How does the young child begin to understand time? What does rotation of the Earth and revolution around the sun have to do with time? This unit emphasizes the Crosscutting Concept of Patterns and Systems and System Models as the basis for understanding both our place in the universe and time. Students learn about cycles and make observations to find out more about how the sky changes throughout the day. They also learn what makes day and night.

Next, students collect and analyze data by making observations of the sky during the day. The students observe changing shadows and consider how the movement of the Earth and position of the sun affects the shadows. They also create models to represent the amount of daylight during each month.

From there, the students begin to look at patterns in the night sky. Moon phases and constellations are introduced in the context of repeating patterns. This unit concludes with students creating a representation drawing and story to represent the sun, moon and stars that can be observed on their birthday each year.