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FCPS
Elementary Astronomy
Program of Studies (POS)
The Fairfax County Public Schools program of studies includes
astronomy units in the fourth, fifth and sixth grade curriculum. Planetarium
field trips are an integral part of that curriculum. The planetarium lessons
concentrate on concepts related to the position and motion of celestial objects.
These are concepts which are particularly difficult to teach in a traditional
classroom environment. The planetarium programs are participatory programs
and incorporate a variety of hands-on activities. The astronomy units also
include lessons which classroom teachers and planetarium teachers can present
in the classroom both before and after the planetarium field trips. Here
is an outline of the astronomy units.
Grade 4 - The Sun and Its Neighbors
The Sun and Its Neighbors affords all fourth level students
an opportunity to visit a Fairfax County Public Schools' (FCPS) planetarium
to observe and study the many celestial objects in our solar system, and
to investigate the night sky as seen from Fairfax County one hour after sunset.
The students will be introduced to the planetarium instrument, the Sun, and
the planets.
- Observe and discuss how the planetarium instrument produces the night
sky.
- Observe the apparent motion of the Sun from sunrise to sunset.
- Identify the following: horizon; cardinal points; zenith; meridian;
and the North Star Polaris.
- Locate and identify Polaris, Big Dipper, four seasonal zodiac constellations,
the moon (if visible), and the visible planets.
- Observe and plot the diurnal [and annual] motion of the Sun.
- Observe the orbital paths of the planets around the Sun, describe
the relative periods of revolution, and describe the planets' distances
from the Sun.
- Name and describe the physical characteristics of the Sun and the
planets.
- Construct a star map of the night sky showing the position of the
moon (if visible), the visible planets, and several constellations.
- Explain the reason for night and day.
SOL Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change
4.7 The student will investigate and understand the relationships among the Earth,
moon, and sun. Key concepts include
a) the motions of the Earth, moon, and sun (revolution and rotation);
b) the causes for the Earth’s seasons and phases of the moon;
c) the relative size, position, age, and makeup of the Earth, moon, and sun;
and
d) historical contributions in understanding the Earth-moon-sun system.
Grade 5 - Stars and Constellations
Stars and Constellations allows all level five students to visit a FCPS planetarium
to observe and study selected seasonal and polar constellations, investigate
the diurnal motion of the Sun and stars, and locate the visible planets.
- Locate and identify the Sun, the moon, and the visible planets.
- Construct and use a star wheel [starfinder].
- Determine the position of the cardinal points, the zenith, and the
meridian.
- Locate and identify three polar and three seasonal constellations.
- Plot the diurnal paths of selected celestial objects and constellations
as seen from Fairfax County.
- Name, identify, and describe positional relationships among several
star groups at four different times--sunset, 9 p.m., midnight, and 3
a.m.--as seen from Fairfax County.
Grade 6 - Astronomy/The Solar System
Astronomy/The Solar System unit provides all level six students the opportunity
to visit a FCPS planetarium to observe and study the sun's daily and seasonal
paths, to relate these apparent motions to the earth's rotation and revolution,
to observe the moon and its phases, and study the content and organization
of the solar system and its place in the universe.
The activities in the classroom and in the planetarium relate
to the following Virginia Standards of Learning:
POS Benchmark 1.6.2 / SOL 6.10
The student will investigate and understand the organization of the solar system
and the relationships among the
various bodies which it comprises.
Indicators:
1.6.2-1 Explain that the solar system consists of the sun, moon, Earth, and other
planets and their moons, meteors, asteroids, and comets, and each has its own
characteristics and features.
1.6.2-2 Describe the relative size of the nine planets and the distance between
them, relative to the position of the sun.
1.6.2-3 Explain the role of gravity in the solar system.
1.6.2-4 Compare and contrast revolution and rotation and apply these terms to
the relative movement of planets (and
moons).
1.6.2-5 Describe how the Earth's axial tilt causes the seasons.
1.6.2-6 Compare and contrast the historical ideas of Ptolemy, Aristotle, Copernicus,
and Galileo related to the solar
system.
1.6.2-7 Create and interpret a timeline highlighting the technological advancements
in solar systems exploration over the past half century including rockets, artificial
satellites, orbital missions, missions to the moon, Mars robotic explorers, and
exploration of the outer planets.
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