By: Marisa Cottrell, Angie Doyle, and LeKeisha ... · one. Mars has two small moons” (Cessna, 2010). These planets also have no ring around them ... Jovian Planets. ... planets

By:MarisaCottrell,AngieDoyle,andLeKeishaWeimerskirch

EDUC416

Uranus

SaturnJupiter

JovianPlanets

Neptune

TheSolarSystem

Earth

Venus

TerrestrialPlanets

Mars

Mercury

AsteroidsandComets

AsteroidBelt

OortBelt

KuiperBelt

Constellations

TheSun

Neptune’sMoons

Earth’sMoon

Mars’sMoons

Jupiter’sMoons

Uranus’sMoons

Saturn’sMoons

Moons/Satellites

Stars

ShootingStars

BackgroundInformation:WhatareTerrestrialPlanets? Therearefourterrestrialplanets.TheyareMars,Mercury,Venus,andEarth.Theterrestrialplantsmakeuptheinnersolarsystembecausetheyarethefourclosestplanetstothesun.“Theyareallcomposedmostlyofrockandheavymetals.Theseplanetshaveacoremadeofheavymetalsthatismostlyiron;thecoreissurroundedbyamantleofsilicaterock”(Cessna,2010).Alloftheseplantssharemanycommonphysicalfeatures.Someofthesefeaturesinclude“…volcanoes,canyons,mountains,andcraters”(Cessna,2010).Anothercommonfeatureoftheterrestrialplanetsistherelackofmoons.“MercuryandVenushavenonewhileEarthhasone.Marshastwosmallmoons”(Cessna,2010).TheseplanetsalsohavenoringaroundthemliketheJovianPlanets.

Marsisreferredtoasthe“redplanet”becausethesurfaceisred.Marsisoneoftheplanetsthatdohavemoons.“Marshastwomoons,theirnamesareDeimosandPhobo”(Kidsastronomy,2011).Marsisthefarthestplanetawayfromthesunintheinnersolarsystemoralsoknownasthefourthplanetfromthesun.ManyscientistsstudyMarsbecauseofitslikenessofEarth.KidsAstronomy,2011states:

“EvidencesuggeststhatMarsoncehadrivers,streams,lakes,andevenanocean.AsMars'atmosphereslowlydepletedintoouterspace,thesurfacewaterbegantopermanentlyevaporate.TodaytheonlywateronMarsineitherfrozeninthepolarcapsorunderground.”Mercuryistheclosestplanettothesunoutofallofthem.Mercuryisalso

closetotheearth.Itissoclosethatyoucanseeit.“ItisvisibletoobserversonEarthinthelateeveningorearlymorningsky”(Kidsastronomy,2011).Mercuryisalsoknownasthemorningstarbecauseit“shinesbrightlyintheearlymorningjustbeforethesunrises”(Kidsastronomy,2011).IfyouwerelookingatMercury,itappearstobegreyincolor.Mercuryisoneoftheplanetsintheinnersolarsystemthatdoesnothaveanymoons.Likeallplants,cometsandasteroidshitMercury,butwithMercurythedentsnevergoaway“BecauseMercury'scrustissothickandhard,novolcanicactivitycanmakeitswaythroughtothesurfaceoftheplanet.Sincethissurfacevolcanicactivitycannothappen,Mercurywillforeverretainitsscars”(Kidsastronomy,2011).

Venusisthesecondclosestplanettothesun.VenusisknownasEarth’ssisterplanetbecausetheyareverysimilar.KidsAstronomy(2011)states:

“Itisalmostidenticalinsize,chemistry,gravityanddensityastheEarth.Inotherwords,VenusismadeupofalmosttheexactsametypesofmaterialsastheEarthandinaboutthesameamounts.Venushasvolcanoes,mountainsandsand,justlikeEarth.”

TheonlydifferencebetweentheEarthandVenusisthatVenuscannotsupporthumanlife.Venusistheotherplanetintheinnersolarsystemthatdoesnothaveanymoons.Venusisoneoftheclosestplanetstoearth.Itissoclosethat“itappearsasthebrightestplanetinthenightsky”(Kidsastronomy,2011).WhenlookingatVenus,itappearstobealightyellowcolor. Earthisthethirdplanetfromthesun.Apersoncannotactuallyseetheearthbecauseweareonit.Ifyoucouldseeitorhaveseenpicturesofit,earthisabluecolor(water)withwhite(clouds)andbrown/green(continents).Theearthisthebiggestofalloftheterrestrialplanets.Earthis30percentlandand70percentwater.Earthistheonlyplanetthathaswaterinliquidformonit.Waterinliquidformisimportantbecausehumansneedwaterinordertosurvive.Theearthhasonemoon.“ItsnameisLuna”(Kidsastronomy,2011).Themoonservesasashieldtoprotectusfromasteroidsandcomets.Earthistheonlyplanetthatweknowof,thathashumanslivingontheplanet.“TheEarth'stemperature,weather,atmosphereandmanyotherfactorsarejustrighttokeepusalive”(Kid’sastronomy,2011).WhatareJovianplanets? “Jovianplanetsarealsoknownasgasgiants”(Cessna,2009).Thesefourplanets:Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune,arethefourlargestandouter‐mostplanetsofthesolarsystem.ThenameJovianoriginatedfromJupiterbymeaningJupiter‐like.Theyarelargemassesofgascontainingasomewhatrockycore.ThemostprevalentgasesinJovianplanetsatmospheresareheliumandhydrogen.Itisnearlyimpossibletodetermineexactlywhatthecoreismadeoforwhereitislocatedduetotheextremetemperatures,butitisbelievedtobemadeofheavyliquidcompoundslikenickel.EachofthesefourJovianplanetshavedozensofmoonsorsatellites(Cessna,2009). JupiterisoftenreferredtoastheprototypeforJovianplanets,andisalsothelargestplanetinthesolarsystem.Itsbrightnesscanbeviewedfromearthwiththenakedeye.AlthoughJupiterisnotknownforbeautifulrings,it,likeallotherJovianplanets,hasveryfaintones.NotonlyisJupiterthelargestoftheplanets,italsohasthemostmoons,63(Cessna,2009).

Saturnisthenextlargestplanetinthesolarsystemandisknowforitshighlyvisible,largerings.Allegedly,thefirstpersontospotSaturn’sringswasGalileousingatelescope.Saturnhas61moons,butonly52ofthemhavebeennamed(Cessna,2009).

Thenexttwogasgiantsintheatmospherearethe“icegiants.”Theseplanets

containsignificantlyhigherlevelsofmethaneandammonia.Uranuswasonceconfusedasastarbecauseofitsdimnessandsloworbit,butWilliamHerscheldeclareditaplanetin1781.AdistinguishingfeatureofUranusisitsextremetilt.Uranussitsonitssidewitha97.77‐degreetilt.Neptune’sdistinguishingfeatureis

itsbrightbluecolorwhichcanbeexplainedbythehighlevelsofammonia.IntheVoyagersmissionin1989,theydiscoveredthatittoo,hasadifficulttoseering(Cessna,2009).

Whatarestars? Starsarelargeobjectsinspacethatproducelight.Becausestarsarelocatedsofarfromearth,ittakesusyearsbeforeweseetheirlight,andtheyseemtotwinklebecauseoftheirmovementovertime.Ourgalaxycontainsover100billionstarsthatcanoftenformshapesandpatterns.whichareknowasconstellations.Certainconstellationscanonlybeseenduringcertaintimesoftheyear,notbecausetheyaremoving,butbecausetheearthisrotatingandorbiting. Somestarsaremadeofsubatomicparticlescreatingaverydensestar,butmostaremadeofgasesandagas‐likesubstancecalledplasma(Globio,2011).Whenstarsarefirstformedincloudsandgases,theyarecallednebulas.Theybeginspinningandasthehydrogenheatsup,theybecomeprotostars.Theseprotostarscannotbeseenonearthbecausetheylackheatandlight.Theydonotbecomestarsuntiltheyspinenoughtoreachahighenoughtemperatureduetonuclearfusion.Thesurfacetemperatureofastardeterminesitscolorandbrightness.Thehotteststarsareblueandthecoolestvisiblestarsarered. Oursunisastarthatfallsrightinthemiddle.Thesunisthecloseststartotheearthanditprovidesheattousthatkeepseverythingliving.Itisnotextremelylarge,small,oldoryoung.Theoutermostlayers,orthesun’satmosphere,canbedirectlyobserved.Theelementsthatearthcontainsareverysimilartothoseofthesun,butatamuchcoolertemperature.Becauseofthesunsextremeheat,theseelementsarefoundinthegaseousstate(Lochner,2010). Becauseofthesunsextremeheat,itcausesthesolarwind.Thesolarwindisastreamofchargedparticlesthatflowextremelyfast.Thisisaconsequenceoftheextremeenergycontainedinthecoronaorcore.Thisextremeamountofenergymakesitimpossibleforthecoronatobegravitationallyboundtothesun,itself(Lochner,2010).Whataresatellites?

Asatelliteis“anyobject,man‐madeornatural,thatorbitsanotherbody.”Mostcommonlysatellitesarenaturallyoccurringandrevolvearoundaplanet.Theyarealsocalledmoons.Satellitescanalsobeman‐made.Theseobjectsarelaunchedintospaceandorbitbody’srangingfromtheEarth,othermoons,thesun,andmanyotherobjectsinspace.Theseincludesatellitesusedforweatherandcommunication(Greene,2011).

Themajorityofourplanetshavemoon.MercuryandVenusarethetwo

planetsinoursolarsystemthatdonothavemoons.Ourplanet,Earth,onlyhasonemoon.ThismooniscalledLuna.EachmonthLunahasafullmoonnameaswell.Thesecanbeseenintheattachedchart(BlueMooseWebworks,2009). Therearenootherplanetswithjustonemoon.Marshastwomoons,PhobosandDeimos.Neptunehasthesmallestnumberofmoonsoftheremainingplanets.Ithas13moons.FiveofthemoonsareunnamedandtheothersarenamedTriton,Nereid,Naiad,Thalassa,Despina,Larissa,Proteus,andGalatea(BlueMooseWebworks,2009). Jupiter,Saturn,andUranusallhavealargenumberofmoons.Uranushas27moons,6ofwhichareunnamed.Saturnhas61moonsandJupiterhas63moons.Notallofthemoonsaresphericalinshapeinthesethreeplanets(BlueMooseWebworks,2009).Whatareasteroidsandcomets? Anotherbodyinthesolarsystemiscalledanasteroid.Asteroidsareminorplanetsthataremadefromtheremainingmaterialinouterspace.Theyaresmall,rockybodies.Inoursolarsystemthereareover250,000asteroids.Therearethreecategoriestoclassifyasteroids.TheyareC‐type,whichareverystonyanddark,S‐type,whicharemoderatelybrightandcontainmetal,andM‐type,whicharelargeandhavemetalliccores.(BlueMooseWebworks) Asteroidsaregroupedaccordingtowheretheyorbit.Themostcommongroupiscalledtheasteroidbelt.BetweenMarsandJupiterthereisalargebeltofasteroidsthatis2‐4AU’slong.AnAU(astronomicalunit)isequivalenttothedistancefromtheearthtothesun(Greene,2011), Cometsareanotherbodythatcanbefoundinouterspace.Sometimestheyarecalleddirtysnowballsoricymudballs.Theycontainicefromfrozenwaterandgasesanddustanddebristhatdidnotgetusedtocreateaplanet.Cometsareusuallyinvisible,unlesstheyareclosetothesun.Theyareusuallyeasiertoseeatsunriseorsunset.(Arnett,2010), TheKuiperbeltislocatedpastNeptuneandisabout30to50AU’sfromthesun.Itisshapedlikeadiscandisthesourceofmanycomets.CurrentlytherearenineknownobjectsthatareorbitingbetweenJupiterandNeptuneinthisKupierbelt.TheobjectsinthebeltaresmallandicyandareverysimilartoPluto.Theobjectsinthisbeltaretypicallyredincolor.Besidesthenineknownobjects,thereareover35,000objectsintheKupierBeltthataregreaterthan100kmindiameter(Arnett,2010).

