Sun, Moon, and Stars introduces Grade 1 students to phenomena and fundamental concepts of the movement of objects in the day and night sky. The guiding phenomenon is to use person observation to question why the objects in the sky—the sun, moon, and stars—seem to move and change position over time.

Over the course of the unit, students will record observations of sunrise and sunset and the visible shape of the moon over periods of time. By recording observations of the sunrise and sunset throughout the school year, students will learn that the periods of daylight grow longer and shorter during summer and winter. By collecting data of the shape of the moon over two months, students will recognize the patterns of the phases of the moon. By studying star configurations, students will begin to realize that stars are fixed, and it is Earth that is moving.

Scientists, including astronomers, climatologists, and meteorologists, observe, analyze, and study patterns of the apparent movement of celestial objects to describe patterns in the natural world to answer scientific questions. This series of lessons incorporates learning goals that support scientific principles and practices, such as analyzing and interpreting data, recognizing cause and effect, and planning and carrying out investigations.