Unit Plan 22 (Grade 5 Science): Weather, Atmosphere & Climate Basics

Focus: Observe and record patterns of sunlight, temperature, and shadows to build foundational ideas about day/night cycles, seasonal changes, and sky patterns that connect to weather and climate.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Science (Earth & Space Science — Earth’s Place in the Universe • Intro to Earth’s Systems)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students become sky pattern detectives, observing how the Sun’s apparent motion changes shadows, day length, and temperature over time. They collect and graph data on shadow length and direction, notice regular patterns in day vs. night, and are introduced to the idea that some stars and constellations are easier to see in certain seasons. These observations set the stage for later work on weather and climate, helping students see that Sun–Earth geometry and light patterns are connected to how warm places get and how seasons feel different.

Essential Questions

• How do shadows, day length, and temperature change throughout a single day and across the year?
• What does the Sun’s apparent path across the sky tell us about day and night?
• Why do some stars or constellations appear in the sky during certain seasons but not others?
• How can graphs and data displays help us see patterns in sunlight, shadows, and temperature that connect to weather and climate basics?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Measure and record the length and direction of a shadow at several times during the school day.
2. Represent data about shadows, day length, and temperature in tables and graphical displays (line plots, bar graphs).
3. Use their graphs and data to describe patterns of daily changes in shadows and day/night and connect them to the Sun’s apparent motion.
4. Explain, in simple terms, that some stars and constellations are seen more easily in certain seasons, and that this is a repeating pattern.
5. Create a Sun, Shadows & Seasons Pattern Poster that uses graphs, diagrams, and explanations to show at least two patterns related to sunlight, temperature, and shadows.

Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (NGSS-Aligned)

• 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.

(This unit focuses on sunlight/shadow patterns as a foundation for later, deeper work with weather, atmosphere, and climate.)

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can measure and record the length and direction of a shadow at different times of day.
• I can make graphs or charts that show how shadows and temperature change throughout the day.
• I can use my graphs to explain how the Sun’s position in the sky seems to change over the day and across seasons.
• I can describe at least one pattern in star/constellation visibility across seasons.
• I can create a poster that clearly explains how sunlight, shadows, day/night, and seasons are connected.