The Solar System and Beyond
Learning Sequence 1
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Introduction With Gavin
In the video above, we will have the pleasure of meeting Dr Karl for the first time and begin our journey into the fascinating world of space and our solar system.
During the video, students will learn about the planets and their unique features, as well as their sizes and positions within our solar system. The position of Earth within the solar system will also be discussed, helping students to gain a basic understanding of the distances between planets and their relative positions.
By the end of the video, students will have a newfound appreciation for the vastness and complexity of our solar system, and a basic understanding of the planets that call it home.
This week, we will have the pleasure of meeting the amazing Dr Karl and beginning our journey into the solar system. Over the next ten weeks, we will delve deeper into space and explore everything from our own planet to the far corners of the galaxy.
During this first week, we will start by exploring our own solar system and focusing on specific aspects of our planet, as well as the inner and outer planets. As part of this week’s activities, we will create flashcards to donate to another school or class that is also learning about the solar system.
In addition to this, we will also learn how to teach younger children about the solar system using the materials we create. This will help us to solidify our own knowledge while also sharing it with others. Each week we will make a beautiful teaching material to help younger children learn all about the solar system and beyond!
Quote of the Week - Neil Armstrong
As part of the course, we will explore a series of inspiring quotes from the 12 astronauts who have had the privilege of walking on the moon. Each week, students will be asked to critically analyze and interpret one of these quotes to gain a deeper understanding of the message conveyed by the astronaut.
Students may also choose to conduct independent research on the astronaut or the particular space mission they were a part of, and record their findings in a notebook. To further enhance their engagement with the quote, students are encouraged to create an artistic representation, such as a drawing or visual art piece, that captures the essence of the message being conveyed.
Throughout this course, we’ll be exploring some inspirational quotes from the 12 astronauts who walked on the moon. Every week, you’ll get to read one of these quotes and try to figure out what the astronaut meant by saying it.
You can do some research to learn more about the astronaut or the space mission they were a part of, and write down your findings in your notebook. To make things even more fun, you can also create a drawing or artwork that shows what you think the quote is all about. This will help you engage with the quote and understand it better.
Weekly Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words will help you during this week’s lesson. You may already know some of these words however practice makes perfect!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
Weekly Comprehension Activity - Introduction to the Solar System
Each week, we will provide you and your class with a reading comprehension activity. This can be done independently or tackled as a guided reading activity with your students.
Once the children have read the relevant information, they can then work through the comprehension questions until they become too hard,
The four levels of questions allow for your students to push themselves until they become too difficult. They may wish to use classroom resources to solve the questions they find too hard or they can be used as extension activities to be completed in free time or at home.
Read the information opposite on the introduction to the solar system and use the information gained from the video above and attempt to answer as many of the comprehension questions as possible.
You may talk to the people in the classroom and use any resources available in the classroom to get the answers. You may even wish to continue your research at home on the questions that you could not solve.
We have made the questions range in difficulty, see how far you can get! Remember to answer the questions in full sentences and make notes of any diagrams or amazing facts that may help you remember the information later.
Research Time - Solar System Facts
In order to establish the groundwork for the 10-week course on the solar system, we recommend that your class begins with a straightforward research project on the various celestial objects that inhabit our solar system.
Ask your students to read the task card and work in pairs, groups, or individually to discover the most fascinating facts about each object. This activity will ignite their curiosity for the rest of the session and the next ten weeks.
Take a look at the task card we’ve provided and work with your partner, group, or individually to discover mind-blowing facts about each of the twelve objects listed. We want you to find the most fascinating and awe-inspiring facts out there!
Use a variety of sources to gather your information and jot down your discoveries in the space provided. We’ll be using these facts in our next activity, so be sure to choose the best ones!
This research project is a great way to get us excited about the incredible world beyond our own planet and set the foundation for our upcoming exploration of the solar system!
