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Grade 5 Earth and Space Sciences Benchmark A: Cycles and Patterns
 
This mini-collection aligns with Earth and Space Science Benchmark A: Explain the characteristics, cycles and patterns involving Earth and its place in the Solar System. The lessons in this collection challenge students to collect data and draw conclusions about day/night and lunar cycles. Another mini-collection in this series dealt with Earth in the Solar System. For best results, instruction should incorporate science process skills with the content. Several of the resources are also aligned to the scientific process standards.


   
Day and Night (ORC#: 5247)
 
This is a good introductory activity that will appeal to kinesthetic learners. There are many misconceptions about the Earth-Sun-Moon cycle that persist even after instruction. One way to combat these misconceptions is to present the scientific concept in a variety of ways. Acting out the Earth's rotation and revolution and the relative motion of the earth, sun, and moon provides students with another way to visualize this system. (ts)


   
Moon Journal Activity (ORC#: 409)
 
The cycles and patterns we observe in the solar system take place over days, months, and years. The study of these patterns should take place throughout the academic year rather than in one intensive unit of study. Revisiting topics such as day/night, lunar cycles, and seasons intermittently throughout the year allows students to observe the patterns over and over again, reinforcing what they have learned. This lesson requires that students make moon observations throughout a lunar cycle. Students record their observation in a journal. They also use their journal for asking questions and reflecting. (ts)


   
Lunar Cycle Challenge (ORC#: 8164)
 
The Lunar Cycle Challenge is a content resource that gives students an opportunity to apply what they have learned about lunar cycles in an interactive online applet. Students will enjoy this unique resource. At first glance the resource seems like a fun computer game. But the reality is that to be successful students must observe the pattern and select the correct moon phase to complete the pattern. It is fun to do, but it also builds important scientific skills. Students may be asked to analyze patterns and predict the next likely event on the achievement test. (ts)


   
World Watch (ORC#: 42)
 
This is another great content resource that helps students learn more about earth-sun-moon patterns. This resource shows current areas of day and night. The site updates every 5 minutes. This illustrates the Earth's rotation and the resulting day/night patterns. A possible classroom application would be to access the site in the morning and record on a world map approximately where the eastern (or western) edge of daylight is at that time. After some time has passed (15-30 minutes) revisit the site and record where the eastern (or western) edge of daylight is at that time. Do this throughout the day. Students should observe that the illuminated (day time) portion is moving from east to west. Follow the data collection with a discussion of day and night. (ts)