TheOortCloudisalsoacommonlyknownobjectinouterspace.In1950JanOortnoticedthatcometsdonotcomefromaspecificdirectionandthereisalargegroupofthemthatlieataround50,00AU.Hedecidedthatcometslieinacloudintheoutsideofthesolarsystem.Herehebelievedthatasmanyasatrillioncometsreside.ThecometsinsidetheOortCloudaresosmallandsofarfromtheEarthsowehavenoevidencethattheyactuallyexist(Arnett,2010).Full Moon Name Month

Wolf Moon January

Snow Moon February

Worm Moon March

Pink Moon April

Flower Moon May

Strawberry Moon June

Buck Moon July

Sturgeon Moon August

Harvest Moon September

Hunter's Moon October

Beaver Moon November

Cold Moon December

(Arnett,2010)

Concepts:

1. Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.

2. Therearetwotypesofplanets,JovianandTerrestrial.3. Terrestrialplanetsarethe“rocky”planetsandarelocatedclosesttothesun:

Mercury,Venus,EarthandMars.4. Jovianplanetsarethe“gassy”planetsandarelocatedfurthestfromthesun:

Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.5. Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.6. Thesunisthecenteroftheuniverse.7. TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpastthe

Jovianplanets.8. TheasteroidbeltcontainsasteroidsandislocatedbetweentheTerrestrial

andJovianplanets.9. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.10. Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.

ThemeGoals:

1. Toenhancechildren’sknowledgeabouttheSolarSystem.2. TounderstandthedifferencebetweenJovianandTerrestrialplanets.3. Toincreaseknowledgeaboutwheretheplanetsarelocated.4. Tobroadenchildren’sawarenessofthetypesofstarsandconstellations.5. Tounderstandthedifferencebetweenasteroidsandcomets.6. Topromoteawarenessofmoonsandsatellites.7. Tobroadenchildren’sawarenessofwhatastronautsdo.

Vocabulary:SolarSystem:ThesuntogetherwithalltheplanetsandotherbodiesthatrevolvearounditTerrestrialPlanets:Thefoursmallestplanetsthatarelocatedclosesttothesun.Theseinclude:Mercury,Venus,EarthandMars.JovianPlanets:Thefourlargestplanetsthataremadeofmostlygasandlocatedfurthestfromthesun.Theseinclude:Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.Satellite:AnaturalbodythatrevolvesaroundaplanetStar:Alarge,self‐luminousbodyintheskyConstellation:Variousgroupsofstarsthatformpatternsorshapes.Sun:Averylargestarthatisthecenteroftheuniverse.Asteroid:Smallbodiesthatorbitaroundthesun,mostlybetweenMarsandJupiter.Comet:Abodymadeofdustandgasthatmovesaboutthesun.Galaxy:Largesystemofstarsheldtogetherbymutualgravitation

ActivitiesKeyedtoConcepts:

11. Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.• ArtLesson1:PaintthePlanets• FingerPlay1:TenAstronauts• Non‐bookStory1:WhatistheSun?• Music2:PlanetSong• FieldTrip/Walk1:GoingtothePlanetarium• HomeSchoolConnection1:FamilyNightattheObservatory• IntroductoryActivity:2• Music3:PlanetsintheSolarSystem• Non‐bookStory2:TheMagicSchoolBusLostintheSolarSystem• Snack2:SolarSystemFruit• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium• IntroductoryActivity3:PlanetBalls• MathLesson3:EightPlanets• GroupGame3:PintheEarthontheSolarSystem• ArtLesson3:PlanetPiePrints• Music6:AstronautSong• Non‐BookStory3:TheThreeAstronauts

12. Therearetwotypesofplanets,JovianandTerrestrial.

• FieldTrip/Walk1:GoingtothePlanetarium• HomeSchoolConnection1:FamilyNightattheObservatory• IntroductoryActivity:2• LargeGroup/CircleTime2• Non‐bookStory2:TheMagicSchoolBusLostintheSolarSystem• ResourcePerson2:Astronomer/Scientist• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium• IntroductoryActivity3:PlanetBalls• ResourcePerson3:Geologist

13. Terrestrialplanetsarethe“rocky”planetsandarelocatedclosesttothesun:

Mercury,Venus,EarthandMars.• FieldTrip/Walk1:GoingtothePlanetarium• ResourcePerson1:WorkerfromtheObservatory• HomeSchoolConnection1:FamilyNightattheObservatory• MathLesson2:PatternGame• LargeGroup/CircleTime2• Non‐bookStory2:TheMagicSchoolBusLostintheSolarSystem• ResourcePerson2:Astronomer/Scientist• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium• ResourcePerson3:Geologist

14. Jovianplanetsarethe“gassy”planetsandarelocatedfurthestfromthesun:Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.• FieldTrip/Walk1:GoingtothePlanetarium• ResourcePerson1:WorkerfromtheObservatory• HomeSchoolConnection1:FamilyNightattheObservatory• MathLesson2:PatternGame• LargeGroup/CircleTime2• Non‐bookStory2:TheMagicSchoolBusLostintheSolarSystem• ResourcePerson2:Astronomer/Scientist• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium

15. Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.

• MathLesson1:CounttheStars• FineMotorSkills:MakingaNightSky• FingerPlay2:Stars• Snack1:EdibleStars• Attendance/CheckIn1:Sun/MoonWheel• IntroductoryActivity1:DecoratingtheRoom• FieldTrip/Walk1:GoingtothePlanetarium• ResourcePerson1:WorkerfromtheObservatory• HomeSchoolConnection1:FamilyNightattheObservatory• Attendance/CheckIn2:StarBulletinBoard• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium• Music5:Twinkle,Twinkle,TwinkleLittleStar• Music6:AstronautSong• HomeSchoolConnection3:FindtheBigDipper

16. Thesunisthecenteroftheuniverse.

• Non‐bookStory1:WhatistheSun?• FieldTrip/Walk1:GoingtothePlanetarium• ResourcePerson1:WorkerfromtheObservatory• HomeSchoolConnection1:FamilyNightattheObservatory• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium• IntroductoryActivity3:PlanetBalls• GroupGame3:PintheEarthontheSolarSystem

17. TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpastthe

Jovianplanets.• ScienceLesson1:What’stheWeight?• GroupGame1:Comet,Comet,Asteroid• IntroductoryActivity1:DecoratingtheRoom• FieldTrip/Walk1:GoingtothePlanetarium• ResourcePerson1:WorkerfromtheObservatory• HomeSchoolConnection1:FamilyNightattheObservatory• ScienceLesson2:MakingComets• GrossMotorLesson:AsteroidBelt

• FieldTrip2:Space/AirMuseum• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium• LargeGroup3:AsteroidToss• ResourcePerson3:Geologist

18. TheasteroidbeltcontainsasteroidsandislocatedbetweentheTerrestrial

andJovianplanets.• ScienceLesson1:What’stheWeight?• GroupGame1:Comet,Comet,Asteroid• IntroductoryActivity1:DecoratingtheRoom• FieldTrip/Walk1:GoingtothePlanetarium• ResourcePerson1:WorkerfromtheObservatory• HomeSchoolConnection1:FamilyNightattheObservatory• GrossMotorLesson:AsteroidBelt• FieldTrip2:Space/AirMuseum• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium• LargeGroup3:AsteroidToss• ResourcePerson3:Geologist

19. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.

• FineMotorSkills:MakingaNightSky• FingerPlay2:Stars• Non‐bookStory1:WhatistheSun?• Music1:I’maLittleAstronaut• Attendance/CheckIn1:Sun/MoonWheel• FieldTrip/Walk1:GoingtothePlanetarium• ResourcePerson1:WorkerfromtheObservatory• HomeSchoolConnection1:FamilyNightattheObservatory• Music4:10987654321BlastOff• FingerPlay3:FiveLittleAliens• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium• FingerPlay6:I’maLittleRocket• Fieldtrip/Walk3:VirtualTriptotheMoon

20. Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.

• LargeGroup1:IWanttobeanAstronaut• FingerPlay1:TenAstronauts• Music1:I’maLittleAstronaut• GroupGame2:BlastOff• ArtLesson2:RecycledRocketShip• FingerPlay4:FiveLittleAstronauts• DramaticPlay1:AstronautCostume• FieldTrip2:Space/AirMuseum• HomeSchoolConnection2:In‐classPlanetarium• ScienceLesson3:DietCokeRocket• Music6:AstronautSong

• FingerPlay5:Countdown• Non‐BookStory3:TheThreeAstronauts• DramaticPlay2:SpaceShip• Attendance/CheckIn3:LittleAstronauts• Snack3:SpaceFood

Title:DecoratetheRoomConceptsFostered:

5.Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.7. TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpastthe


andJovianplanets.LearningObjective:

• Giventhedecoratingactivitythepreschoolstudentswillcreateonestar,oneasteroid,andonecomet.

EarlyChildhoodIndicationofProgress: PhysicalandMotorDevelopment FineMotorDevelopment

3.Exploreandexperimentwithavarietyoftools(e.g.spoons,crayons,paintbrushes,scissors,keyboards)p.52

Materials:• Whitepaper• Pencil• Scissors• Crayons• AsteroidCutOut• StarCutOut• CometCutOut• CometsandAsteroidsbyAmandaDavis

TeacherPreparation:• Beforethelesson,theteacherneedstogatherallofthematerialsandput

thematthetablethatwillbeusedformakingthestars,comets,andasteroids.

Introduction:• “Goodmorningboysandgirls.Todaywearegoingtomoveintoanewtopic,

wearegoingtotalkaboutthesolarsystem.Butbeforewestarttolearnaboutthesolarsystem,weneedtomakeourroomlooklikethesolarsystem.”

Procedure:1. Bringtwochildrenovertothetable.2. Explain,“TodayIwanteachofyoutomakeonestar,onecomet,andone

asteroidthatwewillplaceinourclassroom.Ialreadyhavealloftheplanetsmadeandthesun.Wewillplacealloftheseitemsaroundtheroom.”