Let’s Create with Jordan - Constellation Diagram
The children will be guided by Jordan to create a constellation diagram this week. To make the diagram, the children must observe the night sky, sketch the visible stars, and use black paper to create an inspiring constellation visual that encourages others to discover the stories concealed in the night sky.
It is recommended that the children watch the video and gather the correct materials before they begin making their own image.
Constellation Sketch:
Core Curriculum Connection: Science
Elemental Foci: Value, Space, Shape
Principle Foci: Unity, Contrast, Movement
Goal: Students will be able to create their own version of a star map using the night sky near their home.
Criteria:
– Use a black backing composition for your base to simulate the night sky.
– Map out the stars as you observe them by drawing out dots, altering pressure and size to show brighter stars. Use white colored pencils, crayons, or paint to make them visible on your black paper.
– Research the constellations in your night sky, combining your stars into constellations by linking them with lines, then labelling them.
Relevance:
Through this project, students will be able to understand the names and locations of stars they can see, and see that the night sky is different for different people all over the world.
Every week, we’ll provide you with an art activity related to what we’ve been learning about in class. It’s an opportunity for you to enhance your artistic abilities and learn more about the Solar System and Space!
Jordan will be joining us every week to brainstorm creative ways to showcase what we’ve learned about Space while also doing some good for the world.
We may challenge you to use recycled materials for your artwork, encourage you to teach someone else using what you create, or simply give it away as a gift to brighten someone’s day.
Take a look at the video on the other side and then do your best to follow Jordan’s guidance to make the world a better place with your creative skills.
To fully understand what we will be creating this week, you may wish to watch the full video below before starting.
Let’s get creative!
Bringing Mathematics To Life - Big Numbers
Each week, we will provide you and your class with a reading comprehension activity. This can be done independently or tackled as a guided reading activity with your students.
Once the children have read the relevant information, they can then work through the comprehension questions until they become too hard,
The four levels of questions allow for your students to push themselves until they become too difficult. They may wish to use classroom resources to solve the questions they find too hard or they can be used as extension activities to be completed in free time or at home.
This week we want to link the wonderful world of mathematics to the deep science of the solar system. Mathematics is like a river that runs through every single subject in the world, especially space!
This week we want you to research some of the amazing numbers that occur in our solar system. We want to start close to Earth and take you right out into the solar system.
Use the task card as a guide and make sure that you utilise a variety of research tools to help you find out the numbers associated with the questions on the task card opposite.
Remember that before you start to conduct your research, you must first make an estimate of what you think the answer is. You may be surprised!
The first one has been done for you.
Let's Create With Jordan - Full Video
Watch the video with your class and support them as they use the skills demonstrated in the video in their own work tasks.
Watch Jordan’s full video here before starting your creative art project and remember that your work does not need to match Jordan’s exactly. Use it as a guide and try to make your work unique and be as creative as you like!
Real World Learning - Creating Flashcards
This week, we would love for your children to share their newly acquired knowledge about space by creating an educational resource. They can use what they learned from the amazing Dr. Karl and work alone or with a partner to make a set of inspiring flashcards about each aspect of the solar system mentioned in the template above.
Your children can use Canva to design their flashcards, or they can print the document and use pencils, paints, or any other creative means they prefer. Once they’re done, we want them to brainstorm ideas on how these resources can be used to motivate other children to learn more about space!
Flashcards are a wonderful way to allow children to learn new concepts. They last a long time, they can be inspirational and inspire children to want to know more.
This week, we want you to make some flashcards about space – like the solar system and beyond! You can use our special template to make them.
Once you’ve finished making them, you can cut them out, cover them with plastic, and use them to teach other children about space! Or, you can donate them to your school or another classroom so they can be used again and again.
Remember to make your flashcards colorful and easy to understand. They’ll be used by younger children who are just learning about space, so make sure they’re simple and accurate.
Who knows, maybe your flashcards will inspire someone to become an astronaut or an astronomer one day!
