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Stage 3  – The Learning Plan
'What learning experiences will enable students to achieve the desired results?'
 
 
 
Tuning In

 

Lesson 1.

Black out classroom (to set the scene of the topic)
Youtube - Size of the Universe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0lxbzgwW7I
Brainstorm - What we already know about space (keep for future reference).
Students use Airliner Wireless Slates to brainstorm facts they can recall from the you tube clip and responses are recorded on Smartboard.
Questions - What we want to know/find about.
Planet Sizes - Hands-on activity to introduce students to the different sizes (measurements) of the planets using different size balls/manipulatives to represent the Planets (Jupiter - beach ball; Saturn - watermelon; Uranus & Neptune - basketballs; Mercury & Mars - marbles; Venus & Earth - golf balls). 
 
 
 

 

Finding Out

 
Lesson 2.
 
Day and Night - Students work in groups to present explanations/answers to questions relating to day and night, sunrise and sunset, seasons and time.
Learning Object: "Earth Rotation: Sky Watch" (L1128).  Accessed at the Flinders University Learning Federation: http://econtent.thelearningfederation.edu.au/ec/viewing/L1128/index.html
 
 
 
Lesson 3.
 
Observation / Data collection  - Students to research and collect data (over 2 weeks) from watching news and weather reports relating to times of sunrise and sunset and lunar cycle (moon phases).
    *Resources for students include television, internet, library and newspaper. 
    *Students to observe night sky.
 
 
Lesson 4.
 
Interview with expert - Dr Andy Thomas - guest speaker.
 
 
Lesson 5.

Excursion - UniSA Mawson Lakes, Planetarium
Join presenter Martin Lewicki at the Adelaide Planetarium for an educational and visually stunning tour of the solar system.
* Visit the planets, comets and asteroids in detail
* Discover dwarf planets and beyond
* View the latest images taken from spacecraft and telescopes
* Visit exoplanets beyond the solar system
* Speculate on life beyond Earth
 
 
Lesson 6.

Aboriginal Astronomy - http://www.questacon.edu.au/starlab/aboriginal_astronomy.html
Students work in small groups and report back on a story they choose from the Questacon book The Emu in the Sky.
 
  
 
Sorting Out
 
Lesson 7.
 
Lunar Cycles - Discuss results, findings, data from observations (lesson 3), interview and books.  Discuss theories relating to day, night, year and seasons. 

Learning Object: "Moon Phases" (L754).  Accessed at the Flinders University Learning Federation http://econtent.thelearningfederation.edu.au/ec/viewing/L754/index.html

Role Play - Students create representations (through role play) of moon and planet movements (drama - 3 students/group, whole class)

 
 
Lesson 8.
 
Eclipses - Learning Object: "Eclipses" (L5779).  Accessed at the Flinders University Learning Federation: http://econtent.thelearningfederation.edu.au/ec/viewing/L5779/index.html

Assessment Quiz - using smart response to collaborate class findings.

 
 
Lesson 9.

Maths - focus on measurement, creating tables and graphs of planet sizes and other facts relating to the solar system.

 
 
 

Going Further

 
Lessons 10 to 15
 
Solar System Wiki - Introduction to final assessment task and assessment rubric.
Research -  student choice based on questions and areas of interest that will be collated on whole class wiki page (school network only)

Examples: a planet, career, other aspect from the unit of work (eg NASA, cultural, space exploration, biodynamics, navigation, agriculture) - as negotiated with teacher.


 
  
Making Conclusions
 
Lessons 16 and 17.
 
Presentation - Students present their wiki to the class
Whole Class Discussion:
  • How can changes in our solar system impact life on Earth? - eg. heat, drought, meteor, different lengths of daylight/night etc.
  • Should more money be spent on space research and exploration?  Yes/No?, Why/Why Not?

 
 
Taking Action
 
Lesson 18.
 
Google Earth/Space and Sky - class to monitor rising sea levels or effects on countries & deliver reports via an article in the school newsletter.
Cultural Comparisons - Make connection with students in other countries using Skype (sister school).  Compare weather/seasons, day/night and the effects of these on their culture.

 

 
 

Reflection

 
Lesson 19.
 
What have we learnt? - Record new knowledge on IWB.  Compare and contrast with prior knowledge recorded in lesson 1 (IWB split page).
Blog - Personal reflection Blog entry.
Class Reflection - Circle meeting - discuss and share.

 

 


 

 

Thinking Tools
 

☑ KWHL-Prior Knowledge 

o DeBono's Hats (R-1)
o Extended Brain Storming (Yr 2)
o Question Matrix (Yr 3)
o Thinkers Keys (Yr 4)
☑ Graphic Organisers

o Bloom's Taxonomy (Yr 6)

o Creative Problem Solving (Yr 7)
o Moral Dilemmas
☑ Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
 
 

 

eLearning
 
  • Internet - digital images, websites and YouTube.
  • Graphs and Tables
  • Interactive Whiteboard
  • Airliner Wireless Slates
  • Smart Response
  • Learning Federation Objects
  • Skype
 
 
Creativity and Innovation
 
  • Students apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
  • Students create original works as a means of personal or group expression.

 

Communication and Collaboration
 
  • Students interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
  • Students communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

 

Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
 
  • Students identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigations.
  • Students plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
 
The ISTE National Educational Standards (NET-S) and Performance Indicators for Students:
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/
2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007_Standards.pdf
 
 
  

Unit Evaluation

 

Teacher analyses what aspects of the unit were successful and what aspects could be     improved by conducting a PMI.