Using the grandeur of space to teach hands-on, standards-based lessons to teachers to impact the next generation

Do you have a Flip movie camera for your classroom?      Terry Sue and I have been working with teachers to make using video technology in the classroom easier.  Small Flip cameras are easy to use, and the best part is that it works like your digital camera with regards to how you download a movie file on your computer.  It is so easy and also not very expensive.  And it makes loading videos into TeacherTube very easy.  Learn more at www.theflip.com

We got the following question in email about 2 weeks ago from a 5th grade teacher and it was so good, we thought we would share it with all of you!  The email stated that due to the new standards, she was having to talk about the following topic, which she felt lost!  The email was to address the follwing 3 topics.  1. I need to research star patterns using a star chart.   2. Discuss tools used in identifying star patterns.   3.   Using the star patterns, be able to discuss the seasons of the year. 

I am going to paste my reply below - if you have a projector, you will be able to use a lot of these websites

1.       Research a star pattern using a chart...
This is nothing more than making sure that they understand that stars have been plotted and recorded... and since there was no TV 2000 years ago -really longer ago than that- that people saw images in the sky and made stories about them so that this info could be passed down from generation to generation...  You might look into using the book Zoo in the Sky or Once upon a Starry Night - both books by Jacqueline Mitton and Christina Balit - they are very good to show the patterns in the sky the story that goes with that pattern
There are 88 constellations in the night sky and every star that can be seen with the eye is part of one of those constellations

You might also check out the web sites if you have a projector   http://www.earthsky.org/tonightcategory/favorite-star-patterns.  Also, here is a star map placed on a globe - http://www.richardbell.net/images/starmap/map.gif

And last... a star map that you can print for the kids can be found at
http://www.skymaps.com/

 2.       Tools used for identifying star patterns...
 These would be the naked eye...  a star map...  binoculars .. and a telescope...

 3.       Use image of the night sky to identify seasonal patterns
 Well...   each season is highlighted by certain star constellations appearing in the east!!  Have you heard that spring comes in like a Lion... well... there is a reason for that... and it is has nothing to do with the wind blowing!!!  (The constellation Leo the lion rises in the east!)  

 This web site takes each season and list what can be found in the night sky!  On the menu on the left... look way down until you find the seasons...  it makes interesting reading!!!!    This is how people in ancient times knew when to plant...  knew when to harvest...  knew when the season was coming that would flood the Nile each year...   they would watch for a certain star or star pattern in the sky! http://www.richardbell.net/starmap.html
 

Thanks Cindy for your questions!!!!!!

Do you have your students make short videos?? - if so, you need this free tool!!!   It is always easier to do public speaking when you have the words right in front of you.  CuePrompter allows you to set up your computer to use a web browser to make a quick teleprompter!  CuePrompter is a free teleprompter/autocue service. Your browser works like a teleprompter -no extra
software needed.  Learn about it at :  http://www.cueprompter.com/

Do you teach moon phases?  If so, here is a very good online video that will help them learn this important topic!    Wonderville makes many interesting videos - check this one out!  It is interactive and the students will need to be able to answer some questions!   Make sure to bookmark this one!     http://www.wonderville.ca/v1/activities/phases/phases.html

Have you ever seen a 2 liter coke bottle turned into a rocket?   If not, check out the videos that my summer STEM camp students made of their launches.  

Join the Happy Scientist  Educator Robert Krampf, “the Happy Scientist,” shows visitors to his Web site that science can be fun and understandable. Part of that effort is his Free Experiment of the Week list. If you join the Experiment of the Week list, each week you will get a new experiment that you can try yourself. Also check out the free Science Photo of the Day and view the Latest Video (Fun at Technorama).
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Access Customizable Math Activities  The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM) provides customizable online math resources for grades 2–12. The eNLVM eModules include interactive online math activities that target identified objectives corresponding to state and national standards. With the online adaptation tools, you can modify lessons and activities to tailor them to the needs of your students. The eModules also include online assessments. All of the eModules may be used freely, but registration is required.
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