FOSS at Home
FOSS® at Home
Sun, Moon, and Stars
®
The FOSS (Full Option Science System™) program offers a number
of ways to get parents involved in their child’s science education.
Included here are short descriptions of several ways to bridge from
classroom to home.
Letter to Parents. The letter to parents can be sent home at the start
of a new science module. The letter describes what children will
be learning and ways that parents can enrich the science-learning
experience.
FOSS Science Resources. FOSS Science Resources is a series of original
books developed to accompany and enrich the FOSS modules. The
books include three genres of informational text: expository articles,
historical and biographical accounts, and technical readings.
Here are some suggestions for using FOSS Science Resources at home.
•• Expository and Historical/Biographical Readings. The
expository and historical/biographical readings provide
excellent opportunities for students and parents to discuss
the science content students are learning in the module.
Specific articles include Sunrise and Sunset, Changing Moon,
and Star Scientists.
LETTER TO PARENTS
Dear Parents,
We are about to begin a study of objects in the sky—the Sun, Moon, and stars. We’ll start
with the Sun and use a variety of tools to observe and record its position in the sky. To
orient our observations, we’ll use a compass. And to monitor the Sun, we will use our
shadows. While we use the language that the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west,
we know that it really isn’t the Sun moving but the rotation of Earth on its axis that
makes it appear that the stationary Sun is moving across the sky. We will be studying
the predictable pattern of the Sun as it travels across the sky during the day and during
different seasons.
Then we will study the Moon. We will start as a class by observing the Moon during the
day and follow that up with night-sky observations. Since we aren’t in school at night,
this must be a homework assignment. As a bridge to what we have been studying in class,
students will look for the Moon and other objects in the night sky when they are at home.
To make night-sky observations, take your child outside at about the same time each
evening (when it’s dark) and observe the sky. Take a few minutes to enjoy the night sky
together. Talk about what you see. For example, if it’s cloudy, you won’t see anything
but clouds. If it’s clear, you will see stars (you might want to point out a constellation or
two), planets (points of light that appear larger and brighter than stars), and sometimes the
Moon. Discuss the changes in the night sky from night to night, especially the changing
appearance of the Moon, and where you see it in the sky. (You can check your local
newspaper to find out when it rises.)
Have your child record his or her observations on the Night-Sky Log (sample below) when
I send it home, and bring it to school on the following Friday morning. To complete an
entry, your child records the date and time. Have your child write a few sentences about
what he or she observed and draw a picture to show what the Moon looks like.
Thanks for your help! And look for the Night-Sky Log coming home soon.
MONDAY
Date February 28
Observations
Time
6:10 p.m.
SAM
The Moon was oval. It was high in the sky.
There were lots of stars.
PLE
One star in the west was brighter than the rest.
FOSS Sun, Moon, and Stars Module
© The Regents of the University of California
Can be duplicated for classroom or workshop use.
157
Investigation 1: The Sun
No. 1—Teacher Sheet
No. 1—Teacher Sheet
•• “Review Questions.” Students can read the article in class
and then answer the “Review Questions” at home in their
science notebooks. You might consider this strategy after
students read Changing Shadows, The Night Sky, and Looking
through Telescopes.
•• Extensions. After each investigation, there are opportunities
for students to engage in a Home/School Connection and
do the Math Problem of the Week. The duplication masters
for these can be found in your Teacher Guide and on
FOSSweb. In addition, the Science Resources book includes
Learning More about Sun, Moon, and Stars, which includes
interdisciplinary extensions that help enhance and enrich the
module. For example, students can research more about the
NASA Apollo missions on the Internet or search for Moon
myths and legends in the library or on the Internet.
Sun, Moon, and Stars
1
Sun, Moon, and stars
HOME/SCHOOL CONNECTION
INVESTIGATION 1: THE SUN
10
11
Sundial Pattern
NOON
12
This sundial works best at
38° N latitude, the latitude
of San Francisco Bay.
2
1
Materials
•
1
9
3
1
•
1
b
Directions
8
4
7
5
6 a.m.
6 p.m.
a
NORTH
Sundial
Fold tab under
on dotted line.
Tape to base.
a
Gnomon
Cardboard (tagboard or
file folder)
Scissors or mat
knife
Protractor
Glue and transparent
tape
Compass
b
FOSS Sun, Moon, and Stars Module
© The Regents of the University of California
Can be duplicated for classroom or workshop use.
1. Glue the pattern to a
piece of cardboard.
2. Cut out the sundial and
the gnomon.
3. Tape the gnomon tab to
the sundial on the 12:00
line, matching points a
and b.
4. Place the sundial on a
level surface outside.
Use a compass to help
align the noon end of
the sundial towards
the North. You can
fine-tune the sundial
by comparing the time
you see on the sundial
to the time on a watch.
If there is a difference,
turn the sundial until
the times most nearly
match. When you get
the sundial adjusted,
you might want to
mark the location with
some chalk. When you
place the sundial back
in the same position,
it should give you an
accurate time.
Investigation 1: The Sun
No. 21—Teacher Sheet
177
No. 21—Teacher Sheet
Name ____________________________________
Date ____________________________________
MATH EXTENSION—PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
INVESTIGATION 2: THE MOON
In a make-believe planetary system, three planets orbit a star. The closest planet is Alfar,
the middle planet is Baytar, and the farthest from the star is Gammar.
Planet Gammar orbits the star in 360 days. So the Gammar year is 360 days long.
Baytar orbits in 240 days.
Alfar orbits in 120 days.
