Identify planets in our solar system and their basic characteristics.

Describe the earth’s place in the solar system that includes the sun (a star), planets, and many moons.

Recognize that the universe contains many billions of galaxies and that each galaxy contains many billions of stars.

Compare and contrast the size, composition, and surface features of the planets that comprise the solar system as well as the objects orbiting them.

Recognize the role of gravity as a force that pulls all things on or near the earth toward the center of the earth and in the formation of the solar system and the motions of objects in the solar system.

Explain why the planets orbit the sun in nearly circular paths.

Describe how the planets change their position relative to the background of the stars

Explain how the tilt of the earth and its revolution around the sun cause an uneven heating of the earth which in turn causes the seasons and weather patterns.

Explain how gravity is the major force in the formation of the planets, stars, and the solar system.

Describe gravity as a major force in determining the motions of planets, stars, and the solar system.

Compare and contrast properties and conditions of objects in the solar system to those on Earth.

SCALE AND MEASUREMENT

Identify a variety of instruments used to gather evidence about the universe.

PATTERNS

Describe repeating patterns in the Sun-Earth-Moon system and the positions of stars.

SCALE

Relate planetary size and distance in our solar system using an appropriate scale model.