🔬 5th Grade Science · Unit 7

Space Systems

21 short narrated lessons in 4 chapters, each with pictures, a quiz with a hint and a second try, and an explanation for every answer.

Standards: 5-PS2-1 5-ESS1-1 5-ESS1-2

5th Grade Science · 7 units
  1. 1Matter and Its Properties
  2. 2Changes in Matter
  3. 3Energy and Food
  4. 4Ecosystems
  5. 5Earth's Systems
  6. 6Protecting Earth
  7. 7Space Systems
Picture from the lesson “What Is Gravity?”
What Is Gravity?
Picture from the lesson “Gravity Pulls Down”
Gravity Pulls Down
Picture from the lesson “Down Is Everywhere”
Down Is Everywhere

What your child will learn

Gravity

  1. What Is Gravity?Explain that gravity is a force that pulls objects toward each other.
  2. Gravity Pulls DownSupport the argument that Earth's gravity pulls objects toward Earth's center.
  3. Down Is EverywhereExplain why people on the other side of Earth do not fall off.
  4. Gravity in SpaceDescribe how gravity keeps the Moon orbiting Earth and Earth orbiting the Sun.
  5. Gravity Review ReviewReview how gravity pulls objects toward Earth's center and keeps objects in orbit.

The Sun and other stars

  1. Our Sun Is a StarExplain that the Sun is a star like the ones we see at night.
  2. Near and Far LightsExplain that the Sun appears brighter than other stars because it is much closer to Earth.
  3. How Far Are the Stars?Describe how stars are so far away that their light takes years to reach us.
  4. Stars Big and SmallRecognize that stars differ in size and actual brightness.
  5. The Sun and Other Stars: Review ReviewReview why the Sun looks brighter than other stars and how distance affects brightness.

Shadows, day and night

  1. Earth Spins Like a TopExplain that Earth rotates on its axis once every day.
  2. Why We Have Day and NightExplain how Earth's rotation causes day and night.
  3. Shadows on the MoveDescribe how shadows change length and direction as the Sun appears to move.
  4. Graphing Shadow DataUse graphs of shadow lengths to reveal daily patterns.
  5. Shadows, Day and Night: Review ReviewReview how Earth's rotation causes day, night and changing shadows.

Seasons and the night sky

  1. Earth's Trip Around the SunExplain that Earth revolves around the Sun once a year.
  2. Long Days, Short DaysDescribe how the length of daylight changes through the year.
  3. Star Pictures Through the YearExplain why different constellations are seen in different seasons.
  4. The Moon's Changing ShapeDescribe the pattern of the Moon's phases over about a month.
  5. Seasons and the Night Sky: Review ReviewReview the patterns in daylight, seasons and the night sky caused by Earth's movement.
  6. Unit 7 Test: Space SystemsShow what you learned in the whole unit (Gravity, The Sun and other stars, Shadows, day and night, Seasons and the night sky) by answering mixed questions.

Try a question from this unit

From the lesson “What Is Gravity?”

What is a force?

  • A push or a pull
  • A kind of rock
  • A type of energy from the sun
  • A very heavy object
Show the answer

A push or a pull. A force is a push or a pull, like a kick that pushes a ball.

Hint kids see after a wrong try: “Think of kicking a ball or opening a drawer.”

Key words

  • gravity
  • force
  • argument
  • center
  • orbit
  • star
  • Sun
  • brightness
  • distance
  • light-year
  • apparent brightness
  • rotate
  • axis
  • day
  • night
  • shadow
  • graph
  • pattern
  • revolve
  • season
  • daylight
  • constellation
  • phase
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