3. Explain,“Beforewestarttomakethem,IamgoingtoshowyoupicturesofcometsandasteroidsoutofthebookCometsandAsteroids.”Showthechildrenthepicturesinthebook.

4. Explain,“GreatnowIhaveshapesofacomet,asteroid,andstarthatIwantyoutotraceonyourpaper.”Allowtimeforthestudentstocompletethis.

5. Explain,“NowIwantyoutocoloreachofyoushapessotheylookliketheyarereally.”Allowtimeforstudentstocompletethis.

6. Explain,“Alright,nowIwantyoutocuttheshapesoutandwriteyournameoftheback.”Allowtimeforstudentstocompletethis.**

7. Allowenoughtimesothatallthestudentscancompletethis.ClosureandTransition:

• “Greatjobwiththisactivity.TomorrowwhenyoucometoclassIwillhavealloftheplanets,thesun,yourstars,asteroids,andcometsputupintheroom.NowIneedyoutogotooneoftheotheractivitiesthatisgoingonintheroomrightnow.”

Source:• Cottrell,M.Original

IntroductoryActivityConceptsfostered:


22. Therearetwotypesofplanets,JovianandTerrestrial.LearningObjective:Givetheintroductorylesson,preschoolstudentswilllisttheplanetsinoursolarsystem.EarlyChildhoodIndicatorsofProgress:

1. Domain:LanguageandLiteracyDevelopment(III)2. DomainComponent:Listening3. IndicatorofProgress:2.Listenwithunderstandingtostories,directions,

andconversations4. Page:30

MaterialsNeeded:

• ModeloftheSolarSystem• ThePlanetsinourSolarSystembyFranklynM.Branley

Introduction:

1. Showthestudentsamodelofthesolarsystem2. Askthestudentswhattheyknowaboutoursolarsystemandifanyonecan

nametheplanetsProcedure:

1. ReadthebookThePlanetsinourSolarSystembyFranklyM.Branley2. *Gobacktothemodelandhavethechildrenhelpyouidentifywhat

eachplanetis3. *Havethestudentslisttheplanetsandanycharacteristicsthey

rememberaboutthedifferentplanetsClosureandTransition:

1. Tellthestudentsthatwewillbestudyingtheplanetsinoursolarsystemoverthenextcoupleofweeks

2. Havethestudentsputtheirthingsawayandgetreadyforthenextlesson

SourceOriginal:AngieDoyle

TITLEOFACTIVITY:PlanetBallsCONCEPTSFOSTERED:1.Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune2.Therearetwotypesofplanets,JovianandTerrestrial6.ThesunisthecenteroftheuniverseLEARNINGOBJECTIVE:GiventhePlanetBallsactivity,thestudentswilldiscovertheeightplanetsinthesolarsystemandthesun.EARLYCHILDHOODINDICATORSOFPROGRESS:DomainVI:PhysicalandMotorDevelopment‐GrossMotorDevelopment1:Developlargemusclecontrolandcoordination(Pg.50)DomainV:CognitiveDevelopment‐ScientificThinkingandProblem‐Solving2:Identifyand/ordescribeobjectsbyphysicalcharacteristics.MATERIALSNEEDED:Jumboyellow/orangeball(sun)Nerfsaucerball(BallwithaFrisbeearoundit‐Saturn)Blue&greenball(Earth)Tennisball(Venus)Softball(Uranus)Basketball(Jupiter)Redpoolball(Mars)Bluekickball(Neptune)Wiffleball(Mercury)Bouncyball(Pluto)5+golfballs(stars)‐EnoughgolfballssoeachstudenthasaballintheirhandsINTRODUCTION:Theteacherwillaskthestudentswhatouterspaceisandiftheyknowanythingaboutit.Theteacherwillthenexplainthatwewillbespendingthewholeweeklearningaboutouterspace.PROCEDURE:1.Thestudentswillstandinacirclewithoneballintheirhands.2.Wewillsing“TwinkleTwinkle”(Traditional)whilethestudentspasstheirballstothepersonnexttothem.3.Whenwearedonewiththesongthestudentswillkeeptheballintheirhands.Theteacherwillaskifthestudentsknowofanyobjectsthatarefoundinouterspace.*Whentheyanswerwithanyoftheplanets,stars,orthesuntheteacherwillshareafactaboutthatspacebodyandplaceitinthemiddleofthecircle,withallobjectsorbitingthesuncorrectly.(Planetsclosestfurthestfromthesun:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,Uranus,Neptune,Pluto(optional)).*4.Discussthedistancefromthesuntheplanetsare(whicharecloseandwhicharefaraway),thecolorsoftheplanets,andthesizeoftheplanets.

CLOSUREANDTRANSITION:Toendthelesson,thestudentswillbeaskedtoreturntheirballtothebasketandshareonefacttheylearnedaboutouterspace.Theywillthenbedismissedtowashtheirhands.SOURCE:Adaptedfrom‐Cowling,T.(2010).TeachingtheSolarSystemtoPreschoolers.InBrightHub.

Retrievedfromhttp://www.brighthub.com/education/early‐childhood/articles/64291.aspx

Title:CounttheStarsConceptsFostered:

5. Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.LearningObjective:

• Giventhestarsthepreschoolstudentsplacetherightnumberofstarsinthecans.

EarlyChildhoodIndicationsofProgress:CognitiveDevelopmentMathematicalandLogicalThinking2.Demonstrateunderstandingofone‐to‐onecorrespondencebetweenobjectsandnumbers.p.44

Materials:• 70starcutouts• 11smalltincans• Scissors• Constructionpaper• Marker• Clearpackingtape• Smallcontainerwithalid

TeacherPreparation:• Printoutallofthestarsincolor.Cutandlaminateallofthestars.Placethe

starsinthecontainer(Thereshouldbe25extrastarsincasesomegetlost)• Washanddryallofthetincans.• Cutout11stripsofconstructionpaper.Writethenumber0‐10oneachsetof

strips.Thenplaceonestriponeachcanandputthetapeoverit.• Takethemarkeranddrawthecorrectamountofdotsonthebottomofeach

cansothestudentscanselfcorrectwhiledoingtheactivity.• Atthetable,beforetheactivity.Setthecanoutinorderfrom0‐10.Thenput

thecontainerofstarsout,nexttothecans.Introduction

• “Goodmorningboysandgirls.Atnightwhenyoulookinthesky,youseehundredsofstars.Therearesomanythatyoucouldspendallnighttryingtocountthem.Buttodaywearegoingtotryingtocountsomeofthesestars.”

Procedure1. Bringtwochildrenovertotheactivityatatime.2. Oncethechildrenarethereexplaintothem“Infrontofyoutherearecans

thatarelabeledwithnumbers.Iwantyoutotakethestarsandplacethestarsinthecans.Youneedtolookatthenumberontheoutsideofthatcanandplacethatmanystarsinthatcan.Onceyouhaveplacedthestarsinthecan,youcanlookatthebottomofthecanstoseeifyouputthecorrectnumberofstarsinthecan.”

3. Allowstudentsupto5minutestofinishtheactivity.4. Whenthestudentsarefinishedplacethestarsinthecansexplain,“I

wantyoutogothroughthecans.Pleasesaythenumberontheoutsideofthecanandthentakeoutthestarsandcountthem.”*Iftheyhavethe

incorrectnumberofstarsinacan,havethemcountoutthatmanystarswiththeextras.

5. Oncethestudenthascountedallofthestars,havethehelpyouputthembackintothecontainerandletthemmoveontothenextactivity.

6. Allowtimesothateverystudentcandosteps1‐5.ClosureandTransition:

• Explain“Youdidagreatjobcountingthestarstoday.Tonightbeforeyougotobedtryandlookupatthenightskyandseehowmanystarsyoucancount.Nowyouaregoingtogopickanotheractivitythatisgoingonintheclassroom.”

Source:• Warner,P.(2011).MarvelousMathematics.1‐17

Title:PatternGameConceptsfostered:

3. Terrestrialplanetsarethe“rocky”planetsandarelocatedclosesttothesun:Mercury,Venus,EarthandMars.

4. Jovianplanetsarethe“gassy”planetsandarelocatedfurthestfromthesun:Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.

LearningObjective:Giventhepatterngamelesson,thepreschoolstudentswillcompletepatternsontheirown.EarlyChildhoodIndicatorsofProgress:

1. Domain:Cognitive(v)2. DomainComponent:Mathematicalandlogicalthinking3. IndicatorofProgress:6.Recognizeandduplicatesimplepatterns4. Page:44

MaterialsNeeded:

• Cutoutsolarsystempieces• Laminatesolarsystempieces• Filefolderwithpatternsstarted• Patternsinreallifepictures

Introduction:

1. ShowstudentspicturesofJovianandTerrestrialplanets2. Discussthedifferencesofthetwotypesofplanetswiththestudents3. RefertothemodelandshowthemwhatplanetsareJovianandwhatoneare

Terrestrial

Procedure:

1. Takeoutthesolarsystempiecesandmakeasimplepatternusingthepiecesonthetablewiththestudents.

2. AskthestudentswhatamImaking?3. Makemultiplepatternsforthestudentsuntiltheyallunderstandwhatis

beingdone.4. Openthefilefoldergameanddirectstudentsattentiontothefirstpattern.

(Youmightwanttocoveruptheotherpatternswhilelookingatjustthefirstone)

5. *Havethestudentshelpcompletethefirstpattern6. *Continuecompletingallthepatternsinsidethefilefoldergame,

encouragingandpraisingthestudentsasyougo.7. Ifthestudentsunderstandtheconceptofpatterns,continueon.Ifnot,keep

reviewingsimplepatterns.8. Next,havethestudentscreatetheirownpatterns.

9. Giveeachchild2‐3differentpiecesonly(example:4earthpiecesand4Jupiterpieces)

10. *Havestudentsdemonstratetheirknowledgebycreatingtheirownpatternswiththelaminatedpiecesonthetableandthenshowtherestofthegroup.Therestofthegroupwilltrytoaddontotheoriginalpattern.

