Unit Plan 35 (Grade 5 Science): Space & Earth Systems Project
Grade 5 capstone where students model space patterns, Earth system interactions, and global water distribution in one integrated project explaining key connections.
Focus: Create a combined model showing shadow patterns, star brightness and seasonal patterns, and Earth system interactions including water distribution.
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: Science (Earth & Space Science • Earth’s Systems • Modeling/Synthesis)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this capstone-style project, students become Earth–space modelers, combining ideas from astronomy and Earth systems into a single integrated model and display. They revisit how the sun and stars appear from Earth (brightness and seasonal patterns) and connect these to Earth’s spheres (geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere) and the distribution of water on our planet. Working in teams, students design and build a Space & Earth Systems Project Board or 3D model that shows shadow data graphs, star/constellation maps, and Earth system interactions, supported by student explanations.
Essential Questions
- How do shadow patterns and star patterns help us understand Earth’s rotation, orbit, and our place in space?
- Why does the sun look so much brighter than other stars, and what does that tell us about distance in space?
- How do Earth’s systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere) interact with one another?
- How is water distributed on Earth, and why does that matter for life and human activity?
- How can one combined model help us “tell the story” of both space patterns and Earth systems together?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Model and explain why the sun appears brighter than other stars using the concept of relative distance.
- Represent and interpret data on shadow length and direction and seasonal star patterns using simple graphs or maps.
- Develop a model that shows interactions among geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere in at least one real-world example.
- Describe and graph the distribution of water on Earth, distinguishing between saltwater and freshwater in different reservoirs.
- Design and present a combined Space & Earth Systems Project (poster or 3D model + explanation) that connects space observations (shadows, stars) with Earth systems and water distribution.
Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (NGSS-Aligned)
- 5-ESS1-1 — Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from Earth.
- 5-ESS1-2 — Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky.
- 5-ESS2-1 — Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.
- 5-ESS2-2 — Describe and graph the amounts and percentages of water and freshwater in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can explain why the sun looks brighter than other stars by talking about distance.
- I can graph and describe patterns in shadow length/direction and seasonal stars.
- I can show and label how Earth’s spheres (geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere) interact in a model.
- I can describe and graph how water is split between oceans and freshwater (ice, groundwater, etc.).
- I can present a clear project model that connects space patterns and Earth systems and explain it so others understand.