Hypothesize how the solar system formed.
	Complete a cosmic survey and develop an understanding of how big, how old, and how far objects are in our universe.
	Describe how radioactive decay occurs.
	Explain how radioactive decay relates to radiometric dating.
	Identify four types of radiometric dating.
	Determine the best type of radiometric dating to use to date an object.

Assignment:  Finish Cosmic Survey. 
http://www.astronomyforbeginners.com/astronomy/howknow2.php#ageuni
http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys240/lectures/distant/distant.html
http://astrosociety.org/edu/publications/tnl/56/ancient3.html

	Differentiate the influences of the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
	Use a model to explain why moon phases happen.
	Conclude what causes the phases of the moon.

Assignment:  Model phases of the moon.

	Analyze the current theory of the origin of Earth’s moon.
	Conclude what causes the seasons.
	Determine the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse.

Assignment:  Notebook.


What is a solar eclipse?


 

	Determine the order in which the planets orbit the sun.
	Determine how the planets in our solar system were discovered.
	Differentiate between the inner planets and outer planets.
	Contrast planet’s period of rotation and period of revolution.
	Contrast prograde and retrograde rotation.
	Compare Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
	Determine the characteristics that make Earth suitable for life.
	Compare and contrast gas giants and terrestrial planets.
	Compare Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
	Learn about the history of space travel.

Assignment: Phases of the moon quiz.  Planet Pages in notebook.  Planet Poetry Rubric.