Astronomy Primary Curriculum

Astronomy- Astronomy is a natural science that is the study of celestial objects and phenomena (such as moons, planets, and

stars) and the math, science, and physics, chemistry, and history surrounding events and objects outside of the atmosphere of

earth.Emily Gleason

Habits of Mind• Persisting• Managing Impulsivity• Listening and Understanding with Empathy• Thinking Flexibly• Thinking About thinking• Striving For Accuracy• Questioning and Posing Problems• Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations• Thinking and Communicating With Clarity and Precision• Gathering Data Through All Senses• Creating, Imagining, and Innovating• Responding With Wonderment and Awe• Taking Responsible Risks• Finding Humor• Thinking Interdependently • Remaining Open to Continuous Learning

Elements and Principles of Art• Line

• Color• Shape• Texture• Space• Form• Unity/Harmony• Balance• Hierarchy• Scale/Proportion• Dominance/Emphasis• Similarity and Contrast

Standards

• 9.1- Production• 9.2- Historical and Cultural Contexts• 9.3- Critical Response• 9.4- Aesthetic Response

Decorated Functional Telescopes• Description- The telescope was invented in the Netherlands during the 17th century, and the term was coined

by Giovanni Demisiani in order to describe an instrument owned by Galileo. Students will construct a telescope out of simple materials, decorated in a manner of their choosing.

• Level- 4th Grade• Materials- Two lenses of different focal length (150mm and 500mm), paper towel role, cardstock, paint,

markers, crayons, glitter, art materials of student’s choice. • Habits of Mind- Striving for accuracy, Questioning and posing problems• Elements and Principles of Art- Space, Form, Balance• Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 3.3 Earth and Space Sciences• Objectives-• Students will:• Understand the relationship between their telescope and refraction• Create a visual representation, that relates to classroom discussion of astronomy• Utilize a functional object to engage in classroom study• Time- 2 weeks, 4 40 minute classes• Cost- Lenses, $1.55 each, other materials, free/inexpensive• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Students can be assisted during the process of making the tubes to complete

their project, as well as observing a demonstration

Summer Solstice Diorama• Description- The summer solstice occurs when the tilt of the planet’s semi- axis on the northern or southern

hemisphere comes closest to the sun. This event happens twice a year, once per hemisphere. In colder countries, the solstice is a day of celebration and holidays. Students can make a diorama about the summer, and the sun. Imagery can include what the summer means to you, but it has to include the summer sky, and sun.

• Level- 4th Grade• Habits of Mind- Creating, innovating, imagining, applying past knowledge to new situations, Responding with

wonderment and awe• Elements and Principles of Art- Scale/Proportion, Dominance/Emphasis• Materials- A shoebox, mixed media including paint, glue, markers• Standards- 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 3.3 Earth and Space Sciences• Objectives- Students will…• Analyze a previous experience through learned information• Construct a visual understanding of earth sciences• Present and listen to shared experience• Time- 3 weeks, 6 40 minute classes • Cost- Recycled materials and common classroom materials (paint, glue, markers, ect.) are inexpensive• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Visuals will further assist students, materials that may cause harm (scissors)

will be used with assistance

Earth Solar System Mobile• Description- The solar system comprises of the sun and eight planets and their moons and satellites. Students

can create models of the solar system in groups, in order to visualize information about earth sciences. Mobiles are arranged to represent the distance and location of planets, though some relationships will need to be approximated.

• Level- 4th Grade• Habits of Mind- Thinking about thinking, Gathering data through all senses, Thinking flexibly• Elements and Principles of Art- Texture, Space, Color, Unity/Harmony• Materials- clay, foam, or tennis ball “planets”, skewers, electrical tape, cup, hook, paint and other materials to

decorate planets• Standards- 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 3.3• Objectives-• Students will…• Analyze the relationship between planetary objects• Create in groups an accurate model of classroom information• Demonstrate with clarity learned information• Time- 3 weeks, six 40 minute classes• Cost- This project is moderate in expense, and does require purchasing several items• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Students can be paired, and encouraged to work together within groups

Create Your Own Constellation• Description- Roman philosopher Ptolemy developed a list of 44 constellations and published them in the Alamgest in

the second century. Modern constellations have been expanded to 88 recognized constellations, though the naming of constellations and using images and stories to remember them is an ancient art among many cultures, including Aboriginal, Babylonian, and Arab. Students will create a constellation of stars, and then connect and illustrate these stars so that they illustrate a character or event. Illustrations will be shared and discussed in class, and compared to ancient constellations.

