: Read
and Activities
p. 64- 67

Week 8:
Lesson 3 and
Chapter 2
Assessment

Lesson 3
Quiz

Go over
study guide

Jeopardy

Chapter 2
Test

Finish
Chapter
Project

HW: Study
Guide p. 6871

Chapter
Project

Week 9:
Start Chapter
3 Lesson 1
and Lesson 2

Vocab Activity Notes on

p.78-81
Chapter
Introduction
Review and
Reinforce
HW: Read
Worksheet
And do
activities
HW: Enrich
Lesson 1 p.
78-81

Lesson 1
Quiz

Notes p. 8687

Lesson 2
Quiz

Read and
Notes p. 8285

Review and
Reinforce
Worksheet

HW: Read
and activities
p. 88-91

HW: p. 86-87

HW: Enrich

Notes p. 8892

Enrich

Group notes
and
presentations
of inner
planets- p.96101

Week 10:
Lesson 3 and
Lesson 4

HW: Read
and Activities
p.92-93

Week 11:
Lesson 5

Week 12:
Chapter 3
Assessment

Outer planet
stations

Chapter 3
Assessment

Sun Activity/
Video
HW: Review
and
Reinforce

HW: Study
for Exam and
work on
Chapter
Project

Lesson 3
Quiz
HW: Read
and Activities
p. 94-95

HW: Review
and
Reinforce

Review and
Reinforce

Lesson 5
Quiz

Notes p. 110115

Enrich

HW: Read
and Activities
p. 110-115

Small objects
in the solar
system
activity

Review
Chapters 1-3

Review
Chapters 1-3

Chapters 1-3
Assessment

Enrich
Lesson 4
Quiz
HW: read and
activities p.
102-103

Review
Game for
Chapter 3

Chapters 1-3
Assessment