G.E. SCIENCE CURRICULUM/ACTIVITIES FOR FALL 2007
 

SCIENCE IN A TRUNK

A collection of science equipment, ideas and experiences within three large trunks, acquired from the Charleston Educational Foundation Grant for 2007-2008 School Year
Authoring, Researching, Reporting and Other Work

A Learning On-Line/Project Arrow Activity by Howard Taylor
 
SCIENCE CURRICULUM FOR FALL SEMESTER --
My goal is to offer short experiences with questioning in each of the sciences so that all children will be aware of the fields of science.  Included will be reading and hands-on experiences. 
New Links to Use:
 
CONSTELLATIONS
LESSON PLAN
GOALS:
G.E. students will:  1. Select and research and write a realistic fiction story will be written incorporating the facts from the research;  2.  Learn to use WORD software to publish the story; 3. All stories (grades 4, 5 and 6) will be compiled in a special G.E. publication.
 
OBJECTIVES:  See the objectives listed in the assessment rubric
 
Higher Learning Level Expectations:
G.E. students will:  1.  Answer a set of questions concerning the constellation and it's myth;  2. Create a sequel to the myth involving the mythological characters and it's story; 3.  A published document will be created that displays the aspects of good writing; 4.  Appropriate images will be used to illustrate the story; 5. The type of writing can be an action, humorous, scary, or any theme that the student wants to use.  6. Students will apply their information by writing a new story which follow-ups the original myth (application); will use information gained to create a whole new order of events with a new ending (analysis); will create a whole new myth (synthesis); will display understanding and empathy for the myth characters (evaluatio

Time Needed to finish activity: three G.E. sessions

 
Materials and equipment needed:  1.  Computers  2.  World Book Online and book-version; 3.  Internet connection for special selected websites; 4.  Paper/pencil to compile answers; 5.  Printer to print final stories.
 
Resources for research:  1. Hubble Web Site to view "Tonight's Sky" videos;  2. Websites on the pre-selected websites hot list; 3.  World Book On-Line; 4. Google-Search to find additional information
 
Assessment procedure:  1.  The research and stories will be evaluated using this simple checklist rubric:
Objective: 0 pts. (didn't do it or can't apply) 1 pt. (did it, but not at a high level) 2 pts.  (did it very well and at a high level)
Questions were answered correctly and in enough detail      
Story has a clear beginning (Intro Paragraph)      
Story includes the main characters & descriptions from the original myth      
Story is two pages or more in length; uses paragraphs, correct spelling and grammar      
Story has an interesting plot (flow and climax)--shows creativeness      
Story is illustrated with appropriate images      
Story is published in a nice font and other features (background, colors, table usage, watermark)      

Total Points for each column

 

 

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All Columns:Total Points=

  
Total Points Values: 0-5=Not so good   5-10=Satisfactory, but not real creative  11-12=  Very Good Job    13-14 pts.=Super Brain Job
 
QUESTIONS TO RESEARCH:
 
Exploring the constellations and the stars. Here are a few talking points to get things started:
  • Constellations: Which ones can you identify? Each constellation has its own name, story, and legend: What are they? When are different constellations visible? Where do they rise in the sky? Are the constellations the same or different in the winter, spring, summer, and fall?
  • Which days of the week are named after objects in the sky? (All of them!) Monday is the moon's day, Tuesday is named for Mars, Wednesday for Mercury, Thursday for Jupiter, Friday for Venus, Saturday for Saturn, and Sunday for the sun.
  • As a final project, write a story about a "What if . . .  your constellation decides to leave the sky and come to earth.  What would your constellation do for human-kind?  This story can be an adventure, or a happy or serious event.  Illustrate your constellation story.  Have fun.
  • Here is a great constellations web source:  http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/
  • Here are the questions to answer before writing your story:
1. Where did the name come from? What is the story behind it?

(example: Greek mythology)

2. What figure is the constellation?

(example: Phoenix, an mythological bird)

3. Are there any prominent stars?

(example: a giant star named Polaris)

4. When can the constellation be seen during the year?

(example: From March to June)

5. Where can the constellation be seen?

(example: In the northern sky)

6. Is your constellation near any other?

(example: It is just south of Draco. They share 2 stars)

7. What does the figure look like?

(example: Design an illustration of your constellation)

 

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