The Big Dipper

1
The Big Dipper

• BY
• Elizabeth Harl
• Ellen Rasmussen
• Monique LHeureux
• LaDonna Turner

2
What are the stars in the sky?
3
What Are Stars In The Sky?

• What are stars?
• How is the surface of a star different from the
  surface of Earth?
• What is a constellation?
• How have astronomers viewed the Big Dipper
  differently throughout history?
• What is the Big Dipper?
• How bright are the stars of the Big Dipper?
• How do we read stars in the sky?
• How can we navigate using stars in the sky?
• Does everybody view the stars in the same way?

4

• OUR UNIT PLAN ACTIVITIES

5
Science Objectives

• Understand why stars shine so brightly
• Know component of stars
• Understand that we cant live on stars
• Better understanding of constellations

6
Science Activities

• Magic School Bus Explores the Solar System
  (interactive CD-ROM)
• On the computer we will look at pictures of Ursa
  Major and identify The Big Dipper
• We will explore various websites and learn what a
  constellation is as well as why stars shine so
  brightly
• PowerPoint presentation about stars and
  constellations (with sounds and graphics)
• Research paper (possible science project)

7
(No Transcript)
8
Math Objectives

• Compare the distance of stars in the Big Dipper
  from Earth
• Compare the brightness of stars in the Big Dipper
  
• Read a star map
• Know how to create and use a quadrant in order to
  navigate

9
Math Activities

• 1.Look at the star maps for the northern and
  southern hemisphere. The students will gather one
  night in the school yard to use the maps to see
  various constellations.
• 2.The students will then create their own
  quadrant using an instructional handout.
• 3. Create an Excel spreadsheet that organizes the
  distance and magnitude of the Big Dipper stars
  based off information found on a Deep-Sky Chart
  of Ursa Major. (This chart is found in Nightwatch
  By Terence Dickinson)

10
Star Map of the Northern Hemisphere
Found on the following website Star Maps-
http//csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/time/maps.
html
11
Social Science Objectives

• Use an internet program to create a virtual space
  station
• Collect data for a research project on an ancient
  astronomer using both electronic and print
  resources
• Collaborate in small groups of about five
  students to create a PowerPoint presentation
  about their chosen astronomer.

12
Social Science Activities

• Read Joanna Coles The Magic School Bus Lost in
  the Solar System to the class.
• Direct the students to the following website
  http//www.childrensmuseum.org/cosmicquest/spacest
  ation/index2.html and have each student create a
  virtual space station.
• In groups, the students will research an ancient
  astronomer and create a PowerPoint presentation
  about their life and work.
• We will invite an astronomer to our class to come
  and share their career with us.

13
Language Arts Objectives

• Understand that the stars mean different things
  to different cultures through reading the stories
  by other cultures
• Compile research on another constellation

14
Language Arts Activities

• Start a discussion that discusses how different
  cultures have different views an beliefs
• Explain that viewing the stars is no different
• Exemplify this by reading stories written by
  different cultures
• They Dance in the Sky Native American Star Myths
  by J. Monroe R. Williamson
• Have students take all the knowledge they have
  learned in the unit research another
  constellation

www.amazon.com
15
Student Summative Activities

• Student Brochure
• Student Newsletter
• Student Web Site

16
Final Student Activity

• At the end of this unit, the students will
  collaborate in groups and create a lesson to
  teach what they have learned about The Big Dipper
  to younger students using technology such as
  websites and Power Point presentations.

17
Helpful Resources

• A Few Online Links
• www.kidastronomy.com
• www.earthsky.org/kids/connect-stars
• http//www.mindspring.com/stardancer/whatsup7.htm
  
• http//www.bidonsmith.com/uma_con.htm
• http//www.niti.org/users/maryjo/Bigdip.html
• Virtual Space Station Simulation
• http//www.childrensmuseum.org/cosmicquest/spacest
  ation/index2.html

18
Helpful Resources

• A Few Printed Resources
• The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System
  By Joanna Cole
• The Young Astronomer By Harry Ford
• Follow the Drinking Gourd By Jeanette Winter
• Find the Constellations By Hans Augusto Rey
• Scholastic Encyclopedia of Space By Jacqueline
  Mitton and Simon Mitton

19
Science Standards

• 11.A.2a Formulate questions on a specific science
  topic and choose the steps needed to answer the
  questions.
• 11.A.2b Collect data for investigations using
  scientific process skills including observing,
  estimating and measuring.
• 11.B.2c Build a prototype of the design using
  available tools and materials.
• 12.F.2b Explain the apparent motion of the sun
  and stars.
• 12.F.2c Identify easily recognizable star
  patterns (e.g., the Big Dipper, constellations).

20
Math Standards

• 6.D.2 Describe the relationship between two sets
  of data using ratios and appropriate notations
  (e.g., a/b, a to b, ab).
• 7.C.2a Describe relationships in a simple scale
  drawing.
• 10.B.2b Collect, organize and display data using
  tables, charts, bar graphs, line graphs, circle
  graphs, line plots and stem-and-leaf graphs.

21
Social Sciences Standards

• 16.A.2b Compare different stories about a
  historical figure or event and analyze
  differences in the portrayals and perspectives
  they present.
• 17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic
  representations and instruments to gather
  information about people, places and
  environments.
• 17.D.2a Describe how physical characteristics of
  places influence people's perceptions and their
  roles in the world over time.
• 18.A.2 Explain ways in which language, stories,
  folk tales, music, media and artistic creations
  serve as expressions of culture.

22
Language Arts Standards

• 1.C.2a Use information to form and refine
  questions and predictions.
• 1.C.2d Summarize and make generalizations from
  content and relate to purpose of material.
• 2.A.2b Describe how literary elements (e.g.,
  theme, character, setting, plot, tone, conflict)
  are used in literature to create meaning.
• 2.A.2c Identify definitive features of literary
  forms (e.g., realistic fiction, historical
  fiction, fantasy, narrative, nonfiction,
  biography, plays, electronic literary forms).
• 2.B.2a Respond to literary material by making
  inferences, drawing conclusions and comparing it
  to their own experience, prior knowledge and
  other texts.

23
Language Arts Standards Continued

• 2.B.2b Identify and explain themes that have been
  explored in literature from different societies
  and eras.
• 4.B.2a Present oral reports to an audience using
  correct language and nonverbal expressions for
  the intended purpose and message within a
  suggested organizational format.
• 5.A.2b Organize and integrate information from a
  variety of sources (e.g., books, interviews,
  library reference materials, web- sites,
  CD/ROMs).
• 5.C.2a Create a variety of print and non-print
  documents to communicate acquired information for
  specific audiences and purposes.
• 5.C.2b Prepare and deliver oral presentations
  based on inquiry or research.

24
THANK YOU!!