1 - ESS1 - Seasonal patterns - FINAL (CJT 2/4/2014)

Module: Seasonal Patterns

DCI: ESS1.B Earth and the Solar System – Seasonal patterns of sunrise and sunset can be observed, described, and predicted.

PE: 1-ESS1-2 Make observations at different times of the year to relate the amount of daylights to the time of year.

[Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on relative comparisons of the amount of daylight in the winter to the amount in the spring or fall.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to relative amounts of daylight, not quantifying the hours or time of daylight.]

The basic content of the standard is as follows.

- We can see seasonal patterns of change. These patterns can be described. The patterns allow for predictions. 

- The specific patterns outlined in the standard are sunrise and sunset. This most likely refers to the fact that, for half the year, between the tropics and the polar circles, sunrise comes later and later for half the year, then earlier and earlier while sunset follows a similar but opposite pattern.

- The other pattern is the precise location of sunrise and sunset. Sunrise is not, in most places, due east. North of the tropics (where I figure we should focus) the sun rises south of due east. During half the year sunset is drifting farther south, then back to the north. The same thing is happening to sunset. This seems pretty subtle for first graders, but they should be able to see a pattern.

- The clarification statement gives us another thing to talk about. While kids are not expected to know the precise hours, they should be able to make comparisons, maybe with a graph.

Possible Questions:

Students record the time of sunrise on the first of the month for three months.

[data table]

Sunrise on the first of [next month] will be -

[graph of daylight hours]

Predict hours of daylight missing

[image of sunrise locations on subsequent days DEC 21 JAN 21 FEB 21 with more spots labeled]

Where will sunrise be on MAR 21?