Carolina Curriculum: GEMS > Kits for Grades K-5

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Expanded view of the Earth, Moon and Stars Kit

GEMS^® Earth, Moon and Stars (Grades 5–8)

GEMS Earth, Moon, and Stars turns the sky into your students’ laboratory. The activities in this unit guide students into using the sky to answer their questions about the Earth, Moon, and stars. They improve their thinking skills, such as observing, measuring, recording, map reading, using models to explain observations, and inventing their own models. Students gain deeper understanding and appreciation of the Earth and its relationship to the Sun, Moon, stars, and gravity.

Six activities engage students in the study of ancient models of the world, the Earth’s shape and gravity, observing the moon, and modeling moon phases and eclipses. Students make star clocks and learn how to use star maps. To effectively present this unit, be sure to choose a time of year that offers clear skies. All activities can be done in the classroom or outdoors during the daytime, with a few evening homework assignments.

Benefits of using this kit:
	Introduces foundational science concepts that lead to student success
	Strongly aligned with multiple state standards and the National Science Education Standards and Bench Marks for Science Literacy
	Provides clear step-by-step instruction, assessment suggestions, literature connections, and ideas for further instruction

Goals Standards In the Kit Pilot this Kit Support

Goals of Earth, Moon and Stars
	Students are able to make systematic observations of the sky and create models to explain their observations.
	Students are able to reconcile what they have been told about the Earth’s spherical shape with its flat appearance.
	Students are able to apply the concept of gravity to explain what happens to people and objects on or inside the Earth.
	Students use a concrete model of the Earth, Moon, and Sun to explain the phases of the moon and an eclipse.
	Students locate constellations in the night sky, describe how they move during the evening, and explain this movement in terms of the rotation of the Earth on its axis.
	Students pose and answer some of their own questions about the Earth, Moon, and stars.

National Standards addressed by Earth, Moon and Stars:

	Earth and Space Science Standard, 5–8: Earth in the Solar System.
	Inquiry Standard, 5–8: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry.
	Science and Technology Standard, 5–8: Abilities of technological design; Communicate the process of technological design; Understanding about science and technology.
	History and Nature of Science Standard, 5–8.
	Unifying Concepts and Principles: Constancy, change, and measurement; evidence, models, and explanation; Scale and Structure.

In the Kit:
The unit kit comes with a Teacher's Guide, a Teacher's Pack containing: copy masters, MSDS sheets, matrix of provided materials where used and materials needed but not supplied, and materials needed for a class of 32 students.

Try the Carolina Curriculum Pilot Program
What’s the best way to learn about STC Program®, Building Blocks of Science™, Math Out of the Box®, or GEMS Kits®? Pilot a unit in your school or district!

Here's how it works:

	Complete the pilot information request form.
	You choose a lead teacher(s) to pilot the units.
	Carolina ships the selected unit kit(s) to your school/district.
	At the end of the pilot, you can purchase one of the unit kits for 10% off the catalog price!

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Carolina’s Curriculum Sales and Services group provides districts and schools that are evaluating curriculum with samples, professional planning, and implementation assistance. Our staff includes in-office curriculum account managers and regional sales managers in the field. Click here to contact the account manager and sales manager for your school district.

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	Earth, Moon and Stars Kit This Kit comes with a Teacher's Guide, an information packet, and the materials needed for a class of 30.

	Earth, Moon and Stars Kit Teacher's Guide Additional Teacher's Guides are available if you need them.