All of the lessons on this website support South Carolina’s educational standards for science and theatre education. Theatre standards are embedded in the Lesson Plans and Resource Guides. Science standards are listed below.
GRADE ONE STANDARDS
Standard 1.E.3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the patterns of the Sun and the Moon and the Sun’s effect on Earth.
1.E.3A.2 Use data from personal observations to describe, predict, and develop models to exemplify how the appearance of the moon changes over time in a predictable pattern.
1.E.3A.3 Obtain and communicate information to describe how technology has enabled the study of the Sun, the Moon, planets, and stars.
GRADE FOUR EARTH SCIENCE: STARS AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Standard 4.E.3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the locations, movements, and patterns of stars and objects in the solar system.
4.E.3A. Conceptual Understanding: Astronomy is the study of objects in our solar system and beyond. A solar system includes a sun, (star), and all other objects that orbit that sun. Planets in our night sky change positions and are not always visible from Earth as they orbit our Sun. Stars that are beyond the solar system can be seen in the night sky in patterns called constellations. Constellations can be used for navigation and appear to move together across the sky because of Earth’s rotation.
Performance Indicators: Students who demonstrate this understanding can:
4.E.3A.1 Develop and use models of Earth’s solar system to exemplify the location and order of the planets as they orbit the Sun and the main composition (rock or gas) of the planets.
4.E.3A.2 Obtain and communicate information to describe how constellations (including Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and Orion) appear to move from Earth’s perspective throughout the seasons.
4.E.3A.3 Construct scientific arguments to support claims about the importance of astronomy in navigation and exploration (including the use of telescopes, astrolabes, compasses, and sextants).
4.E.3B.
Conceptual Understanding: Earth orbits around the Sun and the Moon orbits around Earth. These movements together with the rotation of Earth on a tilted axis result in patterns that can be observed and predicted.
Performance Indicators: Students who demonstrate this understanding can:
4.E.3B.1 Analyze and interpret data from observations to describe patterns in the (1) location, (2) movement, and (3) appearance of the Moon throughout the year.
4.E.3B.2 Construct explanations of how day and night result from Earth’s rotation on its axis.
4.E.3B.3 Construct explanations of how the Sun appears to move throughout the day using observations of shadows.
4.E.3B.4 Develop and use models to describe the factors (including tilt, revolution, and angle of sunlight) that result in Earth’s seasonal changes.
GRADE EIGHT EARTH SCIENCE: EARTH’S PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE
Standard 8.E.4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the universe and the predictable patterns caused by Earth’s movement in the solar system.
8.E.4A. Conceptual Understanding: Earth’s solar system is part of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is one of many galaxies in the universe. The planet Earth is a tiny part of a vast universe that has developed over a span of time beginning with a period of extreme and rapid expansion.
Performance Indicators: Students who demonstrate this understanding can:
8.E.4A.1 Obtain and communicate information to model the position of the Sun in the universe, the shapes and composition of galaxies, and the measurement unit needed to identify star and galaxy locations.
8.E.4A.2 Construct and analyze scientific arguments to support claims that the universe began with a period of extreme and rapid expansion using evidence from the composition of stars and gases and the motion of galaxies in the universe.
8.E.4B. Conceptual Understanding: Earth’s solar system consists of the Sun and other objects that are held in orbit around the Sun by its gravitational pull on them. Motions within the Earth-MoonSun system have effects that can be observed on Earth.
Performance Indicators: Students who demonstrate this understanding can:
8.E.4B.1 Obtain and communicate information to model and compare the characteristics and movements of objects in the solar system (including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteors).
8.E.4B.2 Construct explanations for how gravity affects the motion of objects in the solar system and tides on Earth.
8.E.4B.3 Develop and use models to explain how seasons, caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis as it orbits the Sun, affects the length of the day and the amount of heating on Earth’s surface.
8.E.4B.4 Develop and use models to explain how motions within the Sun-Earth-Moon system cause Earth phenomena (including day and year, moon phases, solar and lunar eclipses, and tides).
8.E.4B.5 Obtain and communicate information to describe how data from technologies (including telescopes, spectroscopes, satellites, space probes) provide information about objects in the solar system and the universe.
8.E.4B.6 Analyze and interpret data from the surface features of the Sun (including photosphere, corona, sunspots, prominences, and solar flares) to predict how these features may affect Earth.