ClosureandTransition:


SourceOriginal:AngieDoylePatternPieces:

Mercury Venus Earth

Mars Jupiter Saturn

TITLEOFACTIVITY:EightPlanetsCONCEPTSFOSTERED:1.Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptuneLEARNINGOBJECTIVE:GiventheEightPlanetsactivity,thestudentswillshowtheeightplanetsinorderfromsmallesttolargestandcountthem.EARLYCHILDHOODINDICATORSOFPROGRESS:DomainV:CognitiveDevelopment‐MathematicalandLogicalThinking3:Demonstrateabilitytocountinsequence(Pg.44)DomainV:CognitiveDevelopment‐ScientificThinkingandProblem‐Solving8:Orderorsequenceseveralobjectsonthebasisofonecharacteristic(Pg.44)MATERIALSNEEDED:PlanetImageCards(PrintedandLaminated)‐SeefollowingpagesINTRODUCTION:Theteacherwillexplainatlargegroup/circletimethatatthemathtabletherewillbecardswithimagesoftheplanetsonthemthattheywillbeaskedtoputinorder.PROCEDURE:

1. 1‐3studentswillbeallowedtogotothemathtableatonetime.2. *Thestudent(s)willworkonputtingtheplanetsinorderfromsmallest

tolargest.3. Aftertheplanetcardsareinorderfromsmallesttolargest,the

student(s)willpointtoeachcardandcounttime.*CLOSUREANDTRANSITION:Toendthelesson,thestudentswillbeaskedtogrouptheplanetstogetherhowevertheywouldlike.Theywillbeinformallyassessedbyteacherobservationonhowtheyclassifytheobjects.Thestudentsmayleaveastheypleasebecausethisactivitywillbedoneinacenter/station.SOURCE:Adaptedfrom‐FirstSchool.(2010).PlanetsSpaceDayTheme.InFirstSchool.Retrievedfrom

http://www.first‐school.ws/activities/occasions/spaceday.htm

Title:What’stheWeight?ConceptsFostered:

7. TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpasttheJovianplanets.

8. TheasteroidbeltcontainsasteroidsandislocatedbetweentheTerrestrialandJovianplanets.

LearningObjective:• Giventherockactivitythepreschoolstudentswilluseascaletohelpthem

decidewhichrocksareheavier.EarlyChildhoodIndicationofProgress:

CognitiveDevelopment ScientificThinkingandProblemSolving 6.Usetoolsforinvestigationoftheenvironment.p.46Materials:

• 8varioussizesofrocks• Balancescale• Marker• 2oftheexactsamewoodenblocks• 2blocksofdifferentsizes

TeacherPreparation:• Beforetheactivity,theteacherneedstogatherallofthematerialsandplace

themonthetable.• Takethemarkerandputanumberoneachrock,1‐8.

Introduction:• “Goodmorningboysandgirls.LastweekIgotacallfromascientistwho

needsourhelp.Hetoldmethathefoundsomeasteroidsandheneedsustofigureoutwhichonesareheavierthantheothers.“

Procedure:1. Haveonestudentcometothetableatatime.2. Explain,“Nowthescientistcouldnotsendustheactualasteroids,buthehas

sentusexactmodelsofthem.SinceyouhavenotworkedwiththistypeofscaleyetIwillshowyouhowtoworkit.”

3. Placetheoneofthesamesizedblocksoneachendofthescale.Explain,“Asyoucansee,theseblocksarethesame.Becausetheyarethesame,thereweightisalsothesamesothescalestaysbalanced.”

4. Takethoseblocksoffandputoneofthedifferentsizedblocksoneachendofthescale.Explain,“Asyoucansee,theseblocksaredifferentsizes.Becausetheyarenotthesameweight,thescaleisnotbalanced.Theblockthatisthelightestishigherandtheblockthatisheavierislower.”

5. Explain,”Nowyouaregoingtodothesamethingwiththerocks.Iwantyoutograbtherockslabeled1and2.Thenputonerockoneachside.Oncetherocksarebothonthere,figureoutwhichoneweightsmoreandwhichoneweightsless.Thenputtherockthatweightsmoreontheleftsideofthetableandtherockthatweightslessontherightsideof

thetable.Repeatthiswithallofthesetsofrocks”Allowtimeofstudentstofinish.**

6. Allowenoughtimesothatallstudentscandosteps1‐5.ClosureandTransition:

• “Thanksomuchforyourhelptoday,Iwillcallthescientisttonightandtellhimwhatasteroidsaretheheaviestandlightest.Ineedyoutogotoanotheractivitythatishappeningintheroom.”

Source:Warren,J.Moonthemeactivities.Retrievedfrom

http://www.preschoolexpress.com/theme‐station10/moon‐june.shtml

Title:MakingCometsConceptsfostered:

7.TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpasttheJovianplanets.

LearningObjective:Giventhecometslesson,preschoolstudentswilldescribecharacteristicsofcomets.EarlyChildhoodIndicatorsofProgress:1.Domain:CognitiveDevelopment(V)

2. DomainComponent:Scientificthinkingandproblem‐solving3. IndicatorofProgress:2.Identifyand/ordescribeobjectsbyphysical

characteristics4. Page:46

MaterialsNeeded:

• Crushedice/snow• Dirt• Buckets• Trays• Freezer

Introduction:

1. ShowthestudentsapictureoftheKuiperBelt2. ExplainthatmanydifferentthingsmakeuptheKuiperBeltincludingcomets3. Askstudentswhatcometsare

Procedure:

1. Discussthatcometsaremadeofmainlyiceanddust/dirtfromtheouterspace

2. Tellthestudentstodaywewillbemakingourowncomets3. Showthempicturesofcometsanddiscussthattheyusuallyhavemoreice

thatdust/dirt4. Havestudentsmaketheirowncometswithice/snowanddirt5. Freezethecometsafterwards


1. *Havethestudentssharetheircometswiththeclass2. *Haveanotherdiscussionaskingchildrentodescribewhatcometsare

madeof3. Havethestudentsputtheirthingsawayandgetreadyforthenextlesson


TITLEOFACTIVITY:DietCokeRocketCONCEPTSFOSTERED:10.AstronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspaceLEARNINGOBJECTIVE:Giventherocketactivity,thelearnerwillpredictitwilllaunchofftheground.Giventherocketactivity,thelearnerwillquestionhowandwhytherocketworked.EARLYCHILDHOODINDICATORSOFPROGRESS:DomainII:ApproachestoLearning‐ChildrenShowProgressinCuriosity1:Showeagernessandasenseofwonderasalearner(Pg.20)DomainV:CognitiveDevelopment‐ScientificThinkingandProblem‐Solving3:Expresswonderaboutthenaturalworld(Pg.44)MATERIALSNEEDED:24ozDietCoke2‐LiterDietCoke1packofMentos‐Itmaybehelpfultotape4and8MentostogetherINTRODUCTION:Theteacherwillaskthestudentswhattypesoftransportationtoastronautsusetogettoouterspace.Theteacherwillaskifanyonehasseenarocketlaunch.PROCEDURE:

1. Thestudentswilllineupinastraightlinealongagrassyareaoutside.2. *Theteacherwillaskthestudentshowtheypredicttherocketwill

workandwhatwillhappenwhentheteacherputstheMentosintheDietCoke.*

3. TheteacherwilldropMentosintheDietCokeandstandbacksothestudentscanseetheblastoff.The24ozbottlewillbeusedfirst,andthenthisisrepeatedwiththe2‐Liter.

CLOSUREANDTRANSITION:Toendthelesson,theteacherwillaskifanyoneknowswhytherocketlaunched.TheteacherwillexplainthatitwasablastofenergythatwascreatedwhentheMentosmettheDietCoke.Theteacherwillaskifthereareanyquestions.Afteransweringthemthestudentswill“BlastOff”backinsideinastraightline,justlikearocket.SOURCE:Traditional

Title:Comet,Comet,AsteroidConceptsFostered:

7. TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpasttheJovianplanets.

8. TheasteroidbeltcontainsasteroidsandislocatedbetweentheTerrestrialandJovianplanets.

LearningObjective:• Giventhegamecomet,comet,asteroidthepreschoolstudentswillpickone

studentandtrytooutrunthatstudentaroundthecircle.EarlyChildhoodIndicationofProgress: PhysicalandMotorDevelopment GrossMotorDevelopment 2.Developbodystrength,balance,flexibility,andstaminaMaterials:

• NoMaterialsNeededTeacherPreparation:

• NoTeacherPreparationNeededIntroduction:

• “Goodafternoonboysandgirls.Todaywearegoingtoplayagame.Thisgameisawell‐knowngamethatwehaveactuallyplayedbefore.Theonlydifferenceisthatithastodowithasteroidsandcometssincewejusttalkedaboutthem.”

Procedure:1. Havethestudentssitinacircle.2. Explain,“Nowyouallknowthegameduck,duck,goose.Welltodaywe

aregoingtoplaycomet,comet,asteroid.Thisisthesameasduck,duck,gooseexceptinsteadofsayingduckorgooseyousaycometorasteroid.Ifyouareityoustillneedtotapeveryoneontheheadbutinsteadofsayingduckyousaycomet.Whenyouwanttopicksomeonetochaseyou,insteadofsayinggooseyousayasteroid.Thentheystillchaseyouuntiltheytagyouoryousitsafelyintheiroldspot.”

3. Theteachercanstartthegameoutandthechildrenpickoneanotherfromthereonout.**

4. Playthegamefor10‐15minutesoruntilthechildrenarenolongerinterested.

ClosureandTransition:• “Goodjobplayingcomet,comet,asteroid.Youalllookedlikeyouhadfun.

Nowthenexttimeyouandyourfriendsplayduck,duck,gooseIchallengeyoutoteachthemtoplayitthiswayinstead.Nowletsgowashourhandsandgetreadyforlunch.”

Source:• Adaptedfromthetraditionalgameduck,duck,goose.

itle:BlastOffConceptsfostered:10.Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.LearningObjective:GiventheSocialStudieslesson,preschoolstudentswilldiscusstherolesandcharacteristicsofastronauts.EarlyChildhoodIndicatorsofProgress:

1. Domain:ApproachestoLearning(III)2. DomainComponent:ImaginationandInvention3. IndicatorofProgress:3.Tryoutvariouspretendrolesinplayorwith

make‐believeobjects4. Page:24

MaterialsNeeded:

• Largeprintoutsofrocketso Musthaveenough“seats”foreachastronaut(Student)

• AstronautHandbookbyMeghanMcCarthy• Music

Introduction:

1. Askthestudentswhatastronautsareandwhattheydo2. ReadthestoryAstronautHandbookbyMeghanMcCarthy

Procedure/RulesandDirections:

1. Tellthestudentsthatwearegoingtopretendtobeastronautstoday2. Wewillbeplayingagamecalledblastoff3. Placethelargerocketprintoutsonthefloor4. Tellthestudentsthatwhenthemusicisplaying,theycanpretendtobeflying

around(onthecarpet)inouterspace5. Oncethemusicshutsoff,theymustquicklyreturntoarocketship6. Thereareonly2spots/seatsperrocketsothestudentmustfindanempty

seatwhenthemusicstopsClosureandTransition:

5. *Askthestudentswhattheirfavoritepartaboutbeinganastronautwas6. *Haveadiscussionwiththestudentsabouttherolesandcharacteristics

ofastronauts7. Havethestudentsputtheirthingsawayandgetreadyforthenextlesson

SourceDisneyAmazingMoms.(2010).Spacebirthdaypartytheme.Retrieved4/10,2011,fromhttp://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/party‐space‐birthday.htm

TITLEOFACTIVITY:PintheEarthontheSolarSystemCONCEPTSFOSTERED:1.Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune6.ThesunisthecenteroftheuniverseLEARNINGOBJECTIVE:GivenPintheEarthontheSolarSystem,thelearnerwillcommunicatewithapeerinlocatingthecorrectpositionfortheEarth.EARLYCHILDHOODINDICATORSOFPROGRESS:DomainI:SocialandEmotionalDevelopment‐SocialCompetenceandRelationships1:Interacteasilywithoneormorechildren(Pg.18)DomainIII:LanguageandLiteracyDevelopment‐Speaking4:Uselanguageforavarietyofpurposes(Pg.32)MATERIALSNEEDED:Aposterofthesolarsystem(oralargeimageofthesolarsystemprojectedontoamagneticwhiteboard)Cut‐outoftheEarthwithamagnetonthebackINTRODUCTION:TheteacherwillexplaintothestudentsthattheyaregoingtoworktogethertotrytoputtheEarthbacktothecorrectplaceinthesolarsystem.Allastronautsinouterspaceuseteamwork,sowearegoingtouseteamworkintheclassroom.PROCEDURE:

1. Thesolarsystemposterwillbetapedtoamagneticwhiteboardoranimageofthesolarsystemwillbeprojectedontoamagneticwhiteboard.

2. Thestudentswilltaketurnsbeingblindfolded.Oncestudentwillhavetheireyescovered,willspinintwocircles,andthenwillbeguidedbytheotherstudenttowalkuptotheboardandtoputtheEarthontopoftheEarththatisonthemagneticboard.

