Hi Teachers everywhere! This year may everything in your room be right where you look for it instead of where you put it.
Teacher Notes for Space Day WebQuest
This webquest was designed for the young primary grades.
It is designed for use with informal collaborative groups.
My objective is to have the students arrive at an understanding that the sun is a star. This seems very simple and narrow, but it isn't. After reading a few books many 6 and 7 year-olds will be able to state that fact. But when asked why the sun isn't showing up at night with the other stars, they are lost. Question your students as they learn. Help them see the implications of their facts.
It is my intention to have a 6th grade reading buddy to assist groups if needed. Help with the readability or navigation of the various websites will be something for you to consider in your planning.
I refer to Project boxes in the directions.
- The "Famous Constellation Project Box" will need syrofoam cups and a push pin (or something similar if you aren't comfortable with the push pin). These show up best when viewed through a tube.
- The "My Constellation Project Box" will need circles cut from foil, black paper, and glue. (Use circles for stars not the sterotype of 5-point flag star during this unit.)
- The "Sun Project Box" should include lots of art materials in the hottest colors available. Suggestions: tissue paper, construction paper, butcher paper, glue, polymar, paints, glitter, etc.
Notice that a child may disagree with the question on the last task of the Webquests. They may say that it is impossible to answer because the sun is a star, etc.. This kid is a divergent thinker and stong-willed enough to question a teacher and should be encouraged to remain so. (At the very least, stay out of their way.)
Other than a participation grade I do not intend to grade this webquest. You will see references to points. That is to help the child evaluate his/her own progress. The Sun Webquest Evaluation, Stars Webquest Evaluation and Final Report To Mission Control are for the student's benefit. They are learning tools to help the student begin the process of reflection.
The CD program Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe by Dorling Kindserly is a terrific resource.
Here are some books in my Space Box:
Postcards From Pluto - by L. Leedy
Earth, Sky, And Beyond - by J. Verdet
Looking At the Planets - by M. Berger
The Sun: Our Nearest Star - by F. Branley
The Glow-In-The-Dark Night Sky Book - by C. Hatchett
What Makes Day And Night - by F. Branley
A Book About Planets - by B. Reigot
My First Book About Space - by D. Moche
A Book About Planets And Stars - by B. Reigot
The Magic School Bus - Lost In the Solar System - by J. Cole & B. Degen
I will also include fiction books such as Eric Carle's Papa, Please Get The Moon For Me and Dan Yaccarino's Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! I'm Off To The Moon to generate discussion on the nonfiction and fiction genre.
These Arizona State Standards are addressed in this webquest unit:
- Technology Standards:
- Standard 1: Students develop the essential technology skills for using and understanding conventional
and current tools, materials and processes.
- Standard 2: Students know how to solve problems by using current technologies to conduct research,
analyze solutions and present results.
- Standard 4:
Students understand the interrelationships of knowledge and how they are used to solve
technology problems in school, the workplace and society.
- Language Arts Standards:
- Standard 1: Reading
Students learn and effectively apply a variety of reading strategies for comprehending,
interpreting and evaluating a wide range of texts including fiction, nonfiction, classic and
contemporary works.
- Standard 2: Writing
Students effectively use written language for a variety of purposes and with a variety of
audiences.
- Standard 3: Listening/Speaking
Students effectively listen and speak in situations that serve different purposes and involve a
variety of audiences.
- Standard 4: Presentation
Students use a variety of visual media and resources to gather, evaluate and synthesize
information and to communicate with others.
- Science Standards:
- Standard 1: Science As Inquiry
Students understand and use the processes of scientific investigation and scientific ways of
knowing. They are able to design, conduct, describe and evaluate these investigations. They
are able to understand and apply concepts that unify scientific disciplines.
- Standard 2: History and Nature of Science
Students understand the nature of scientific ways of thinking. Students understand that
scientific investigation grows from the contributions of many people.
- Standard 3: Personal and Social Perspectives in Science And Technology
Students understand the impact of science on human activity and the environment and are
proficient in the uses of technology as they relate to science.
- Standard 5 : Physical Science
Students understand the nature of matter and energy including their forms, the changes they
undergo and their interactions.
- Standard 6: Earth And Space Science
Students understand the composition, formative processes, and history of the earth, the solar
system and the universe.
Back to the Exploring the Sun Webquest
Back to the Exploring the Stars Webquest
Back to Report To Mission Control