1. DE Science Elementary “5-Minute Prep” For The Earth, Sun, and Moon Sun Gravity and Orbits

2. Gravity and Orbits – The Big Ideas Gravity causes stars, planets, and moons to attract each other. The moon remains in orbit around the Earth because its speed of motion and the pull of Earth’s gravity are balanced. The planets remain in orbit around the sun because their speed of motion and the pull of the sun’s gravity are balanced.

3. Gravity and Orbits – Prior Knowledge Most students will have some background knowledge of the sun. However, their knowledge of gravity and planets orbiting around the sun will be limited. It would be helpful for students to view the FUN-damental Cycles in the Sky. It would also help if they:FUN-damental Cycles in the Sky –Know what orbit means. –Know that the planets orbit around the sun. –Know that the moon orbits the Earth. –Have a working knowledge of gravity.

4. Gravity and Orbits – Common Misconceptions The sun orbits the Earth. –Reality: The Earth and other planets all orbit around the sun. It appears to us that the sun is moving and we are still, but the opposite is true. The moon stays in the same place in the sky. –Reality: The moon orbits the Earth just as Earth orbits the sun. The moon also rotates one time for each orbit. The moon is only up at night. –Reality: The moon is often visible in the daytime as well.

5. Gravity and Orbits – Using DE Science Content When you close this presentation, you can review the following recommended resources for Gravity and Orbits. Exploration: Gravity and Orbits Reading Passage: Building on the Work of Others E Book: Not Going Too Far Video: What is an Orbit? Use the PowerPoint version of this presentation for hyperlinks to these resources or you can get to them through the browser or search feature.

6. Gravity and Orbits – Instructional Ideas Use the Exploration with the whole class. Students will see what causes the moon and Earth to orbit the sun. –Using a dark room, a single floor lamp and foam balls, students can act out the Earth’s rotation and orbit around the sun. After students read Not Going Too Far, they will surely want to try the experiment that is suggested in the article. – Give each student a ball tied to a string and let the students swing the ball around in a circle over their heads. (Take all necessary safety precautions with students.) –Students will see the ball orbiting their head. Ask the students to imagine what would happen if someone cut the string. This is what would happen in space if there was no gravity keeping the planets or the moon in their orbit.

7. Gravity and Orbits – Instructional Ideas Students also might be interested in making a scale model of the Solar System after watching the video on orbits. –Take students out to a large field. – Provide them with beach balls or inflatable planets and the sun. – Students can walk in circles around the sun and each participate in being a part of the solar system. –Extra students can even orbit planets as moons!

8. State standards: If you wish to review your state standards regarding Gravity and Orbits, click here to get to the curriculum standards search feature of DES. http://discoveryeducation.com/forward/curriculum.cfm You can click on any standard to see what resources are available to teach it. Additional Information: For additional content, check the Extend section within the concept.