Don’t close this browser tab!

This Mystery is being downloaded to your device so you can play it at home without an Internet connection.

Keep this tab open once it's downloaded in order to play the Mystery.

If you experience problems, please talk to your teacher.

0% Cancel
When can we see the Sun, Moon, and stars?

When can we see the Sun, Moon, and stars?
Scroll for prep
Slide Image
In this unit, we learned about the Moon and stars. We can use what we learned to predict some things about how the Moon and stars change. Discuss. What does it mean to predict something?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
The Moon changes in cycles. Look at the missing spot in this cycle. Discuss. What would the Moon look like in that spot? How do you know?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
This is what the Moon would look like in the missing spot of the cycle. If we know the whole cycle, we can tell what the Moon will look like in the future. That means we can predict what it will look like.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Now, let’s look at stars. Let’s predict what will happen when the Sun comes up. Discuss. When the Sun comes up, will we still be able to see the stars? Why or why not?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
When the Sun comes out during the day, we can’t see the stars anymore. The Sun outshines them. We can predict that this will happen each day.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
We started this unit by looking at this book. Layla was confused by one picture. She didn’t know that she could see the Moon during the day. Can you help her predict which things we can see during the day or the night?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Step
01/07
You will get a sheet that looks like this. You will write your name at the top.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Step
02/07
The box on the left shows a place during the day. The box on the right shows the same place during the night.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Step
03/07
The Sun, Moon, and stars are in boxes down the middle.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Step
04/07
Draw lines to connect the Day box with the things you can see in the sky during the day. If you predict that we can see the Sun during the day, you would draw a line like this.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Step
05/07
If you don’t think you will be able to see something in the sky, then don’t connect it with a line.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Step
06/07
Then, on the other side of the paper, draw lines to connect the Night box with the things you predict you can see in the sky during the night.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Step
07/07
Get a sheet. Put your name at the top. Then, draw lines to predict what you think you will be able to see in the sky during the day and night.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this performance task, students will apply what they learned over the course of this unit to predict when the Sun, Moon, and stars will be visible in the sky.
Preview activity
Number of students:
What can I see in the sky? printout 1 per student
Prep Instructions

Before starting this lesson, review the unit Teacher Guide for an overview of the Moon & Stars Anchor Layer.

Students can work individually, in pairs, or you may choose to work with small groups. Print as many copies of the What can I see in the sky? worksheet as you will need for your students. One copy will be needed for each individual, each pair, or each small group.

With your students, begin the lesson. It begins with a brief unit review. Then, move through the activity. The activity includes a step-by-step guide and discussion questions throughout.