Total Duration: |
Greater than 120 Minutes |
Materials and Resources: |
2 flashlights globe one copy of star signs from the Attachments section one copy of notetaking cards from the Attachments section for each student Rubric for each student paper markers, crayons, or other art supplies yellow and red food coloring (optional) shaving cream (optional) |
Technology Resources Needed: |
computers with Internet access (one per pair of students) computer with Internet access and projector for displaying videos and websites |
Background/Preparation: |
Teachers should preview the website students will use for research prior to the lesson. Additional resources and information are available in NASA's Living with a Star teacher guide. |
Engage (10 minutes): Model how stars that are closer appear brighter with the following activity. For this part of the lesson, you need a globe, the sun and star signs from the Attachments section, two flashlights, and a dark classroom or hallway.
Explore (30 – 45 minutes, depending on students’ research skills):
Explain (30 – 40 minutes):
Elaborate (45 minutes – 1.5 hours, depending on your students): Students will use their written essays to create a poster, picture book, or digital presentation for younger students to explain why the sun looks brighter than other stars. You may assign these products based on students’ strengths and abilities, or you may allow students to choose which type of product they want to make. Share the evaluation rubric with students before they begin their posters, books, or presentations. Resources for posters:
Resources for picture books:
Free tools for digital presentations: Have students share their posters, books, or presentations with a kindergarten–second-grade class along with sunspot cookies! |
Assessment Strategies |
Use this rubric to evaluate students’ posters, books, or digital presentations. If your class shares their products with a lower grade class, they can evaluate their own effectiveness by interviewing the younger students following the presentations to see if their understanding increased. |
Acceleration: |
Students can conduct an experiment to see the effects of the sun’s radiation through this sunscreen experiment at NASA’s Space Place. Have students conduct more extensive research on the sun using the following websites:
Play the Solar Trickionary game online to learn detailed facts about the sun. |
Intervention: |
Preview or review content with these videos:
Assign partners for research strategically, pairing students who need assistance with peer tutors. Allow students to choose how they will present their information, giving the option to use technology to type the essay and create a digital presentation. This may help students with limited fine-motor skills focus on the content rather than the artwork and handwriting. |
View the Special Education resources for
instructional guidance in providing modifications and adaptations
for students with significant cognitive disabilities who qualify for the Alabama Alternate Assessment.
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