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.3.E.5
Title: Earth in Space and Time
Type: Big Idea
Subject: Science
Grade: 3
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.3.E.5.In.1
Recognize that stars in the sky look different from each other.
SC.3.E.5.In.2
Recognize that the Sun is a star that gives off its own light.
SC.3.E.5.In.3
Recognize that the Sun is the closest star to Earth.
SC.3.E.5.In.4
Observe and describe ways to keep an object from falling due to gravity.
SC.3.E.5.In.5
Recognize that stars appear larger and closer when seen through a telescope.

Supported

SC.3.E.5.Su.1
Recognize that all stars except the Sun appear very small.
SC.3.E.5.Su.2
Recognize that the Sun gives off light.
SC.3.E.5.Su.3
Recognize that the Sun is a star.
SC.3.E.5.Su.4
Observe and recognize ways to stop a falling object, such as catching a ball.
SC.3.E.5.Su.5
Recognize a telescope as a tool to view stars in space.

Participatory

SC.3.E.5.Pa.1
Recognize stars in the sky.
SC.3.E.5.Pa.2
Recognize that the Sun is bright.
SC.3.E.5.Pa.3
Recognize that an object can be stopped from falling.
SC.3.E.5.Pa.4
Match a familiar object enlarged by magnification.

Related Resources

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

Lesson Plans

Marshmallow Mania:

After experiencing measuring objects to the nearest one-fourth inch, students are given diagrams of the results from using different colors of paper to cook marshmallows in a solar oven. Students measure diagrams' lengths to the nearest quarter inch and record the data on a line plot. Next students determine which color showed evidence of the melted marshmallows' lengths closest to the ideal 2begin mathsize 10px style 1 half end styleinches and use this information to make a proposal to a fictional company for the best color to use in their solar ovens for s'more making.

Type: Lesson Plan

No Cracks Allowed: An EGG-cellent STEM Design Challenge with Surface Area and Gravity:

STEM design! EGG-cellent! Students will use hands-on inquiry to find out more about gravity and how surface area can oppose it. Through trial and error based on collected data, students will design, create, and drop a vehicle carrying precious "cargo" from a ten-foot ladder, using a parachute to ensure a safe landing. When completed, students should have a better understanding of how gravity interacts with falling objects and how the surface area of a parachute can oppose those interactions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Let's Go, H2O!:

This STEM challenge will engage 3rd grade students in thinking about the ways that a drought can affect a region or nation and how to find a solution to this problem. Students will construct a pipeline to transport water from point A to point B while overcoming gravity and will measure the volume of liquid before and after it travels through the pipeline. This STEM challenge combines architectural engineering with life science and mathematical measurement skills.

Type: Lesson Plan

Paper Airplanes Away!:

In this lesson, students will design and fly their own paper airplane and analyze their flight data to determine the best designs for getting planes to travel the farthest distance. Students will organize class flight data into a line plot and calculate the mean, median, mode, and range for the data set.

Type: Lesson Plan

Stop the Drop - An Engineering Design Challenge:

This Engineering Design Challenge is intended to help students apply the concept that gravity is a force that can be overcome as they build devices to "Stop the Drop." This challenge includes concepts beyond the benchmark.

Type: Lesson Plan

Overcoming Gravity:

In this lesson, students learn about the pull of gravity and see how stretch from a Slinky (a spring scale) is a way to measure resistance to gravity.

Type: Lesson Plan

Exploring Gravity:

In this lesson, students engage in the engineering design process and explore gravity by designing and creating a parachute.

Type: Lesson Plan

Solar S’ mores:

This lesson plan covers the concept that energy from the sun reaches Earth in the form of heat and light. It incorporates concepts from Earth and Physical Science.

Type: Lesson Plan

Sunsational:

What is the sun? Why does the sun appear to be so big from Earth? These questions along with others will quench your inquisitive thirst. This lesson is intended to make students think critically about the sun.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Overcoming Gravity:

Explore how gravity can be overcome in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Seeing Stars:

Explore how your view of the stars changes when using a telescope in 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

Presentation/Slideshow

How Do Satellites Orbit Earth?:

Explore what a satellite is, what it means to orbit, and how we use rockets to get satellites into orbit around Earth in this PowerPoint eReader.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

Video/Audio/Animation

SDO: Three Years of Sun in Three Minutes:

This video shows three years of the sun as captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Student Resources

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

Original Student Tutorials

Overcoming Gravity:

Explore how gravity can be overcome in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Seeing Stars:

Explore how your view of the stars changes when using a telescope in this interactive tutorial. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Video/Audio/Animation

SDO: Three Years of Sun in Three Minutes:

This video shows three years of the sun as captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Parent Resources

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