Grade 4 · Science · Unit 6 of 8
Space & the Sky
Watch the Sun, Moon, planets and stars
What your child practises
The Sun is a star; the Moon and planets reflect its light. Children learn safe sky watching, constellations, the North Star, tools for viewing space, and how lunar and standard calendars differ.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: 4S 1.1, 4S 1.2, 4S 1.3 · observing the Sun, Moon, planets and stars, constellations and navigation, and calendars
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
The North Star shows which direction?
🧭- east
- south
- up
- north
Show answer
north
Hint: Travellers have used it to find north.
Question 2
A calendar that follows the phases of the Moon is called a…
📅- solar flare
- lunar calendar
- weather calendar
- space calendar
Show answer
lunar calendar
Hint: Lunar means having to do with the Moon.
Question 3
Both Venus and the Moon shine in our sky. What do they have in common?
💫- they are both stars
- they both make their own light
- they reflect light from the Sun
- they are both comets
Show answer
they reflect light from the Sun
Hint: Planets and moons are lit by the Sun.
Question 4
Why can we not see the stars in the daytime?
🌞- the stars are asleep
- the Sun's bright light fills the sky
- the Moon blocks them
- the stars disappear
Show answer
the Sun's bright light fills the sky
Hint: The stars are still there. The Sun is much brighter.
Question 5
How often does the Moon go through all its shapes (phases)?
🌓- every year
- every day
- about once a month
- every hour
Show answer
about once a month
Hint: A cycle of Moon phases takes about 29 days.
Question 6
Put the steps of observing the night sky in order.
- 👀let your eyes adjust
- 🗺️compare to a star chart
- 🌌choose a dark, safe spot
- ✏️draw what you see with the date and time
Show answer
choose a dark, safe spot → let your eyes adjust → draw what you see with the date and time → compare to a star chart
Hint: Choose a safe spot, let your eyes adjust, record what you see, then compare.