• Levels- 4th Grade• Habits of Mind- Responding with wonderment and awe, Taking responsible risks• Elements and Principles of Art- Space, Balance, Hierarchy• Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 9.4• Objectives-• Students will…• Respond to researched and presented information about historical constellations• Create a fantasy constellation, with a character basis offering explanation and understanding• Describe their constellation, demonstrating • Materials- Paper, pencils, markers, paint• Time- 2 weeks, 4 40 minute classes• Cost- Inexpensive• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Students can pair with another student

Constellation Lamp Shade• Description- Using simple cardboard, a lampshade can be created for a bright light in a tube shape

with punched holes, that displays “stars” on the wall of a darkened room. Students can view their own constellation in the classroom, and describe their constellation characters.

• Level- 4th Grade• Habits of Mind- Responding with awe, Applying past knowledge to new situations • Elements and Principles of Art- Similarity and contrast, Unity/Harmony• Materials- Cardboard, pencils, awls or other sharp implement • Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 9.4, 3.3• Objectives-• Students will…• Represent a creative idea using tactile media• Demonstrate knowledge of space science in a presentation setting• Discuss the nature of imaginative narratives, and the value of cultural narrative• Time- 2 week, 4 40 minute classes• Cost- Inexpensive, sharp tool may need to be provided• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Students will partner up to use any sharp tools

Mission to Mars Spaceship• Description- A mission to mars could potentially take 2 years. During this time, astronauts would have to have all

food, clothing, tools, and other materials on board. Students will designs a spaceship out of a clear soda bottle with nose and fins, as well as contents. Considerations include weight and volume restrictions, and restrictions on food. Students can plan for hydroponic farms, or space beds, or any other space saving, essential characteristics. Representations of these objects can be places in capsules,

• Level- 4th Grade• Materials- Soda bottle, mixed media, cardboard, found objects, glue, paint, brushes, pencils• Habits of Mind- Thinking flexibly, Striving for accuracy• Elements and Principles of Art- Form, Space• Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 3.3 Earth and Space Science• Objectives-• Students will:• Analyze the parameters of the assignment, understanding large concepts• Brainstorm and collect representations of essential objects• Discuss the significance of student’s decisions• Time- 3 weeks, 6 40 minute classes• Cost- Minimal, free (found objects) • Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Ell students can pair with other students, and can use found objects provided,

rather than finding their own.

Classroom Moon Habitat• Description- In 1972, The Apollo 17 spacecraft carried American astronauts to the moon. The space craft that was built for them was lightweight, equipped with food and water, and also insulated, because the surface of the moon can reach -236 degrees Celsius at night. Since this expedition, no Americans have been to the moon. In this project, students will design a shelter for the surface of the moon, that would sustain life for a period of time. This shelter would have to address all of the same concerns as a spacecraft, but would also need to be comfortable and appealing.

• Level- 5th grade• Materials- Newspaper, pencils, yardstick, packing tape, found objects• Habits of Mind- Thinking flexibly, Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision• Elements and Principles of Art- Space, form, unity• Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 3.3 Earth and Space Sciences• Objectives-• Students will:• Research the history of Apollo 17• Develop theoretical and esthetic objectives for group shelter projects• Build as a group a shelter, remaining faithful to group objectives• Time- 3 weeks, 6 40 minute classes• Cost- Negligible, found objects• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL-Special needs students can contribute physically, with low dexterity elements

of this project, such as rolling newspaper. Questions around the theory of a moon shelter can be delivered simply, and with repetition

Aurora Borealis Illustrations • Description- The Aurora Borealis is a series of lights in the night sky caused by the earth’s gravitational pulls,

and radiation in the atmosphere. In northern and arctic areas of the world, the aurora borealis is visible, though in more southern climates, the effect is not seen. Even though students will most likely never experience this phenomenon, they can still recreate this image on paper, with good effect.

