Big Idea 5: Earth in Space and Time

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Humans continue to explore Earth's place in space. Gravity and energy influence the formation of galaxies, including our own Milky Way Galaxy, stars, the Solar System, and Earth. Humankind's need to explore continues to lead to the development of knowledge and understanding of our Solar System.
General Information
Number: SC.K.E.5
Title: Earth in Space and Time
Type: Big Idea
Subject: Science
Grade: K
Body of Knowledge: Earth and Space Science

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Independent

SC.K.E.5.In.1
Identify that objects can fall to the ground unless something stops them.
SC.K.E.5.In.2
Identify daily activities in a 24-hour period, such as eating breakfast and going to bed, and associate activities with morning and night.
SC.K.E.5.In.3
Identify the Sun in the daytime.
SC.K.E.5.In.4
Identify the Moon in the sky at night.
SC.K.E.5.In.5
Observe big and small things in the sky.
SC.K.E.5.In.6
Identify an item that is far away and an item that is nearby.

Supported

SC.K.E.5.Su.1
Recognize that objects fall to the ground.
SC.K.E.5.Su.2
Identify one common activity that occurs in the day and one that occurs in the night.
SC.K.E.5.Su.3
Recognize the Sun in the daytime.
SC.K.E.5.Su.4
Recognize the Moon in the sky at night.
SC.K.E.5.Su.5
Recognize the size of items as either big or small.
SC.K.E.5.Su.6
Recognize familiar objects that are far away or nearby.

Participatory

SC.K.E.5.Pa.1
Track a falling object.
SC.K.E.5.Pa.2
Recognize one common activity that occurs during the day.
SC.K.E.5.Pa.3
Associate the Sun with daytime.
SC.K.E.5.Pa.4
Associate the Moon with night.
SC.K.E.5.Pa.5
Recognize items that are big.
SC.K.E.5.Pa.6
Recognize items as nearby.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Lesson Plans

Putting the Sun in the Sunshine State:

Students will recognize that Florida’s nickname is, The Sunshine State, and will design a new state welcome sign by applying what they know about the Sun appearing in the daytime sky in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Lights Out: An Investigation of Day and Night:

In this lesson, students explore the differences between day and night by creating a class mural, using Science Notebooks, and going outdoors to experience day and night with their senses!

Type: Lesson Plan

Time to Play in K!:

This is a kindergarten MEA in which students are deciding on the ideal day for another student to stay in and do chores.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Moon Walk:

In this lesson, students will observe the daytime sky to determine if the moon can be seen during the day. Students will record their daily observations for one week. Students will complete a Venn diagram illustrating objects seen in the daytime sky, nighttime sky, and both.

Type: Lesson Plan

Day and Night:

This is a short lesson to teach Earth/Space benchmarks on day and night to your K students. It also addresses some Nature of Science benchmarks.

Type: Lesson Plan

Building a Tall Tower - an Engineering Design Challenge:

This Engineering Design Challenge is intended to help students apply the concept of gravity in an engineering design challenge.

Type: Lesson Plan

Day and Night Sky:

What objects can you see in the day sky? What objects can you see in the night sky? Are there objects that can be seen in both the day and night sky? Can the sun be seen during the night, or only during the day? Students will encounter these questions as they explore the similarities and differences between the day and night sky. This lesson will help students identify what objects can be seen in the day and night sky, and objects are exclusively seen in the day sky and the night sky.

Type: Lesson Plan

Look Out Below!:

In this lesson students explore the force of gravity by testing gravity's pull with parachutes. The students will investigate the idea of gravity pulling objects to the ground unless something holds it up.

Type: Lesson Plan

Big Small Near Far:

In this lesson, students explore and measure objects near and far to determine that objects appear to be smaller when they are further away from us, but, when measured are not changing size.

Type: Lesson Plan

Objects in the sky:

Students will observe objects in the sky during the daytime and at nighttime. Students will then complete a Venn diagram comparing objects that are seen at night, in the daytime, and during both day and night.

Type: Lesson Plan

Fly, Fly Away:

This lesson provides the opportunity for students to practice changing matter by cutting, tearing, and/or rearranging materials in order to make an object that can defy gravity over moving air. This lesson incorporates design challenge aspects at a level that is appropriate for young students who are just beginning their formal education.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Gravity: Ouch! My Head!:

Come explore gravity and what gravity is in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Moon Time:

Learn all about the Moon and how it can be seen at night and in the daytime in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Daytime and Nighttime:

Look at the daytime and nighttime and what makes each time special as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Sun in the Sky: Daytime:

Look at the connection between the Sun and the sky during the daytime as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Paper Glider Forces:

Have you ever wanted to fly paper airplanes for fun while learning about the science of flight? Here's your chance! Produced with funding from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Unit/Lesson Sequences

Sun and Moon | Day and Night:

In this unit, students record observations of the day and night sky over weeks or a month. Discussions around the observations are intended to help students recognize the patterns in their observations. Literature connections are included.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Exploring Gravity and Parachutes:

Students explore the effects of gravity on objects and explore ways to keep objects from falling. Students then investigate parachutes to further explore gravity and factors that affect the motion that results from the gravitational force between objects and the Earth.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorials

Gravity: Ouch! My Head!:

Come explore gravity and what gravity is in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Moon Time:

Learn all about the Moon and how it can be seen at night and in the daytime in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Daytime and Nighttime:

Look at the daytime and nighttime and what makes each time special as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Sun in the Sky: Daytime:

Look at the connection between the Sun and the sky during the daytime as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.