Grades K-2 Notes & Discussion Topics

This page corresponds to the Learning Activities section of the Toolkit for Grade K-2 page. Here you'll find:

Discussion Questions and Answers

Learning Objectives

Vocabulary

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Discussion Questions & Answers

Theme One: Astronomical Objects In The Day/Night Sky

The Sun gives us heat and light

• Discussion Question: What does the Sun do for us?
• Answer: The Sun supports all life on earth through the process of photosynthesis. It provides us with heat and light. It powers the water cycle which creates our weather and climate. It provides us with seasonal cycles and even sleep cycle

The Sun is the largest object in our solar system

• Discussion Question: If the Sun is the largest object in the solar system, why does it look so small?
• Answer: Because it is so far away.

Theme Two: The Solar System

Planets revolve around stars

• Discussion Question: What star does Earth orbit?
• Answer: (The Sun) The Sun is located at the center of our solar system.

The Sun and other celestial objects move across the sky

• Discussion Question: Are the Sun, Moon, and stars are always in the same places in the sky?
• Answer: No. As the Earth rotates, the Sun, Moon and stars appear to move across the sky. They rise and set. Also, the Moon orbits the Earth once a month and the Earth orbits the Sun once a year, so the Moon and Sun pass through different parts of the sky.

Theme Three: Earth/Moon/Sun Interactions

• Discussion Question: Does the Moon gives off its own light?
• Answer: No. The Moon light we see is actually reflected light from the Sun. The shape or phase of the Moon is determined by the Moon's position in its orbit around the Earth with respect to the Sun.

Interaction of The Earth and Sun

• Discussion Question: Does the Sun turn off at night?
• Answer: No. The Sun is always shining. We just don't always see it. Earth is always rotating on its axis, so the Sun appears to move across the sky. At sunrise, the Earth's rotation brings our homes into sunlight. By midday, the Earth has rotated so the Sun is high in the sky. At sunset, the Earth rotates so that the Sun goes below the horizon. During the night the Earth keeps rotating so the Sun can rise again.

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Learning Objectives

Your visit will help you address the following targets and standards:

Wisconsin Model Academic Content Standards and WKCE Assessment Frameworks

• E.4.4.a. Identify the Sun, Moon, and stars in the sky, and recognize that they appear to change position in the sky over time. Examples: Recognize the Sun as a star. Identify that the appearance of the Moon changes throughout the month. Understand that Earth is one of the planets in our solar system. . .
• E.4.6.a. Describe changes, patterns and cycles that are observable during night/day and seasonal events on Earth.
• E.4.6.b. Recognize that there are patterns in the Earth's motion activities.

MPS Learning Targets

• Observe and describe changes in the Earth and sky, such as the phases of the moon.
• Grades 1-2: Describe how we see them change.

Science Concepts

• Day and night, month, year
• Seasons
• Celestial objects

Science Process Skills

• Questions
• Observations
• Experimentation
• Conclusions
• Connecting relevance to students' world

Integration Learning Targets

Language Arts

• Follow oral directions
• Participate in discussions
• Ask questions

Mathematics

• Count and keep track of sets of objects up to 20
• Sort and compare objects and shapes

Physical Education

• Demonstrate self-control and the ability to follow directions

Social Studies

• Identify and compare stories from different cultures

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Vocabulary

Grades K-2

• Sun
• Moon
• stars
• planets
• seasons
• Spring
• Summer
• Fall
• Winter
• temperature

Grades 1-2

• sunlight
• solar energy
• constellation
• moonlight
• crater
• solar system
• rotation
• revolution
• orbit
• tilt