Before delving into this five-week study, I recommend taking a quick look at our Solar System through language ads activities. A mystery guessing game is a great way to start.
Call the children to group and encourage them to listen closely:
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LOOK AFAR
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by Waltrina Kirkland-Mullins
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Up in the sky, way beyond the blue
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Something wonderful, vast, exciting and new
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Is calling . . . calling . . . inviting you
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To take a look afar
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And explore a place filled with twinkle and light
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And objects that orbit, revolve or take flight
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Come on, let’s find out what they are!
Emphasize
blue twinkle,
light,
orbit,
revolve
and
take flight
. Encourage full class participation and randomly call on students to share what the subject of this mystery poem (and upcoming Science unit) might be. Conclude by sharing the content of the new unit, and applaud those who have participated and/or have guessed correctly.
Continue by pooling a knowledge base from the children. Make a K-W-L* chart of information provide by your students. Auditory comprehension, logical thinking number concept recognition, visual discrimination can all be incorporated into this introductory segment.
Key Words/Vocabulary
New words will be introduced throughout each unit. Based on student input and information you provide, an ongoing list of key words can be devised. Many of them can be accompanied by picture cues, and can strategically be charted and hung on classroom walls. Among them:
Astronomy
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astronomer
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cosmology
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cosmologist
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astronaut
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telescope
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binoculars
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planet
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Solar System
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galaxy
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Universe
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planetarium
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(Note: Students at this grade level often enjoy becoming familiar with and using “grownup” words, so don’t hesitate to expose them to more advanced terminology. Additionally note that canvassing students for vocabulary words can be surprising! Many of our little ones have a wealth of information under their belt: call on them to see what they know before providing information.)
*K = what you know, W = what you’d like to know, L = what you have learned. After completing each unit segment, or as a culmination to the entire curriculum unit, go back to “L“ and record the children’s responses. The use of the K-W-L serves as a helpful approach in monitoring student absorption and understanding of the subject matter.
Additionally, make the introduction of new words fun and zany by providing the definition and letting the students guess the word. As an alternative, bring in “Secret Show-and-Tell” items, like binoculars hidden in a mysteriously decorated bag. Give misleading hints (e.g., the item in this bag is not alive, but it has “two eyes” that can help you see things that are far, far away.) Subsequently have the children take turns feeling what’s inside the bag. Jot down their observations, and after the children have made a few guesses, reveal the mystery item.
Such exercises can be followed by a shared reading. PLANETS by Kim Jackson (Troll Associates, 1985) is a simplistic opener for young explorers. Post shared reading, PLANETS can be placed in your classroom library or Science center for independent study and/or reading. Wallah! You’ve set the tone for a fun-filled Astronomy adventure!