NWEA Study Guide
NWEA CONCEPTS AND IDEAS TO LEARN!
- Describes components of the solar system
- Identifies the location of planets relative to the sun
- Describes the order of planets and the asteroid belt in the solar system
- Recognizes that day and night are caused by the Earth’s rotation on its axis
- Recognizes that the Sun is a medium-sized star
- Compares the Sun to other stars and star systems
- Recognizes that the solar system includes the Sun, nine planets including Earth, the Moon and satellites orbiting other planets, asteroids, and comets
- Describes characteristics of the planet Mars
- Analyzes the motion of the Moon around Earth
- Describes distance of individual planets from the Sun
- Recognizes that Earth is somewhat unique in its characteristics
- Explains that the Moon and planets shine by reflected sunlight, not their own light
- Identifies daily patterns caused by Earth’s rotation
- Explains that gravity is a force producing attraction between matter
- Recognizes that the Earth is spherical in shape
- Recognizes that day and night are caused by the Earth’s rotation on its axis
- Explains how the Earth’s rotation on its axis causes day and night
- Relates the Earth’s rotation on its axis to the length of a day
- Recognizes that the Sun, Moon and planets are spherical in shape
- Identifies arrangement of bodies within our galaxy
- Describes the relationship between the Moon and the Earth (the Moon is a satellite of the Earth, and therefore orbits around the Earth)
- Recognizes that it takes about 29 days for the Moon to orbit Earth
- Recognizes that the Moon is a natural satellite of Earth
- Describes how the Moon’s surface has been affected by meteorites
- Describes the motion of Earth around the Sun
- Orders the planets in terms of distance from the Sun
- Compares Earth to other planets in terms of ability to support life
- Explains that Earth is the only planet in our solar system that contains water in liquid form
- Explains that the Moon and planets shine by reflected sunlight, not their own light
- Explains the concept of a full day and night in terms of Earth’s motion
- Defines rotation of planets
- Explains that part of the Milky Way galaxy can be seen as a bright band of light in the night sky
- Describes characteristics of the planet Jupiter
- Explains that during a solar eclipse, the Moon’s shadow falls on the Earth
- Identifies the phases of the Moon
- Recognizes that the planets are kept in orbit around the Sun due to gravity and inertia
- Describes characteristics of the solar system
- Determines how the Earth moves in relation to the Moon
- Uses models to show how the relative location of the Sun, Moon, and Earth are responsible for tides
- Describes the effects of gravity on Earth’s motion