Fairfax County Public Schools
Elementary School Program of Studies (POS)
in Astronomy

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.

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.

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.