Activity: What a spiral galaxy looks like.
The View from Earth and A Spiral Galaxy
Our view from Earth allows us a certain perspective of the other planetary bodies and satellites.
Review the activity below and then discuss if this is appropriate for 5th grade students.
Begin by describing what is meant by the term perspective. Ask the students if they have ever heard of a spiral galaxy and how it is relevant to how the Earth moves. (Engage)
In The Know, Watching The Video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJhgZBn-LHg (21:36)
. Students should discuss in groups, three items of interests from the video.
* Activity to explore what a spiral galaxy looks like
* Use cups in groups and arrange them in a spiral model.
* Understand different perspectives by moving the groups to different positions and angles in the
classroom to view the cups.
* Use a flashlight at different angles to represent the Sun and the movements due to rotation and
revolutions.
* Draw the angle of the shadows and mark the direction of the light source, then graph the data.
* The class should analyze and evaluate ideas/concepts from the video and this activity. They should
write their thoughts on a large sheet of paper that will be hung up around the class for further
discussion.
They should list some of the following points but if they do not then they need to be addressed. A Spiral galaxy, the position of Earth in relation to the Sun, Earth’s rotation and revolution patterns and how it effects the weather and seasons and geographical resources.
Homework assignment: The students should complete a graphic organizer to compare and contrast how people used to think about the Earth and the Sun and how they do today.
Suggested websites:
Mal,
ReplyDeleteI think this activity would be great for 5th graders. I would probably break it up over a couple of days since it looks like it would be a longer lesson. Kids rarely get to do hands on activities and I think they would greatly enjoy to see with a flashlight how the Sun moves and show rotation and revolutions. I know if I was in 5th grade, I would love to do an activity like this. It also gives them an opportunity to really see the different angles and where the sun's light is coming from. Space is always such an interesting topic. I used to love to learn about the planets and the Sun. It seems to really capture students' interests.
Question: Have the students already learned about how people used to think about the Earth? If not, it's going to be difficult for them to compare and contrast the two.
Aimee,
DeleteThank you, I like to have students involved in activities and yes they will have learned about the historical views of Earth and the other planetary bodies.
This would be a great social studies/ science integrated lesson. I always enjoyed integrating subjects as often as possible. Be sure to talk about the relative distance from the sun since that is your standard in 5th grade.
DeleteThank you. Yes, I plan on discussing the relative distance and position, introducing Angstrom Unit (AU) and what it denotes. I always enjoy integrating other subject domains and plan on doing so when I begin teaching. I had a geography professor in my undergraduate years that opened my eyes to how Geography can be used to incorporate several different subject domains and have high level discussions with students. I have used this type of thought in my lesson plan(s) development.
DeleteThis would be a great social studies/ science integrated lesson. I always enjoyed integrating subjects as often as possible. Be sure to talk about the relative distance from the sun since that is your standard in 5th grade.
DeleteThis looks like a very fun and informative assignment. I believe 5th grade students would enjoy this assignment and get a lot out of it. When I was in 4th grade, my teacher had us do the "Water Cycle Boogie." To this day, I remember that because it was fun, different and it stuck out in my mind. I believe that this assignment would be very similar. I think the students will remember it forever. Great job!
ReplyDelete