AELP-AST0028

Online Discovery - Astronomy

A Six Week Curriculum Unit for Intermediate Elementary Students

A joint project of the Department of Public InstructionDivision of Independent Study's
Talented and Gifted Resource Center and SENDIT

Compiled by

Jolene Richardson, TAG Resource Center Gleason Sackmann, SENDIT
Robert Stone, Jr., Division of Independent Study

General Information

Date: 1992

Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6

Subject(s):

"Online Discovery - Astronomy" is available over SENDIT for use by intermediate elementary teachers as a six week (thirty 45 minute class periods) science curriculum unit. The curriculum is outcome-based.

The Online Discovery - Astronomy Teaching Aids, containing the diagrams for making overhead transparencies or photocopies, referred to in this curriculum, and the Student Astronomy Resource Book are available for $50.00 from the Division of Independent Study, Box 5036, State University Station, Fargo, ND 58105-5036. Make checks payable to: the Division of Independent Study. The $50.00 Workbook and Resource Book fee allows unlimited photocopies to be made of the Workbook and the Resource Book.

Online Discovery - Astronomy
Unit Outcomes

The student will to the best of his or her ability:

  1. Describe two major types of telescopes.
  2. Build and use a telescope.
  3. Define basic astronomical vocabulary.
  4. Explain the workings of the solar system.
  5. Name and locate five common constellations.
  6. Know ways of measuring distances in space.
  7. Construct a model to illustrate varying distances of stars from Earth.
  8. Work cooperatively to produce a small group project.
  9. Explore astronomical phenomena of interest

Online Discovery - Astronomy
Unit Outline

Week 1

  1. Vocabulary
  2. Introduction to telescopes
    • Work with lenses
  3. Build telescopes

Week 2

Week 3

    Planets
    Model of the solar system
  1. Math problem concerning diameter and rotation time

Week 4

      1. How information is sent from satellites
          - Models of computer pictures

Week 5

    Time
  1. Design a solar cooker
  2. Time of sunrises & sunsets
  3. Study of the night sky
  4. Study several space science fiction stories for plausibility with known astronomy, theories, and pure literary license
  5. Galaxies
  6. Changes in the universe
  7. Meteor impacts on earth
  8. Other

Week 6

Video Tapes:

    • The Earth's Movements
    1. Exploring Space: Beyond Our Solar System
    2. Foundation of the Solar System: Venus and Mercury
    3. How We Know the Earth Moves
    4. The Night Sky
    5. Our Sun and Its Planets
    6. The Solar Sea
    7. The Solar System
    8. Solar System: An Introduction
    9. Sound Waves and Stars: The Doppler Effect
    10. Space Science: Comets, Meteors and Asteroids
    11. Space Science: Planets
    12. The Stars: A First Film
    13. The Starry Messager, Episode 6
    14. Summer Stars and the Milky Way
    15. The Universe: Beyond Our Solar System
    16. What's the Brightest Star?

    Books:

    1. All About Telescopes
    2. Amazing Universe
    3. America at the Threshold
    4. Anno's Sundial
    5. Brief History of Time
    6. Build Your Own Telescope
    7. Earth, Moon, and Stars
    8. Find the Constellations
    9. How to Use an Astronomical Telescope
    10. How to Use Your Telescope
    11. Janice VanCleave's Astronomy for Every Kid
    12. Look to the Sky
    13. Math/ Space Mission
    14. Magellan Venus Explorer's Guide
    15. NASA
    16. New Solar System
    17. Night Sky Book
    18. Planets
    19. Practical Astronomer
    20. Rainbows, Mirages, and Sundogs
    21. Skyguide
    22. Seeing the Sky
    23. Target Earth!
    24. Telescopes you Can Build
    25. This Book Is About Time

    Kits:

    1. Planetarium
    2. PowerTech Solar Power
    3. Stellarscope

    || Introduction || Week 1 || Week 2 || Week 3 || Week 4 || Week 5 || Week 6