3. *Thestudent’spartnerwillusedirectionalwordstoleadthemascloseastheycantothecorrectlocation.*

4. ThestudentswilltaketurnsgettingachancetoattempttoplacetheEarthinthecorrectlocation.

CLOSUREANDTRANSITION:Toendthelesson,theteacherwillaskthestudentswhichwordswerethemosthelpfulingettingtheirpartnerclosesttothecorrectlocation.Todismissthestudentstothenextlocation,givethestudentsdirectionsonhowtogettothenextplacetheyaregoing,butdonotdisclosethelocation.SOURCE:Adaptedfrom‐Cowling,T.(2010).OuterSpaceGames.InBrightHub.Retrievedfrom

http://www.brighthub.com/education/early‐childhood/articles/95440.aspx

Title:PaintthePlanetsConceptsFostered:


LearningObjective:• Giventhepaintingactivitythepreschoolstudentswillcreateapainting

reflectingoneoftheeightplanets.EarlyChildhoodIndicationofProgress: CreativityandtheArts Responding 1.Showothersand/ortalkaboutwhattheyhavemadeordone.p.40Materials:

• Watercolorpaint• Bowls• Coffeefilters• Eyedroppers• Smocks• Marker• OurSolarSystembyAmandaDavis

TeacherPreparation:• Beforetheactivity,theteacherneedstogetthewatercolorreadyandput

eachcolorofpaintintoaseparatebowl.• Havealloftheothermaterialsplacedoutonthetable.

Introduction:• “Goodmorningboysandgirls.Todaywearegoingtotalkaboutsomeofthe

planets.Thereareeightplantsinoursolarsystem.Theyare:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.Forourartactivity,youallaregoingtogetthechancetotakeacloserlookattheseplanets,thenyouwillcreateapaintingofoneoftheplanets.”

Procedure:1. Bringtwostudentsovertothetabletwoatatime.2. Oncetheygettothetable,havethemputthesmockson.3. Explainwhileshowingpicturesoftheplanetsfromthebook,

ThisisapictureofMercury.Itistheclosestplanettothesun.ThisisapictureofVenus.IsknownasEarth’ssisterplanetbecausetheyarealmostthesamesize.ThisisapictureofEarth.Thisistheplanetthatweliveon.ThisisapictureofMars.Marsisknownastheredplanetbecauseitssurfaceisred.ThisisapictureofJupiter.Itisthelargestplanetinthesolarsystem.ThisisapictureofSaturn.Saturnisknownforitslargerings.ThisisapictureofUranus.Uranusisoneoftheicegiants.ThisisapictureofNeptune.Neptuneisknownforitsbrightbluecolor.”

4. Explaintothestudents,“Noweachofyouwillmakeapaintingofoneoftheplanets.Youwilleachgetacoffeefilter.Thenyouneedtowriteyourname

alongtheedgewiththemarker.”Allowtimeforstudentstowritetheirnameandassistthemifneeded.

5. Explaintothestudents,“Nowinfrontofyouisthebowlsofpaint.Ifyouwanttouseacolor,thenyouneedtograbtheeyedropperandfillitwiththepaint.Thenyoucanbringittoyourcoffeefilterandsqueezeoutasmallamountofthepaint.Onceyouhavefinishedwiththatcolor,puttheeyedropperbackandyoucanpickanothercolortouseifyouwant.”Allowtimeforstudentstocompletetheirplanet.

6. Afterthestudentshavefinishedtheirpainting,askthem,“Sowhichplanetdidyoumake?”

• StudentResponseswillvary.7. Allowenoughtimesothatallstudentscancompletethisactivity.

ClosureandTransition:• “Goodjobtoday,tomorrowwhentheydrywewillhangthemupinour

classroomandyouwillgetthechancetotelltheclasswhichpaintingisyoursandwhichplanetyoupainted.NowIneedyoutogotooneoftheotheractivitiesthatishappeningintheroom.”

Source:• Cox,K.SpaceTheme.Retrievedfromhttp://prekinders.com/space‐theme/

Title:RecycledRocketShipConceptsfostered:10.Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.LearningObjective:Giventheartlesson,preschoolstudentswillconstructarocketshipoutofrecycledmaterials.EarlyChildhoodIndicatorsofProgress:

1. Domain:CreativityandtheArts(IV)2. DomainComponent:Creating3. IndicatorofProgress:1.Useavarietyofmediaandmaterialsfor

explorationandcreativeexpression4. Page:38

MaterialsNeeded:

• Recycledmaterialso Popbottles,toiletpaperrolls,papertowelrolls,cardboard(cereal

boxes),etco Markers,crayons,coloredpencilso Glue

Introduction:

1. Reviewtherolesandcharacteristicsofastronauts2. Askthestudentshowastronautsgetaroundinspace

Procedure/RulesandDirections:

1. Talkaboutwhatrocketshipsareandwhattheylooklike2. Tellthestudentthatwearegoingtobemakingrocketshipsoutofrecycled

materials3. Showthestudentsanexampleofoneyoumadeorkeptfrompreviousyears4. Letthestudentscreatetheirrockethowevertheywouldlike


1. *Havethestudentssharetheirrocketshipswiththeclasswheneveryonehascompletedtheirs



TITLEOFACTIVITY:PlanetPiePrintsCONCEPTSFOSTERED:1.Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.LEARNINGOBJECTIVE:GiventhePlanetPiePrints,thelearnerwillcreatetheirownimageofaplanet.EARLYCHILDHOODINDICATORSOFPROGRESS:DomainIV:CreativityandtheArts‐Creating2:Participateinartandmusicexperiences(Pg.38)DomainVI:PhysicalandMotorDevelopment‐FineMotorDevelopment1:Developsmallmusclecontrolandcoordination(Pg.52)MATERIALSNEEDED:3+Metalcirclepie/cakepansPaintbrushesLargepaper(bigenoughforthefullpantofitontopof)MultiplecolorsofpaintINTRODUCTION:Theteacherwillexplaintothestudentsthatinouterspacetheplanetsalllookdifferentincolorandtexture.Todaytheywillmakeapaintingoftheirownplanet.PROCEDURE:

1. Thestudentswillputtheirpaintshirtsonandcometothetable.2. Eachstudentwillbeaskedtowritetheirnameontheirpaper.3. Eachstudentwillpaintthebottomofthepanwiththecolorsoftheirchoice

(thefewercolors,thebetter‐Twocolorsworkthebest).Theywillbeinstructedtoattempttonotmixthecolors

4. Oncethestudentpaintsthewholebottomofthepan,theywillflipitoverandpressitontotheirpaper(theteachermayneedtoassistwiththis).

5. *Slowlytheywillpeelthepanfromthepaperandseetheirplanet.*6. Theycannametheirplanetandhavetheteacherwriteitontheirpaperfor

them.

CLOSUREANDTRANSITION:Toendthelesson,theteacherwillcomparetheimagesoftheirplanetsandfindsimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweentheirplanets.Studentswillbedismissedandaskedtowashofftheirpanwithsoapandwater,dryit,andthenwashtheirownhandsforsnack.SOURCE:RhondaNorton‐RedeemerLutheranPreschool:Winona,MN

Title:MakingaNightSkyConceptsFostered:

9. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.5. Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.

LearningObjective:• Giventhenightskyactivitythepreschoolstudentswillcreateamoonandat

least3starstoplaceintheirnightsky.EarlyChildhoodIndicationofProgress: PhysicalandMotorDevelopment FineMotorDevelopment 1.Developsmallmusclecontrolandcoordinationp.52Materials:

• ConstructionPapero Yellowo Greyo Black

• Scissors• Glue• Pencil• StarCutOut• MoonCutout

TeacherPreparation:• Beforeclassstudentsbringallofthematerialstothetable.

Introduction:• “Goodafternoonboysandgirls.Aswetalkedabout,mostplanetshave

moons.Eventheearthhasamoon.Mostofyouhaveprobablyseenthemooninthenightsky.Youprobablyhavealsoseenthestarsinthenightsky.Welltodayeachofyouaregoingtogetthechancetomakeyourownnightsky.”

Procedure:1. Bringtwostudentsovertothetableatatime.2. Explain,”Youwillbemakingyourownnightsky.Tostartoutwith,I

wantyoutotracethecircleonthegreypaperandthencutitout.”Allowtimesostudentscancompletethis.

3. Explain,“Good.Nowwearegoingtomakethestars.Iwantyoutotraceatleast3starsontheyellowpaper.Onceyouhavefinishedtracing,Iwantyoutocutthestarsout.”Alltimesostudentscancompletethis.**

4. Explain,“GreatnowIamgoingtogiveyouablackpieceofpaper.OnthispaperIwantyoutoglueyourmoonandstarsdownonthepaper.”Allowtimesostudentscancompletethis.

5. Allowenoughtimesothatallstudentscancompletethisactivity.ClosureandTransition:

“Greatjobwiththisactivity.Tomorrowwiththeyaredry;wearegoingtohangthemupoutinthehallway.NowIwantyoutogotooneoftheotheractivitiesthatistakingplaceintheroomrightnow.”

