The information and activities in this Space Exploration Resource Guide are organized in roughly three sections: the Space Travel Simulation; Our Solar System and Beyond; and Energy, Force, and Motion in Space. Learning opportunities in each section are planned to engage children and teachers in experiences that allow for free exploration, concept development, and application of concepts. A classroom space shuttle simulation provides the focus for child exploration throughout the unit of study. Pretend space exploration stimulates curiosity, motivating children to research information about the solar system and investigate scientific principles at work in the universe. The activities in the resource guide are not organized in a sequential, lock-step way, but rather are structured so teachers can choose from activities as if they were selecting from a menu planning learning opportunities based on children s interests and levels of understanding. The concepts of time, distance, and space are very abstract and difficult for many young children to comprehend. Therefore, activities outlined in this resource guide vary in general grade-level appropriateness allowing teachers to adapt them to meet their own students needs. Opportunities to develop the science skills of observing, data gathering, classifying, measuring, recording, listening, and writing are numerous. Children can record observations, experiments, and investigations in their space journals. As children represent their understanding in words and pictures, they revisit a concept or experience to organize their thinking and construct their own meaning and logic. A To the Parent reproducible page provides an overview of the Space Exploration unit and suggests ways parents can enhance their child s experiences. Four reproducible pages for recording data from research and investigations are included for student use. They are referred to as R within the text. A Solar System Chart provides teachers with a quick reference guide to information about the planets. This is meant for teacher use; children should be allowed to experience the excitement of discovering this information through their own independent research. Four transparencies illustrate concepts introduced in activities and can be used to engage students and teachers in discussion and exploration. They are referred to as T within the text. (See also inside covers.) The bibliography includes books and resources for children and teachers.
Grades: 2-3
Pages: 32-Reproducible , 4-Transparencies
ISBN # 0-7877-0038-X , MP-4793