Baytar
Orbit = 240 days
Star
Alfar
Orbit = 120 days
Gammar
Orbit = 360 days
One day the people of Gammar noticed that all three planets were lined up.
1. How many Gammar years will it be until the three planets line up again?
Science Notebook Sheets. Throughout the module, students
complete various recording and response sheets. Students should
bring the sheets and/or their science notebooks home for families to
review and discuss. In Investigation 2, students take home a NightSky Log after learning how to use it to record observations of the night
sky, including the shape of the Moon. Students work with family
members to record observations each of four consecutive nights and
return the completed log to class on Friday. These observations are
the first step to learning the pattern of the 4-week lunar cycle.
Home/School Connections. Home/School Connections are activities
developed specifically for the whole family to enjoy at home. For
example, in Investigation 1 (Teacher sheet number 21), students can
make a model sundial at home. The Home/School Connections can
also be found in the FOSS Science Resources book.
Interdisciplinary Extensions. Each investigation has suggestions for
art, language, math, social studies, and science extensions. These are
good family activities. For example, after Investigation 3 students can
create simple constellation viewers from paper-towel tubes and paper.
They might also do the Math Problem of the Week at home. Both the
Math Problem of the Week and some interdisciplinary extensions can be
found in the FOSS Science Resources book.
FOSSweb (www.fossweb.com). FOSSweb is an interactive website
where families can find instructional activities and interactive
simulations specifically designed for each FOSS module.
2. How many orbits will Gammar make before they line up again?
3. How many orbits will Alfar and Baytar make?
FOSS Sun, Moon, and Stars Module
© The Regents of the University of California
Can be duplicated for classroom or workshop use.
175
Investigation 2: The Sun
No. 19—Teacher Sheet
No. 19—Teacher Sheet
NOTE: All student sheets, including
the Letter to Parents and Home/
School Connections, are available
in FOSS Teacher Guides and online
at www.fossweb.com. They are
also available in Spanish. See For
Parents and Teachers: Home/
School Connection on page 4
of this folio.
2
NOTE: Pages 3 and 4 of this folio can be photocopied and sent home
for parents to read. These pages provide information on the resources
for students and their families on FOSSweb.
full option science system
FOSS at Home
FOSSWEB (WWW.FOSSWEB.COM)
The FOSS program maintains a resource-rich website for students and
their families and friends. To explore the resources available for the
Sun, Moon, and Stars Module, first enter www.fossweb.com in your
browser.
The FOSS website requires plug-ins for your browser. We recommend
that you click the “Test Your Browser” link at the bottom of the home
page before you begin to ensure your computer has the minimum
requirements.
Click the grades 3–6 icon to get a menu that links to each of the 3–6
modules. There you can choose Sun, Moon, and Stars and travel to a
wealth of information and activities specific to this module.
ACTIVITIES
In the Sun, Moon, and Stars Module, you’ll find three activities:
Lunar Calendar, Pacific Coast Sunsets, and Star Maps. Pacific
Coast Sunsets should be introduced after students have completed
Investigation 1: The Sun. This video collection of sunsets from
Berkeley, California allows students to keep track of where and what
time the Sun sets over a 6-month period. You might ask,
•• What pattern do you notice?
•• How can you explain the patterns?
Lunar Calendar should be introduced after students have completed
Investigation 2: The Moon. In this activity, you can see the phase of
the Moon on any day in the modern period (1–3000 C.E.). Select the
day, month, and year for the phase of the Moon by moving the slider
and typing the year. Continuous mode will change the phase of the
Moon as you change the date. Controlled mode will not change the
phase of the Moon until you click the Show Me the Phase! button.
Here’s an activity you can do at home: Try observing the Moon on
your own. Every night at the same time, draw the Moon’s phase and
indicate where it is in the sky. Some nights you won’t see the Moon.
Do you know why?
Star Maps should be introduced after students have completed
Investigation 3: The Stars. You can view and download seasonal star
maps to help you locate and identify objects in the night sky, such as
stars, constellations, and planets. Choose the star map for the months
you need. Take the map outside on a clear night, and hold and turn
the map to match the location of the Big Dipper and the North Star.
Sun, Moon, and Stars
3
Sun, Moon, and stars
MEDIA
The Media section includes a rich list of resources that can extend and
enrich the concepts learned in the Sun, Moon, and Stars Module.
Here is where you will find images, movies, audio stories, reading
resources, and websites.
Images and Movies
The Images and Movies sections include pictures and movies that can
enhance the concepts learned in the Sun, Moon, and Stars Module.
Audio Stories
This section contains audio recordings of the FOSS Science Resources
book for the Sun, Moon, and Stars Module.
At the Library
This section includes an annotated list of books and videos
recommended for the Sun, Moon, and Stars Module. You should
be able to find many of these titles at your local library.
Websites
The Websites section includes links to sites that can extend and enrich
children’s experiences with the Sun, Moon, and Stars Module.
VOCABULARY
In the Vocabulary section, you will find the glossary words and
definitions used in the Sun, Moon, and Stars Module. They are
provided in English and Spanish.
For parents and teachers: Home/school
connection
The For Parents and Teachers section includes the Home/School
Connection that describes ways for families to do science together.
For example, in Investigation 2 (Teacher sheet number 22), families
can discuss and explore using the Internet how each full Moon got its
name. Look in this section for other resources included in a
downloadable PDF file, including a general letter introducing the
module and math extensions that relate to the science investigations.
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Copyright The Regents of the University of California
full option science system
1287875