Source:• Cottrell,M.Original

GrossMotor:AsteroidBeltConceptsfostered:

7.TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpasttheJovianplanets.8. TheasteroidbeltcontainsasteroidsandislocatedbetweentheTerrestrial

andJovianplanets.LearningObjective:Giventhegrossmotorgame,preschoolstudentswillassisteachotherinkeepingtheasteroids(balloons)fromhittingtheearth(ground).EarlyChildhoodIndicatorsofProgress:

1. Domain:ApproachestoLearning(III)2. DomainComponent:ImaginationandInvention3. IndicatorofProgress:3.Tryoutvariouspretendrolesinplayorwith

make‐believeobjects4. Page:24

MaterialsNeeded:

• Inflatedballoons(asteroids)• LargeprintoutofEarth

Introduction:

1. TalkwiththestudentsabouttheasteroidandKuiperBelt2. Describetothestudentsthatsometimesasteroids/cometsescapethebelts

andhittheearthProcedure:

5. Tellthestudentsthatmanyasteroidsareabouttohittheearthandit’sourjobtoprotectit

6. Whenit'stimetoplayhavethechildrenformacircle7. *Tosstheballoonsor"asteroids"intheairandthechildrenhaveto

keeptheasteroidsfromhittingtheEarth.ClosureandTransition:


SourceDisneyAmazingMoms.(2010).Spacebirthdaypartytheme.Retrieved4/10,2011,fromhttp://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/party‐space‐birthday.htm

Title:IWanttobeanAstronautConceptsFostered:

10. Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.LearningObjective:

• Giventheastronautactivitythepreschoolstudentswilldeterminehowastronautsmoveinspaceandmovethatway.

EarlyChildhoodIndicationofProgress: PhysicalandMotorDevelopment GrossMotorDevelopment 4.Developabilitytomovetheirbodyinspacewithcoordinationp.50Materials:

• IWanttobeanAstronautbyByronBarton• CDplayer• CDofthesong“OrbitingAroundtheMoon”

TeacherPreparation:• Beforethelesson,theteacherneedstogetthebook.Theteacheralsoneeds

tohavetheCDintheCDplayerreadytogosotheteachercanjustpushplayduringthelesson.

Introduction:• “Goodmorningboysandgirls,itsnicetoseeyouallhere.Todaywearegoing

totalkaboutastronauts.Tostartoff,letssingoursong,“TheAstronautSong”.”

o OuterspaceiswhereIreallyliketogoIrideinsideaspaceship,don'tyouknowIliketotravelnearthestarsWavetoJupiterandMarsOuterspaceiswhereIreallyliketogo

Procedure:1. “Goodjobboysandgirls,itwasnicetohearallofyourvoicesthismorning.

NowIamgoingtoreadyouthebookIWanttobeanAstronaut.”Readthebooktothestudentsandmakesuretomovethebookaroundsoallofthestudentscanseethepictures.

a. IWanttobeanAstronautisaboutayoungchildwhoimagineswhatitisliketobeanastronautandallofthethingsthattheywanttodoinouterspace.

2. Afterreadingthebookexplain,“Alrightstudents,nowletspretendthatweareastronauts.Iwantyoutostandupandletsputourspacesuitson.Letsstartoutbyputtingthesuiton.”Allowtimeforstudenttoputontheirsuits.

3. Explain,“Alrightnowthatwehaveoursuitson,let’sgetourbootsandourhelmetson.”Allowtimeforstudentstoputtheseitemson.

4. Explain,“Nowthatwehaveoursuitson,Iwantyoualltocrouchdown.Thenwearegoingtocountbackwardsfrom10.After1Iwantyoutoyell“BlastOff”andjumpupintheair.WhenyoulandonyourfeetIthenwantyoutomovearoundhowyouthinkanastronautwouldmovearoundinspace.Whenyouaremovingaround,Iwantyoutolookoutfortheotherchildrenmovingaround”

5. Startthecountdown.Whenthechildrenaremovingaround,playthesong“OrbitingAroundtheMoon”Havethestudent’smovearounduntilthemusicstops.**

6. Afterthemusicstops,haveallthestudentssitdownanddiscusssomeofthethingstheydid.

ClosureandTransition:• “Boysandgirls,greatjobonbeingastronauts.TonightathomeIwantyouto

goandtrytogetyourparentstobeastronautstowithyou.NowIneedyoutogolineupatthedoorsowecangooutside.”

Source:Charner,K.(1996).Thegiantencyclopediaofcircletimeandgroupsactivitiesfor

children3to6.GryphonHouseInc.OrbitingRoundtheMoon.Retrievedfrom

http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/space/songs.htmTheAstronautSong.Retrievedfrom

http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/space/songs.htm

LargeGroup/CircleTimeConceptsfostered:



Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.LearningObjective:Giventhecircletimeactivity,childrenwilldescribesimilaritiesanddifferencesofthetwodifferenttypesofplanets.EarlyChildhoodIndicatorsofProgress:

1. Domain:LanguageandLiteracyDevelopment(III)2. DomainComponent:Listening3. IndicatorofProgress:2.Listenwithunderstandingtostories,directions,

andconversations4. Page:30

MaterialsNeeded:

• There’snoplacelikeSpacebyTishRabe• Listofactionsforthesettler

Introduction:

1. Startwithasettlersonga. Everybodydothis,dothis,dothis

Everybodydothis,justlikeme.2. Changetheactionseachtimeyousingit3. Letthechildreneachhaveoneturnmakinguptheactions4. Theteachershouldbethelastonetohaveaturnandtheactionshouldbesit

downProcedure:

1. Oncethestudentsaresettled,readthebookThere’sNoPlaceLikeSpacebyTishRabe

2. Haveadiscussionwiththestudentsaboutthetwodifferenttypesofplanets3. HavetheteacherwritedownsimilaritiesanddifferencesonaVenndiagram




TITLEOFACTIVITY:AsteroidTossCONCEPTSFOSTERED:7.TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpasttheJovianplanets8.TheasteroidbeltcontainsasteroidsandislocatedbetweentheTerrestrialandJovianplanetsLEARNINGOBJECTIVE:GiventheAsteroidToss,thelearnerwillparticipateintossingtheasteroidstotheirpeers.EARLYCHILDHOODINDICATORSOFPROGRESS:DomainI:SocialandEmotionalDevelopment‐SocialCompetenceandRelationships1:Interacteasilywithoneormorechildren(Pg.18)DomainII:ApproachestoLearning‐ImaginationandInvention1:Approachtasksandexperienceswithflexibility,imagination,andinventiveness(Pg.24)MATERIALSNEEDED:2crumpledballsof(recycled)paperpereachstudentintwodifferentcolors(whitevs.colored)2sheets/blankets/rugsINTRODUCTION:TheteacherwillexplaintothestudentsthatinouterspacetheKuiperbeltislocatedbetweentheTerrestrialandJovianplanets.Inthisbelttherearemanyasteroidsandtodaywearegoingtotossasteroidstoourfriends.Sinceweareinouterspace,theasteroidsareweightlesscomparedtohowmuchtheywouldweighontheplanetEarth.PROCEDURE:

1. Thestudentswillbeseparatedintotwogroups(TerrestrialandJovian)andeachgroupwillstandonasheet.

2. *Thestudentswillbeinstructedtothrowthecrumpledpapers(whichscatteredonthesheets)tossthemtoafriendontheotherrug.*Thiswillbedifficultduetothelargemotorskillsthatarestilldevelopingandbecausethepaperissolight.

3. Thestudentswillberequiredtostayontheirsheet.Thegoalistogetallofthewhiteasteroidstotheoppositesideandthecoloredasteroidstotheoppositeside.

CLOSUREANDTRANSITION:Toendthelesson,theteacherwillaskthestudentstocounthowmanyasteroidsdidnotmakeittotheoppositeside.TheseasteroidswillhavelandedintheKuiperBelt.Toendtheactivitythestudentswillbeaskedtogathertwoasteroidsanddisposeofthemintherecyclingbin.SOURCE:Original‐byLeKeishaWeimerskirch

Music1.I’maLittleAstronautTune:I’mALittleTeapotI’malittleastronautFlyingtothemoon.Myrocketisready,Weblastoffsoon.IclimbaboardAndclosethehatch.5‐4‐3‐2‐1,offweblast!

9. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.10. Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.

Warren,J.Moonthemeactivities.Retrievedfrom

http://www.preschoolexpress.com/theme‐station10/moon‐june.shtml2.PlanetSong Tune:AntsGoMarchingThePlanetsrevolvearoundthesun...hurrah,hurrahThePlanetsrevolvearoundthesun...hurrah,hurrahThePlanetsrevolvearoundthesun,theyspinontheiraxiseveryoneAndtheyallgospinning...aroundandaroundtheygoMercury,Venus,EarthandMars...hurrah,hurrahMercury,Venus,EarthandMars...hurrah,hurrahMercury,Venus,EarthandMarsallwhirlingandtwirlingamongthestarsAndtheyallgospinning,around,andaroundtheygoJupiterandSaturnarenextinline...hurrah,hurrahJupiterandSaturnarenextinline...hurrah,hurrahUranus,NeptuneandPlutomakesnineAndtheyallgospinningaround,andaroundtheygoBoom,boom,BOOM!


Sun,moon,stars,andplanetstheme:songs,fingerplays,nurseryrhymes.Retrieved

fromhttp://www.preschoolkids.net/sun_moon_stars_planets_theme.htm

3.PlanetsintheSolarSystemTothetuneofShe’llbeComin’RoundtheMountainThereareeightplanetsinoursolarsystem(justeight!)Thereareeightplanetsinoursolarsystem(justeight!)Mercury,Venus,Earth,andMarsJupiter,Saturn,Uranus,AndNeptuneorbit‘roundourstartheSun(justeight!)

1. Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,

Saturn,UranusandNeptune.DenverMuseumofNatureandScience.(2011).SingAlong.Retrieved4/10,2011,fromwww.dmns.org/media/2946/singAlong.pdf

4.10987654321Blastoff!

NospecifictuneOffwegointoouterspaceOffwegoatazippingpace,Rocketsareready,allthingsaresteady.Offtovisitthemoon.Spaceship,Spaceship,passingthestarsinthesky,gleamingbrightlyseethecometsgoby.Repeat

9. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.Pam.(2004).BlastOff.Retrieved4/10,2011,fromhttp://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/space/space.htm5.TwinkleTwinkleLittleStarTwinkletwinklelittlestarHowIwonderwhatyouareUpabovetheworldsohighLikeadiamondintheskyTwinkletwinklelittlestarHowIwonderwhatyouare.

5.TherearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesunTraditional6.AstronautSongSungto“IfYou’reHappyandYouKnowIt”OuterspaceiswhereIreallyliketogo.Irideinsideaspaceshipdon’tyouknow?Iliketotravelnearthestars,WavetoJupiterandMars.OuterspaceiswhereIreallyliketogo.1.Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,Uranus,andNeptune.5.Therearemaystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.10.AstronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspaceChild’sPlayFamilyDaycare.(2002).Sum,Moon,Stars&PlanetsThemefor

Preschoolers.PreschoolKids.Retrievedfromhttp://www.preschoolkids.net/sun_moon_stars_planets_theme.htm

FingerPlays:1.TenAstronautsTenastronautsinarocketship(Holdupfingersandtouchbothhandstogetheratfingertipstomakepointofrocket)Flyingthroughspacegoingtomakealittletrip(Keeppointofrocketwithhandsandgobackandforth)

GoingpastMarsandJupiter,too!(Keeppointofrocketwithhandsandgobackandforth)

Tenlittleastronauts,whatacrew!(Holdup10fingers)

10 Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.25. Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,

Saturn,UranusandNeptune.

