Earth and Space (Year 5, Stage 3)

Click image to view NEW unit of work

Click image to view unit PowerPoint

Click image to view the unit's essential question posters

Click image to view text list

Story Time From Space

Story Time from Space is a great web-based resource to help students build a greater understanding of space by hearing from astronauts on board the International Space Station. These astronauts share different stories with children, many of which are space related. 

• BELOW: Next time you see a sunset 
• TOP RIGHT: Max goes to the space station
• BOTTOM RIGHT: Endeavour's long journey

Find other stories in the library here.

In this unit students will focus on Earth’s place in the solar system, changes on its surface caused by natural disasters and the exploration of how these may be mitigated. This unit aims to further develop students’ understanding of the Earth, its position in the solar system and as a dynamic part of a complex, interrelated system.

This unit of work covers ​NSW Science and Technology outcomes:

• ST3-8ES: 

describes how discoveries by people from different cultures and times have contributed to advancing scientific understanding of the solar system

• ST3-9ES:

​explains rapid change at the Earth’s surface caused by natural events, using evidence provided by advances in technology and scientific understanding

---

KLA Links

This unit connects with the Stage 3 Geography unit Factors that Shape Places, specifically Bushfire Hazard. 

I have designed this unit of work to focus on the effects of bushfires on Earth's surface so that teachers can combine these two units of work and focus on delving deeper into bushfires, their impact and management. You can access the Geography unit here:

Geography Unit: Factors that Shape Places

This unit also integrates in Stage 3 Mathematics and English outcomes to support learning.

• Fractions (I): model & represent unit fractions               MA3-7NA
• Length (I): measure, order and compare objects using familiar metric units of length  MA3-9MG
• Time (I): tell time to the minute & investigate relationship between units of time         MA3-13MG
• Time (II): convert between units of time   MA3-13MG​​

• Speaking & Listening: respond to and compose texts     EN3-1A
• Writing & Representing: respond to and compose texts   EN3-2A
• Responding & Composing: respond to and compose texts   EN3-5B
• Reflecting on Learning: respond to and compose texts   EN3-9E

---

Useful Resources

Click image to view document

NASA Solar System Exploration

Extreme Weather Resources

Space and Our Solar System Resources