Stars and the Solar System
As part of the student's exploration of Stars and The Solar System, the class will gain an appreciation for the scale of the distances between the Sun and the planets, as well as the physical characteristics of planets and stars. In an effort to make learning meaningful, most lessons and presentations will include hands-on experiments and explorations. In keeping with the major theme of models in Fourth Grade, we will use representations to illustrate concepts to a scale that the children can comprehend. The students will make examples including the laminar flow seen within the atmosphere of Jupiter and create mini-projection booths to learn constellations. This unit promises to give the children fun and exciting introductory window to astronomy.
Focus
• Research, record, and share information about the planets and constellations • Observe stars in night sky and various resources • Compare number, color, size and position of stars • Identify constellations as patterns of stars • Compare planets and stars in number, appearance, position • Develop models of planets according to relative size and order from the sun • Relate models to explanations of Earth/moon/sun in day/night cycle, phases of the moon, and seasonal changes on Earth • Create a model of meteorite/asteroid impacts on the Moon • Create a model of Jovian laminar flow • Develop and present their own legend about a constellation |
Websites to Explore on the Topic:
Solar System Exploration
The Space Place
Solar System and Planets - with Peter and Paul around the Galaxy
Amazing Space
Mission to Mars
The Space Hopper Game
The Night's Sky:
Space Map Planosphere
EarthSky
Recommended by the Davis family:
Online Astronomy Academy