Sun,moon,stars,andplanetstheme:songs,fingerplays,nurseryrhymes.Retrievedfromhttp://www.preschoolkids.net/sun_moon_stars_planets_theme.htm

2.StarsAtnightIseethetwinklingstars(fistupandopenhandsoveryourhead)

Andagreatbigsmilingmoon(circlearmsoverhead)

MyMommytucksmeintobed(Laypointerofonehandacrossthepalmoftheotherhand)

Andsingsagood‐nighttune.(Rockyourhandsbackandforth)5. Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.9. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.

Music&songs:space.Retrievedfromhttp://www.preschooleducation.com/sspace.shtml3.5LittleAliens5littlealienswentouttoplayoverthemoontothemilkyway.(wave5fingers)mamaalienwenthephephep(wavethumb)4littlealienscamefloatingback.(Gofrom4‐3,3‐2,2‐1,1‐0whilewavingthatmanyfiner)

FatheralienwentHEPHEPHEPthe5littlealienscamefloatingback(Wavepointerandthenthewholehand)9.Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.Schmidt,Sonya.(2004).Fivelittlealiens.Retrieved4/10,2011fromhttp://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/space/space.htm4.5LittleAstronauts5littleastronautsfloatinginspace,(wave5fingers)lookingatthestarswithasmileontheirface.(movewholehandsidetosidewhilesmiling)Whenalongcameaspaceshiptobeamoneoutandthe4littleastronautsgavealittleyell"HEY"(Gofrom4‐3,3‐2,2‐1and1‐0andputdownonefingeratatime)10.Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.Schmidt,Sonya.(2004).Fivelittlealiens.Retrieved4/10,2011fromhttp://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/space/space.htm5.CountdownComeon,everybody!Let’sgotothemoon!(Motion“comeon”withonehand)Hurry,hurry!We’releavingsoon!(Pretendtotapwristwatch)Putupyourhandandlet’sallcount.(Holdup5fingers)We’regoingtoliftoffandzoomabout!(Sweepotherhandupwardfromhip)Ready?5…4…3…2..1…(Showeachnumberoffingers)Blastoff!(Jumpupandraisebothhandsintheair)10.Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.PreschoolColonial.(2002).SpaceSongsandFingerplays.TeacherSongs.Retrieved


6.I’maLittleRocketI’malittlerocketpointingatthemoon(Raisearmsaboveheadandfingertipstouching)NowI’mgettingfueledup(Wigglehips)We’llbereadysoon.(Standupstraightandtall)Whenit’stimetoboardme,thenI’llsay(Slowlybendkneesandcrouchdown‐armsstillabovehead)Blastoff!Zoom!We’reonourway!(Jumpupanddown)9.Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellitesPreschoolColonial.(2002).SpaceSongsandFingerplays.TeacherSongs.Retrieved


Nonbookstories:1.WhatistheSun?byReeveLindberghPublishedbyCandlewickPress Thisstoryisaboutachildwhoaskswhatthesun,moon,andeartharebeforebedThechildaskmanyquestionsabouttheaboutthefunctionsofthesun,moon,andearth.Thischild’sparentanswersallofthequestionsandthentucksthechildintobed. Forthisstory,theteacherwilluseamagnetboard.Theteacherwillhavepicturestorepresenteachofthequestionsthatthechildasksandpicturesthatrepresenttheanswertheparentgives.Whenreadingthestory,puteachpictureuponthecookiesheetwhenitisbeingtalkedaboutandthenremoveitwhenmovingontothenextpicture.

6. Thesunisthecenteroftheuniverse.9. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.1. Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,

Saturn,UranusandNeptune.2.TheMagicSchoolBusLostintheSolarSystembyJoannaColeOnaspecialfieldtripinthemagicschoolbus,Ms.Frizzle'sclassgoesintoouterspaceandvisitseachplanetinthesolarsystem.DeliveryMethod:

• Feltboardstory• Feltpiecesforeachplanet• Feltpiecesforcharacters• Feltpiecesfordifferentthingstheydiscoveroneachplanet




Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.3.TheThreeAstronautsbyUmbertoEcoAfterreadingthestorytothestudents,IwilluselargetonguesuppresserstickstomakethreeimagesofastronautsandoneMartian.Thestudentswillactoutthe

storyinthepuppettheaterwheretheastronautsfromdifferentcountriesmeetuponMars.

1.Thesolarsystemhaseightplanets:Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.10.AstronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspaceColorBlindWebDesign.(2007).PeopleandTheirJobs.TheColoringSpot.Retrieved

fromhttp://thecoloringspot.com/people/people‐jobs‐coloring‐pages‐1.html

DramaticPlay:1.Theclassroomwillhaveanastronautcostumefordramaticplay.Thiswillinclude:boots,asuit,glovesandahelmet.Thiswillbeusedforpretendingtheyareastronautsondifferentplanetsandmoons.Thiswillencouragelanguagedevelopmentbyencouragingthemtousenewvocabularyaboutthesolarsystem.

10. Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.OriginalbyAngieDoyle

2.SpaceShip:Theteacherwilllayagraysheet/rugdownonthefloorforthesurfaceoftheplanet.Ontopofthiswillbearefrigeratorcoveredinwhitebutcherpaperthathasbeendecoratedtolooklikeaspaceship.Therewillbehula‐hoopstiedtothespaceshipsotheastronautsdonotfloataway.Acoatrackwillalsobeonthesheetwithtoyshangingfromitthatthe“astronauts”canplaywithwithouttheforceofgravity.10.AstronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspaceOriginalbyLeKeishaWeimerskirch

Attendance/CheckIn1.Sun/MoonWheel

Theteachercanstartbycuttingoutacircleandatleastfivetrianglesforeachchild.Thencolortheemptyhalfofthebigcircleandthetrianglesyellow.Thencolortheotherhalfofthecirclegray.Nowgluethetrianglesontotheyellowsideofthecirclesoitlookslikethesun.Thenonthebulletinboard,putalargepieceofwhitepaperup.Takeanx‐actoknifeandcutslitsinthepaperlongenoughsothateachhalfofthecircleswillfixinit.Takeeachcircleandplacehalfofitinoneoftheslits.Takeapinandputitinthemiddleofthecircle.Makesurethatthecirclewillnowspin.Completethiswitheverycircle.Afterthisiscomplete,takeamarkerawriteeachchild’snamenexttoacircle.

Whenthechildrenarriveeachdayhavethemturntheircircletothesun.Attheendofthedayhavethechildrenturntherecircletothemoon.Iftheircircleisatthetopoftheboard,eitheraparentorteachercanliftthemuportherewillbeastepstoolnearsotheyreachtheircircle.

9. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.5.Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.

2.Attendance/CheckinIdea:Theclassroomwillhaveaninteractivebulletinboardthatthestudentswillupdateatthebeginningofeachday.ThebulletinboardwillbeofthenightskywithenoughVelcrospotsforeachstudent.Whenthestudentgetstoschooleachmorning,heorshewillhavetofindtheirstarwiththeirnameandpictureonitandplaceitonthebulletinboard.5.Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.

3.LittleAstronauts:

EachstudentwillhaveanastronauttocolorandgluetoaPopsiclestick.ThesePopsiclestickswillgoinarecycledtincancoveredwitharocketship.Theywillbeusedtodecidegroupsforstationsthroughouttheweek,whogetstoanswerquestions,andotheractivitiesthroughouttheweek.

10.AstronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspaceColorBlindWebDesign.(2007).PeopleandTheirJobs.TheColoringSpot.Retrieved


Snack:1.EdibleStarsWheatbreadStarshapedcookiecuttersStrawberryjamorgrapejellyPlasticknifesGiveeachchild2slicesofbreadandaplasticknife.Havethechildrenputthejellyoftheirchoiceonthebread.Havethemputthesandwichtogetherandcutthebreadwiththestarshapedcookiecutter.Thentheycanenjoy.Makesurethereisenoughsuppliessothatchildrencanhavemorethanoneiftheywantto.

5. Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.Sun,moon,stars,andplanetstheme:songs,fingerplays,nurseryrhymes.Retrieved

fromhttp://www.preschoolkids.net/sun_moon_stars_planets_theme.htm2.SolarSystemFruitUsedifferentsizedroundfruitandadddetailstothefruitwithfoodcoloringorfrosting.Arrangethefruitintosolarsystemsandletthechildrenpickwhichplanettheywouldliketoeat.


3.SpaceFoodAfterdiscussingthetypesoffoodastronautsuseinspace,thestudentswillgettotrydriedfoodforsnack(Beefjerky,Raisins,otherdriedfruit,etc.).10.AstronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspaceRhondaNorton‐RedeemerLutheranPreschool:Winona,MN

Fieldtrip/Walk1.Thepreschoolclasswillgotothelocalplanetarium.Beforethetrip,theteacherneedstocontacttheplanetariumandtalkaboutwhattoshowthestudents.Attheplanetarium,thestudentswillseealloftheplanets.TheywilllearnwhichplanetsareJovianandwhichplanetsareTerrestrial.Theywillalsogettoseethesun,theKuiperBelt,theAsteroidBelt,thesun,themoon,andstars.Theywilllearnwhatorderalloftheseplants,thesun,andasteroidsgoin.






andJovianplanets.34. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.

2.TakethestudentstoaSpace/AirMuseum.Exploredifferentpiecesthathavebeenbroughtbackfromspacesuchasmoonrocks,asteroidremains,etc.Ifpossible,exploresatellitesorrocketships/simulatedrocketships.

7.TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpasttheJovianplanets.8. TheasteroidbeltcontainsasteroidsandislocatedbetweentheTerrestrial

andJovianplanets.10.Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.3.Virtualtriptothemoon:ThestudentswillsitinseatslinedupinfrontoftheTV/Projector.Theywillwear“Astronautgear”thattheycreatedthroughouttheweekandparticipateinafieldtriptothemoon.ThevideowillbeplayedonaprojectororaTV.

9.Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites10.Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace

TheRockTheDance.(2010).DiscoveryShuttleLaunch.YouTube.Retrievedfromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDiQja08CZY

ResourcePerson1.Thepreschoolclasswillhaveaworkerfromtheobservatorycomeandtalkaboutwhatanobservatoryis.Someofthequestionstheclasswillaskare:

1. Whenisthebesttimetogototheobservatory?2. WhyisPlutonolongeraplanet?3. Howcanyoutellifwhatyouarelookingatisastar?4. Howdoyouuseatelescope?5. Whatplanetscanyouseewiththetelescope?

3. Terrestrialplanetsarethe“rocky”planetsandarelocatedclosesttothesun:Mercury,Venus,EarthandMars.

4. Jovianplanetsarethe“gassy”planetsandarelocatedfurthestfromthesun:Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.

5. Therearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesun.6. Thesunisthecenteroftheuniverse.7. TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpastthe


andJovianplanets.9. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.

2.Inviteanastronomerintoyourclassroomtoactasaresourceforyourstudents.Iftherearenoastronomers,professorsfromnearbyuniversitiesthatteachastronomywillwork.Havethemsharepersonalexperienceswithchildrenandletthechildrenaskthemquestions.ExampleQuestions:

1. What’sthefavoritepartofyourjob?2. Whatisyourfavoriteplanetandwhy?3. Wouldyouevergointoouterspaceifyoucould?4. Wherewouldyouvisitifyougotoouterspaceandwhy?



Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune.3.Geologist‐Thegeologistwillcomeinandbringdifferentmaterialstheyhavethathavecomefromouterspace.Theobjectsbroughtinwillvaryduetowhatthespecificgeologisthasaccessto.Thegeologistwilldiscusswhattypesofmaterialscomefromspace.Thequestionsthatthegeologistisaskedwillvaryontheresourcesavailabletothegeologist.

2.Therearetwotypesofplanets,JovianandTerrestrial3.Terrestrialplanetsarethe“rocky”planetsandarelocatedfurthestfromthesun:Jupiter,Saturn,UranusandNeptune7.TheKuiperbeltcontainsasteroidsandcometsandislocatedjustpasttheJovianplanets8.TheasteroidbeltcontainsasteroidsandislocatedbetweentheTerrestrialandJovianplanets.

HomeSchoolConnection1.Aftertheworkerfromtheobservatorycomes,sendaletterhometotheparentsexplainingthattherewasaworkerfromtheobservatorythatcametotalktotheclass.Theobservatorywillnowholdaspecialnightwhereonlystudentsfromourclasscangoandtourtheobservatoryandlookatthenightsky.Explainthatthiswillbeagreatwayforthestudentstoactuallyseesomeofthethingsthatwearetalkingaboutinclass.Thisisnotrequiredofthem.Butiftheyarefreetheobservatorywouldlovetohavethem.






andJovianplanets.43. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellite

2.Invitetheparentsintoyourclassroomforanin‐schoolplanetarium.Rentaplanetariumtosetupinyourclassroomandletyourstudentsshowtheirparentseverythingthey’velearnedaboutthesolarsystem!






andJovianplanets.9. Mostplanetshaveatleastone,ifnotmultiple,moons/satellites.10. Astronautsarepeoplewhoexploreouterspace.

3.FindtheBigDipperParentswillreceiveacopyoftheBigandLittleDipper.Theparentswillbeaskedtospendsometimeatnightoutsidetryingtofindthem.Thestudentswillthenbeaskedtoshareabouttheirexperiencesinclassiftheyfoundthebigandlittledipperoriftheysawanyothershapesorobjectsintheskyatnight.5.TherearemanystarsinthesolarsystemincludingthesunVeloso,B.(2009).StuffFromRoom311.Retrievedfrom

https://stufffromthelab.wordpress.com/page/16/

Day3 Day4 Day5DoorsOpen/FreeplayAttendance1:Sun/MoonWheel

DoorsOpen/Freeplay DoorsOpen/FreeplayAttendance3:LittleAstronauts

LargeGroup2:There’sNoPlaceLikeSpaceMusic6:AstronautSong

FingerPlay1:TenAstronautsLargeGroup1:IWanttobeanAstronautMusic1:I’maLittleAstronaut

Music5:Twinkle,Twinkle,LittleStarFingerPlay2:StarsResourcePerson2:Astronomer/Scientist

Day/Time Day1 Day29:00‐9:20 DoorsOpen/

FreeplayAttendance2:StarBulletinBoard

DoorsOpen/Freeplay

9:20‐9:40:CircleTime

IntroductoryActivity2:ThePlanetsMusic2:PlanetSong

IntroductoryActivity3:PlanetBallsFingerPlay4:FiveLittleAstronauts

10:00‐10:45:DirectedPlay/Centers

OpeningActivity1:DecoratingTheRoomMathLesson3:EightPlanets

FieldTrip2:Space/AirMuseum

10:45:‐11:20LargeGroup

GroupGame3:PintheEarthontheSolarSystem’FingerPlay5:Countdown

11:20‐11:40Snack

Snack2:SolarSystemFruit

FieldTrip1:GoingtothePlanetarium

11:40‐12:00CircleTime

Music3:PlanetsintheSolarSystemNon‐bookStory1:WhatistheSun?

12:00‐12:30DirectedPlay/Centers

ArtLesson1:PaintthePlanetsDramaticPlay2:SpaceShip

12:30‐12:45Dismissal/Goodbye

MathLesson1:CountTheStarsScienceLesson1:What’stheWeight?

ScienceLesson3:DietCokeRocketArtLesson2:RecycledRocketShip

ScienceLesson2:MakingComets

ResourcePerson1:WorkerfromtheObservatory

GroupGame2:BlastOffFieldtrip3:VirtualTriptotheMoon

GroupGame1:Comet,Comet,AsteroidResourcePerson3:Geologist

Snack3:SpaceFood

Snack1:EdibleStars

FingerPlay1:TenAstronautsNon‐bookStory2:TheMagicSchoolBusLostintheSolarSystem

Music4:10987654321BlastOffNon‐bookStory3:TheThreeAstronautsFingerPlay6:I’maLittleRocket

GrossMotorLesson:AsteroidBeltLargeGroup3:AsteroidTossFingerPlay3:FiveLittleAliens

DramaticPlay1:AstronautCostumesMathLesson2:PatternGame

ArtLesson3:PlanetPiePrints

FineMotorSkills:MakingaNightSky

10Children’sBooks1. MartianRockbyCarolDiggoryShields.PublishedbyCandlewickPress

Thisbookisaboutagroupoffriendsandtheirjourneyinouterspace.Theystarttheirjourneyonthefarthestplanet.Theystopateachplanetandthesun.Theydescribethecharacteristicsofalloftheplacestheystopat.Buttheygethomesickanddecidedtogovisitearthquickbeforetheygohome.

2. TheSunismyFavoriteStarbyFrankAschPublishedbyHarcourtInc.

Thisbookisaboutthesunandwhythischildlikesthesunsomuch.ThebooktalksaboutallofthethingsthesundoesforusonEarth.Italsotalksaboutallthedifferentactivitiesyoucandowiththesun.

3. TheEarthandIbyFrankAschPublishedbyHarcourtInc.

Thisbookisabouttheearthandachild.Thechildandtheeartharefriends.Theydolotsofactivitiestogetherandtheydothingsthatmakeoneanotherhappy.Italsodiscussessomeofthewaysthattheearthtakescareofyouandhowtotakecareoftheearth.

4. TheRooftopRocketPartybyRolandChambersPublishedbyRoaringBookPress

FinnwenttovisitDoctorGass.HehaslotsofquestionsaboutthemoonandrocketsforDoctorGass,whoalwayshastheanswersforanythingscientificexceptforonething.Theboythengoesonanadventureinspace.

5. Comets,Stars,TheMoon,andMarsbyDouglasFlorianPublishedbyHarcourtInc.

Thisbookismadeupofpoemsandpaintingsbasedonthesolarsystem.Thereisapoemforeachoneoftheplanets,thesun,themoon,comets,constellations,andmanyotherthingsinthesolarsystem.

6. TheBirthoftheMoonbyColbyHolPublishedbyNorth‐SouthBooks

Thisbookabouthowatnighttheanimalscouldnotseeanything.Theywantedthesuntoshineallday,butthesuncouldnot.Thesunhadtolighttheotherside

oftheworld.Butthesuntoldtheanimalstowatchtheskythatnight.Thatnighttherewasamoonandalltheanimalsweregrateful.

7. TheMoonSeemstoChangebyFranklinM.BranleyPublishedbyHarperandRow

Thisbookisaboutthemoonandhowitseemstochange.Itexplainswhythemoonlooksdifferentattimesandwhythemoonchanges.Italsoexplainsthenamesofthedifferenttypesofmoons.

8. OurStarsbyAnneRockwellPublishedbyHarcourtInc

Thisbookisaboutthestars.Therearemanystarsatnightandonestarduringtheday,thesun.Ittalksaboutconstellationsandhowtheywereformed.ItthentalksabouttheEarthandthemoon,comets,meteors,andastronauts.

9. What’sOutThere?ABookAboutSpacebyLynnWilsonPublishedbyGrosset&DunlaThisbookisaboutallouterspace.Itexplainswhatisthesunmadeof,whatcausesdayandnight,andwhythemoonchangesshape.Thisbookalsotalksabouttheplanets,stars,andcomets.

10. OntheMoonbyAnnaMilbourne.PublishedbyUsborneBooks

Thisbookisaboutthewondersofthemoon.Thisbooktakesyouonajourneytofindoutwhatitisliketoflyintoouterspace,walkonthemoonsurface,andtakealookattheearthfromthemoon.

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Arnett,B.(2010).Thenine(8)planets.Retrieved2/20,2011,from

http://nineplanets.org/

BlueMooseWebworks.(2009).Goastronomy.Retrieved2/20,2011,from

http://www.go‐astronomy.com/planets/planet‐moons.htm

Cessna,A.(2009,June22).Jovianplanets.Retrievedfrom

http://www.universetoday.com/33061/jovian‐planets/

Cessna,A.(2010,January11).Terrestrialplanets.Retrievedfrom

http://www.universetoday.com/50287/terrestrial‐planets/

Charner,K.(1996).Thegiantencyclopediaofcircletimeandgroupsactivitiesfor

children3to6.GryphonHouseInc.

Child’sPlayFamilyDaycare.(2002).Sum,Moon,Stars&PlanetsThemefor

Preschoolers.PreschoolKids.Retrievedfrom

http://www.preschoolkids.net/sun_moon_stars_planets_theme.htm

ColorBlindWebDesign.(2007).PeopleandTheirJobs.TheColoringSpot.Retrieved


Cowling,T.(2010).OuterSpaceGames.InBrightHub.Retrievedfrom

http://www.brighthub.com/education/early‐childhood/articles/95440.aspx

Cowling,T.(2010).TeachingtheSolarSystemtoPreschoolers.InBrightHub.

Retrievedfromhttp://www.brighthub.com/education/early‐

childhood/articles/64291.aspx

Cox,K.SpaceTheme.Retrievedfromhttp://prekinders.com/space‐theme/

DenverMuseumofNatureandScience.(2011).SingAlong.Retrieved4/10,2011,

fromwww.dmns.org/media/2946/singAlong.pdf

DisneyAmazingMoms.(2010).Spacebirthdaypartytheme.Retrieved4/10,2011,

fromhttp://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/party‐space‐birthday.htm

FirstSchool.(2010).PlanetsSpaceDayTheme.InFirstSchool.Retrievedfrom

http://www.first‐school.ws/activities/occasions/spaceday.htm

Globio(2011).Stars:Themysteriesofthenightsky.Retrievedfrom

http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=56

Greene,N.(2011).Satellite.Retrieved2/20,2011,from

http://space.about.com/od/glossaries/g/satellite.htm

Kidsastronomy.(2011).Retrievedfrom

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm

Lochner,J.(2010,February3).Thesun.Retrievedfrom

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/sun.html

Music&songs:space.Retrievedfrom

http://www.preschooleducation.com/sspace.shtml

OrbitingRoundtheMoon.Retrievedfrom


Pam.(2004).BlastOff.Retrieved4/10,2011,from

http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/space/space.htm

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