Box+Activities


 * Box Activities:**

This activity is designed to encourage students to look up in wonder at the nights sky and ask questions about they they see. In this activity, they will observe starts and record their observations and wonderings. They will learn about constellations, including the names, pictures, and stories that people have invented to explain the patterns of the stars. The materials used will be as follows: The activity will take approximately two days (one day for observing at night and one day for the activities).
 * Stargazers: Bailey**
 * //Spots of Light: A Book About Stars//
 * //When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer// (if time allows)
 * O-W-L chart
 * Crayons or markers
 * Overhead projector
 * Worksheets provided by teacher ( stargazing take home page, pictures in the sky, my constellations, stargazers lift-the-flap book).

In this session, teams of students will be assigned a specific object in the solar system. I'm going to stick with the 8 planets and the sun. They begin to work on stations for a solar system "tour," which will take place in session 3. Each station will have a travel brochure and a model of the planet/sun. The models will be designed to represent a scale of the actual solar system. The follwing materials will be needed for the class: For each team of 2-4 students: For each student:
 * Activity 3: Our Neighborhood in the Milky Way-- The Solar System: Jaime Eversole**
 * **From the LHS GEMS book**
 * Session 2: The Solar System--Travel Brochures: Jaime Eversole**
 * clay
 * scissors, tape, and glue
 * markers and/or colored pencils
 * construction paper
 * 1 copy of the Solar System Stations Sign-Up sheet
 * several copies of each of the fact sheets for yours and the students reference
 * sample travel brochures from a local travel agency (optional)
 * 1 large, black garbage bag
 * 1 copy of the Solar System Tour Station sheet
 * 2-4 copies of each fact sheet for the given group
 * 1 Solar System Travel Brouchure sheet

In this session, the students tour the solar system model made by the class. After reviewing the questions and format of the data sheet, the students rotate through each of the stations in teams, recordeing information at each location. After completing the tour, the fill in their responses to the questions on their data sheet, and are given the opportunity to return to the stations for further research. The teacher then leads a discussion of the question, "Where in the solar system besides Earth might life exist?" The following materials will be needed for each team of 2-4 students: For each student:
 * Session 3:Touring the Solar System: Jaime Eversole**
 * completed assignments from session 2 of this activity
 * 1 double-sided copy of the Tour of the Solar System data sheet

Time for the activities should be about a week. Monday the students can start their research for their planets or the sun. Any extra research can be assigned for homework. Once they have their information on their planets, they can start building thier models on Tuesday. They can work a little every day on their models, so by Friday they can do their solar system tour!!

Touring the Solar System: Kelsey Shreve In this activity students after learning about their planets will design their own planet using some of the characteristics that they have already learned to implement into their brand new creation. After they fill out a worksheet with the basic facts and name of their planet, they will write a letter to someone here on Earth explaining what their planet is like. Materials Used KWL Sheet from the begining of class Worksheet with the questions about their planet ( from the teacher) Sheet of computer paper or construction paper Crayons or markers Notebook paper for writing their story.

Superbook: Planetary Weather Reports: Kelsey Shreve In this activity I will divide the class into groups, assigning each group a different planet. Each group has to research weather facts for their assigned planet and prepare a weather report. Each group will share its report buy using props such as seasonal clothing, painted backdrops, or weather gear. After each group has presented thier report, student will then discuss the similarities and differences among the planets' weather. Materials: Access to internet for research Big sheets of paper Paint or markers Props