The Sun and other stars in the artifact
Scientific explanation of the night sky
Which direction is UP?
100

During the nighttime we see what in the sky?

The stars

100

If I asked the question: 

Why does the sky look different in each nighttime section of the artifact?

What would be examples of scientific language you can use to answer the question?

Orbit, constellations, position, rotations, solar system, ect.

100

What is the name of the force that keeps up pulled towards the center of the Earth?

Gravity

200

During the daytime we see what in the sky?

The Sun

200

If I asked the question: 

Why does the sky look different in each nighttime section of the artifact?

Who would be the audience that would answer this question? (Who you're writing to)

The museum of archeology who is researching the artifact.

200

What is Gravity?

Gravity is a force that pulls up down towards the center of the Earth

300

On Earth, why does the pattern of daytime and nighttime repeat every day?

The Earth's Rotation causing us to alternate between facing towards the sun, and away from the sun.

300

If I asked the question: 

Why does the sky look different in each nighttime section of the artifact?

What would your answer be?

The Earth's Orbit around the sun causes it to change positions and view different constellations in different months because the stars do not move.

300

Look to the Board at Mr. W's drawing.

Which direction is up for each person, draw a diagram on your white board.


Up should be facing away from the center of the Earth.

400

Why does the nighttime section of the artifact show other stars in the sky, but not the sun?

We are facing away from the sun. We can only see the stars and not the Sun.

400

If I asked the question: 

Why does the sky look different in each nighttime section of the artifact?

What would be examples of evidence we can use to support our answer.

The classroom constellation model: we are modeling how the Earth is physically moving around the sun in its orbit path.

The sim: We are able to view not only our view from Earth and outer space, to view the Earth's orbit around the sun. 

400

Look to the Board at Mr. W's drawing.

Which direction is down for each person, draw a diagram on your white board.

The arrows should be facing the center of the Earth.

500

Why does the daytime section of the artifact show only the sun in the sky, but not other stars?

We are facing the sun. The sun is so bright it over powers the brightness of the other stars so we cannot see them.

500

If I asked the question: 

Why does the sky look different in each nighttime section of the artifact?

What would be difficult to observe about this process?

It would be difficult to observe the Earth's Orbit going around the sun because the Earth is moving so slowly and we cannot easily see it from the Earth.

500

Explain the difference between up and down.

Down will always be pointing towards the center of the earth where gravity is pulling us.

Up will always be the direct opposite of where we are being pulled down by gravity.

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