Universe+and+Solar+System

Pre-K-2
Students describe the movement of objects across the sky, as seen from Earth.

a. Describe how the sun and moon seem to move across the sky. b. Describe the changes in the appearance of the moon from day to day.

3-5
Students describe the positions and apparent motions of different objects in and beyond our solar system and how these objects can be viewed from Earth.

a. Show the locations of the sun, Earth, moon, and planets and their orbits. b. Observe and report on observations that the sun appears to move across the sky in the same way every day, but its path changes slowly over the seasons. c. Recognize that the sun is a star and is similar to other stars in the universe.

6-8
Students explain the movements and describe the location, composition, and characteristics of our solar system and universe, including planets, the sun, and galaxies.

a. Describe the different kinds of objects in the solar system including planets, sun, moons, asteroids, and comets. b. Explain the motions that cause days, years, phases of the moon, and eclipses. c. Describe the location of our solar system in its galaxy and explain that other galaxies exist and that they include stars and planets.

9-Diploma
Students explain the physical formation and changing nature of our universe and solar system, and how our past and present knowledge of the universe and solar system developed.

a. Explain why the unit of light years can be used to describe distances to objects in the universe and use light years to describe distances. b. Explain the role of gravity in forming and maintaining planets, stars, and the solar system. c. Outline the age, origin, and process of formation of the universe as currently understood by science. d. Describe the major events that have led to our current understanding of the universe and the current technologies used to further our understanding.