Space, Solar System: Out of This World: Unit Overview
Studying space and the solar system is almost a rite of passage for Upper Elementary students. Both international schools where I have worked taught this unit, and it is a challenge for both the children and teachers. I’ve build the library integration lessons with some information literacy skills (factfinding), a bit of literature (Science Fiction genre), and some current events (Mars colonies.) If you have time, I’ve even thrown in a lesson that uses NASA’s Picture Dictionary for vocabulary and language support. These lessons can be taught in any order, so choose the ones that best fit your students. Get ready to blast off as your students discover the solar system and build literacy skills at the same time.
Out of This World #1: A Factfinding Mission: Print and Digital Resources
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students use both print and digital resources to gather facts about space and Earth’s solar system. Lesson Plan: Suggested Grades: 3-5 Objective: Each student will use a reference source to gather ten facts about space or Earth’s solar system. Each student will also make a… Read more
Out of This World #2: Genres and Science Fiction
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students are introduced to the concept of “genre.” They also discover a bit more about Science Fiction by listening to a story by one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time, Ray Bradbury. Last week’s emphasis was on factfinding and non-fiction. This lesson… Read more
Out of This World #3: Mission to Mars with The Day Explorer
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will respond to a news article about the possibility of humans living on Mars. They will structure their thinking using a “Pro/Con” T-Chart and then decide whether or not they would be willing to move to Mars. Lesson Plan: Suggested Grades: 4-5 Objective: To… Read more
Out of This World #4: NASA Picture Dictionary
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students get to play with space words. Using the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration – NASA’s Picture Dictionary, students will gather words and their meanings to write and illustrate an acrostic composition. This lesson gives the children a chance to be creative and express… Read more
Out of This World #5: Moon In, 20 July 1969 (A Time Travel Lesson)
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, travel back in time to 20 July 1969, the day that a human being first landed and walked on the moon. This is the only time travel lesson (so far) on PYPLibrarian, and I am thrilled to make it available. This is an easy-to-pull-off lesson,… Read more