• Level- 4th Grade• Materials- Watercolor paint, brushes, paper, spray bottle, salt, oak tag, construction paper, chalk pastels, glue,

scissors• Habits of Mind- Gathering Data Through All Senses, Creating, Imagining, and Innovating• Elements and Principles of Art- Color, texture• Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 3.3 Earth and Space Sciences• Objectives-• Students will:• Understand the concept and effect of space science phenomenon• Demonstrate knowledge of topography and space in creative activity• Utilize learned information to present created landscape• Time- 2 weeks, 4 40 minute classes• Cost- Moderate, oak tag is a moderately expensive paper• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Special needs students can be assisted with cutting

Edible Planets • Description- The layers of the earth are made of the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. In order to

visualize and understand this phenomenon, students will make a model of the earth, out of food and candy. This is a fun exercise for around Halloween. Planets can be decorated with gumdrops and other candy.

• Level- 4th Grade• Materials- Atomic fire ball, marshmallows, cereal, magic shell chocolate or other flavor syrup• Habits of Mind- Striving for accuracy, Questioning and posing problems• Elements and Principles of Art- Space, Form, Balance• Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 3.3 Earth and Space Sciences• Objectives-• Students will:• Research the components of planet composition• Demonstrate knowledge in groups• Critically evaluate learned concepts• Time- I.5 weeks, 3 40-minute classes• Cost- Food is somewhat expensive, especially if ingredients need to be kosher, vegan, or gluten free• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Students can work in groups, lesson plan is simple

Alien Life Form Puppets • Description- For centuries, artists, philosophers, and theologians in many different cultures have wondered what life

on other planets may be like. In 1902, silent film director Georges Melies imagined life on the moon in the form of hostile inhabitants. The 10th century Japanese narrative the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter depicts life on other worlds, as does the medieval Arabic narrative The adventures of Bululkiya. After seeing these examples, students will make puppets out of cups, depicting their conception of life on another planet. Puppet construction is simple, involving a cup, a dowel, paper mache, fabric scraps, felt, and mixed media.

• Habits of Mind- Taking responsible risks, Using humor, Thinking interdependently• Elements and Principles of Art- Form, shape, movement• Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 9.3• Objectives-• Students will:• Research historical and cultural understandings of conceptions of life on other planets• Render creative and fantasy based imagery, creating a narrative• Perform their character, and receive class feedback• Time- 4 weeks, 8 40-minute classes• Cost- Minimal, each student would need a dowel and a foam ball purchased new• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Special needs students can receive their puppet assembled and decorate it

independently, or with assistance.

Class Space Capsule Description- In 1977, NASA released a space probe called Voyager, which contained a golden phonographic record which had a sampling of sounds including human languages, ancient Chinese music, human heart sounds, and children’s voices. In 40,000 years, the space probe will be near a planetary system that may contain intelligent life, though this is a small probably. Students will decide what images, objects, written words, recorded words, and other media will be included in the classroom’s own “capsule,” which students will create to show what their classroom culture, and community culture is to beings on other planets, thousands of years from now.• Level- 4th Grade• Materials- Mixed media, computer media may be used• Habits of Mind- Taking responsible risks, thinking about thinking (Metacognition) • Elements and Principles of Art- Shape, Form, Line• Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 3.3 Earth and Space Sciences• Objectives-• Students will:• Research the components of the Voyager capsule• Decide as a group what salient cultural elements may represent the class• Construct a monument to the value of their cultural experience• Time- 4 weeks, 6 40-minute classes• Cost- Found objects and mixed media are very inexpensive, though any computer media is very expensive • Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL- Students can be assisted during the process of making the tubes to complete their

project, as well as observing a demonstration

• Description-• Level- 4th Grade• Materials-• Habits of Mind-• Elements and Principles of Art- • Standards- 9.1, 9.2, 3.3 Earth and Space Sciences• Objectives-• Students will:• Time-• Cost-• Adaptions for Special Needs/ELL-

The End