Georgia S2E1.b
The Standard
Construct an argument to support the claim that although the sun appears to be the brightest and largest star, it is actually medium in size and brightness.
Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science · Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about stars having different sizes and brightness.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students compare the Sun with stars that are smaller, larger, dimmer, and brighter. They use evidence to explain why the Sun only looks unusually large and bright from Earth.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student identifies the Sun as a medium-sized, medium-bright star. The student supports that claim with star comparisons and explains that the Sun appears larger and brighter because it is closer to Earth.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the Sun is the largest and brightest star because it looks that way from Earth. They may also think all stars are the same size or that closer objects are physically larger.
How to Assess It
- Give students a simple star comparison chart. Ask, "Is the Sun the largest and brightest star? Write a claim and support it with two facts from the chart."
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups different-sized balls and flashlights at varied distances to model actual size, actual brightness, and appearance from Earth.
Ask, "Why might a nearby star look brighter than a faraway star?" Have students answer with a claim and evidence.
Play a card sort where students place star cards into smaller, medium, or larger and dimmer, medium, or brighter groups.
Compare a nearby streetlight with one far down the road, then connect apparent size and brightness to our view of the Sun.
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Printable S2E1.b Worksheet
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Related Standards
- S2E1
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about stars having different sizes and brightness.
- S2E1.a
Ask questions to describe the physical attributes (size and brightness) of stars.
- S4E1.b
Construct an argument on why some stars (including the Earth's sun) appear to be larger or brighter than others.
- S4E1.d
Evaluate strengths and limitations of models of our solar system in describing relative size, order, appearance and composition of planets and the sun.
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