Unit Plan Template s18

UnitUnit Plan:Plan: TheThe MysteriesMysteries ofof SpaceSpace

Unit Author First and Last Name Marissa Dozier Author's E-mail Address [email protected] Course Name(s) Computers in the Classroom Course Number(s) 4100 Course Section(s) 008 School City, State, Zip Denton, TX 76203 Instructor Name(s): Rhonda Christensen

Unit Overview

Unit Plan Title The mysteries of space Curriculum-Framing Questions Essential Question Where do we fit in the universe?

What are we looking up at after the sun has set? Unit Questions What is the difference between a star and a constellation? Where did the stories describing constellations come from, and what are some? How much do you know about the planets in our solar system?

Unit Summary Learn more about the stars and the constellations that they form and planets in our solar system.

Subject Area(s): (List all subjects that apply) Science, Social Studies, History, Technology (computer)

Grade Level (Click boxes of all grade levels that apply) K-2 3-5 6-8 9-12 ESL Resource Gifted and Talented Other:

3 Be able to describe a constellation (3) Scientific processes. The Use Greek myths to help and its origin. student knows that information, describe 10 constellations and critical thinking, and scientific how they are formed the problem solving are used in image. Then have the students making decisions. The student will get in groups and each get is expected to: to research a different constellation that was not (A) analyze, review, and covered (no group will have critique scientific explanations, the same constellation). The including hypotheses and group will present their theories, as to their strengths constellation to the class on and weaknesses using scientific PowerPoint. evidence and information;

(E) connect Grade 3 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists. 1 Be able to orally describe what is (3) Scientific processes. The Have a class discussion of seen in the night sky (the start of the student knows that information, what the children already lesson). critical thinking, and scientific know just by looking up at the problem solving are used in night sky. Observe images of making decisions. The student the night sky from different is expected to: parts of the world, and images of planets that can be seen at (A) analyze, review, and night, having the children be critique scientific explanations, able to identify each. including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information;

(B) draw inferences based on information related to promotional materials for

I N T E L ® T E A C H T O T H E F U T U R E 2 © 2001 Intel. All rights reserved. products and services; 2 Be able to orally describe the (3) Scientific processes. The Have the students look up the difference between a star and a student knows that information, different constellations on the constellation. critical thinking, and scientific Internet and the stars that problem solving are used in create them. making decisions. The student is expected to:

(B) draw inferences based on information related to promotional materials for products and services; 3 Be able to describe a constellation (4) Scientific processes. The Have the students get into and its origin. student knows how to use a small groups and learn more variety of tools and methods to about constellations and their conduct science inquiry. The myths. student is expected to: Have the groups create their own constellation. Then take (A) collect and analyze pictures of the created information using tools constellations and create a including calculators, night sky on the wall. microscopes, cameras, safety goggles, sound recorders, clocks, computers, thermometers, hand lenses, meter sticks, rulers, balances, magnets, and compasses; 4 Be able to give a brief description of (11) Science concepts. The Have the students write about each planet. student knows that the natural each of the nine planets that world includes earth materials they have observed in class and objects in the sky. The discussions and from the student is expected to: websites that are on the website. (C) identify the planets in our solar system and their position in relation to the Sun; and

(D) describe the characteristics of the Sun. 2 Be able to recognize different (4) Scientific processes. The Have the students use constellations and stars. student knows how to use a handhelds with a program that variety of tools and methods to allows the children to observe conduct science inquiry. The the different stars and student is expected to: constellations.

(A) collect and analyze

I N T E L ® T E A C H T O T H E F U T U R E 3 © 2001 Intel. All rights reserved. information using tools including calculators, microscopes, cameras, safety goggles, sound recorders, clocks, computers, thermometers, hand lenses, meter sticks, rulers, balances, magnets, and compasses

Technology

(7) Solving problems. The student uses appropriate computer-based productivity tools to create and modify solutions to problems. The student is expected to:

(A) use software programs with audio, video, and graphics to enhance learning experiences;

Approximate Time Needed One month

Prerequisite Skills Knowledge of the planets and use of the Internet.

Materials and Resources Required For Unit Technology – Hardware Camera Laser Disk VCR Computer(s) Printer Video Camera Digital Camera Projection System Video Conferencing Equip. DVD Player Scanner Other: Internet Connection Television

Technology – Software Database/Spreadsheet Image Processing Web Page Development Desktop Publishing Internet Web Browser Word Processing E-mail Software Multimedia Other: Power Point Encyclopedia on CD-ROM Printed Materials Handouts (rubrics, assignments)

I N T E L ® T E A C H T O T H E F U T U R E 4 © 2001 Intel. All rights reserved. Supplies Construction paper, crayons or markers, computer, handheld The nine planets – Here you can find information on the history, mythology and current knowledge of each planet and their moons. The images and media on the website are from NASA. http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.html

Welcome to astronomy for kids! – This website is specifically for kids, but grownups are also allowed. Here sky maps, the planets, constellations, and much more are describe. There is also a section to email postcards to friends. http://www.dustbunny.com/afk/index.html

Welcome to the Planets – This website was created from an interactive CD-ROM. Here it describes the planets and shows different pictures taken from space with text and media description of the pictures. http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/ Internet Resources PlanetQuest: the Serach for Another Earth – This was created by members of NASA. On the website you can find current information on new topics about space. There is a link for educators to look at with activities and experiments that the children could try. http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

Stars and Constellations – Here you can find all of the constellations in alphabetical order or by month. It describes what a constellation is and has interactive sky charts. http://www.astro.wisc.edu/%7Edolan/constellations/

The Mythology of the Constellations – This website describes to you the myths that are related to the constellations and how they got their names. It relates the constellations with Greek mythology. http://www.comfychair.org/%7Ecmbell/myth/myth.html Accommodations for Differentiated Instruction Give these students more time on tests and the opportunity to work Resource Student in a group.

Give the student the opportunity to further their knowledge on the planets. Have the student chose what direction they would like Gifted Student their studying to go, with options that you have made. Have them study more stars, get more in depth have them complete a worksheet that you had created.

Student Assessment The students will be able to orally describe the differences between stars, planets, and constellations. They will be able to list a few facts of each (planets, stars, and the constellations that were studied).