Our first grade astronomers will begin to observe and identify the patterns created by the motion of the earth, moon, and sun. We will begin by studying the sun and its impact on the planet Earth. Next we will learn about the life cycle of a star including what makes a black hole. The Earth moves in two ways (rotation and revolution) which affects day and night and the seasons of the year. Lastly, first graders will venture into outer space and learn all about the eight main planets and dwarf planets that exist in our solar system.
What You Can Do at Home
Activities
1. At night, look outside your window, or walk outside and look at the stars. Ask your child to describe how the stars look. Talk to your child about that the scientific definition of a star (a ball of burning hydrogen and helium gases). It is helpful for the child to put his or her understanding about stars into words. Suggest that your child come up with at least four words to describe stars.
2. Talk to your child about how the earth’s rotation along its axis causes day and night and how sunlight is important to life on earth. Help your child begin to look at these phenomena by doing some activities involving sun shadows during the day and stars at night. Some questions you can ask your child are:
a. What happens to your shadow if you stand at the top of a hill?
b. Which way does your shadow slant if the sun is in the east?
c. What other kind of shadows can your child make? (You may make double shadows, animal shapes, dark and light shadows --the sky is the limit.)
Websites
Scholastic Studyjams: A Day on Earth. Learn all about how the Earth rotates on its axis giving us day and night and why different areas of the Earth have different seasons.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/solar-system/day-on-earth.htm
KidsAstronomy.com: Click on any item in the solar system to learn more about objects in space.
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
Suggested Reading
National Geographic Readers: Planets by Elizabeth Carney. Read about our solar system, including all of the planets and dwarf planets, and lots of fascinating fun facts.
National Geographic Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes. These colorful pages will introduce young children to the wonders of space, with colorful illustrations by David Aguilar and simple text that is perfect for beginning readers or for reading aloud.
For a list of science nonfiction books, please click on the link titled Favorite Links and Books to Read. Click on the sublink Grades K-2 Science Nonfiction Books, where you will find a detailed list of books related to many different topics in science.
What You Can Do at Home
Activities
1. At night, look outside your window, or walk outside and look at the stars. Ask your child to describe how the stars look. Talk to your child about that the scientific definition of a star (a ball of burning hydrogen and helium gases). It is helpful for the child to put his or her understanding about stars into words. Suggest that your child come up with at least four words to describe stars.
2. Talk to your child about how the earth’s rotation along its axis causes day and night and how sunlight is important to life on earth. Help your child begin to look at these phenomena by doing some activities involving sun shadows during the day and stars at night. Some questions you can ask your child are:
a. What happens to your shadow if you stand at the top of a hill?
b. Which way does your shadow slant if the sun is in the east?
c. What other kind of shadows can your child make? (You may make double shadows, animal shapes, dark and light shadows --the sky is the limit.)
Websites
Scholastic Studyjams: A Day on Earth. Learn all about how the Earth rotates on its axis giving us day and night and why different areas of the Earth have different seasons.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/solar-system/day-on-earth.htm
KidsAstronomy.com: Click on any item in the solar system to learn more about objects in space.
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
Suggested Reading
National Geographic Readers: Planets by Elizabeth Carney. Read about our solar system, including all of the planets and dwarf planets, and lots of fascinating fun facts.
National Geographic Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes. These colorful pages will introduce young children to the wonders of space, with colorful illustrations by David Aguilar and simple text that is perfect for beginning readers or for reading aloud.
For a list of science nonfiction books, please click on the link titled Favorite Links and Books to Read. Click on the sublink Grades K-2 Science Nonfiction Books, where you will find a detailed list of books related to many different topics in science.