Module 4: Galaxies and Stars - Course Guide

Module Overview:

In this module you will learn about the universe, the Sun and other stars, the Solar System, the inner and outer planets, natural resources, renewable and nonrenewable resources, and conservation.

Module Materials:

Lesson # Lesson Title Material(s)
1 The Universe pen or pencil
crayons or colored pencils (optional)
2 The Sun and Other Stars pen or pencil
straight pin
3 The Solar System pen or pencil
marble (optional)
walnut (optional)
golf ball (optional)
acorn (optional)
basketball (optional)
soccer ball (optional)
softball (optional)
small grapefruit (optional)
4 Inner and Outer Planets pen or pencil;
5 The Inner Planets and Space Objects pen or pencil;
6 The Outer Planets pen or pencil;
7 Natural Resources pen or pencil;
8 Renewable and Nonrenewable pen or pencil
poster board
scissors
glue
9 Conservation pen or pencil;

Module Objectives:

Lesson # Lesson Title Objective(s)
1 The Universe
  1. Distinguish between a solar system, a galaxy, and the universe.
2 The Sun and Other Stars
  1. Identify key properties of the sun, including location and movement.
3 The Solar System
  1. Describe our solar system.
  2. Name the planets in our solar system.
4 Inner and Outer Planets
  1. Identify and describe the four inner planets.
  2. Identify and describe the outer planets.
5 The Inner Planets and Space Objects
  1. Describe the inner planets and space objects.
6 The Outer Planets
  1. Identify and describe the four outer planets.
7 Natural Resources
  1. Identify several key types of natural resources.
8 Renewable and Nonrenewable
  1. Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
9 Conservation
  1. Explain how to conserve natural resources.

Module Key Words:

Key Words
astronomy
solar system
universe
galaxy
Sun
star
star life cycle
planet
terrestrial
gas giants
inner planets
outer planets
terrestrial planets
asteroids
Jovian planets
natural resources
human-made resources
water
renewable resource
nonrenewable resource
conservation
energy
fossil fuels
geologist

Module Assignments:

Lesson # Lesson Title Page # Assignment Title
1 The Universe 1 Origins of Astronomy Assignment
1 The Universe 3 The Big, Wide Universe Assignment
7 Natural Resources 6 Natural Resource Word Diagram Assignment
8 Renewable and Nonrenewable 5 Renewable and Nonrenewable Assignment

Learning Coach Notes:

None

Module Guiding Questions:

When a student starts a lesson ask them questions to check for prior knowledge and understanding and to review concepts being taught. At the end of the lesson ask the questions again to see if their answer changes.

Lesson Title Question
The Universe
  1. What is the universe?
The Sun and Other Stars
  1. What makes a star?
The Solar System
  1. What is in our Solar System?
Inner and Outer Planets
  1. What planets are in our solar system?
The Inner Planets and Space Objects
  1. What are the characteristics of the terrestrial planets?
The Outer Planets
  1. What are the characteristics of the outer planets?
Natural Resources
  1. What are natural resources?
Renewable and Nonrenewable
  1. What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources?
Conservation
  1. How we can conserve our resources?

Module Video Questions:

When a student watches a video take time to ask them questions about what they watched. Suggested questions for the videos in this module are listed here. Suggestion: Have the student watch the entire video first all the way through. Then have them watch the video a second time, as they watch it pause the video and ask the questions.

Lesson Title Video Question
The Universe The Sky Above
  1. Write a summary in your science notebook about this video.
The Universe Where in the World are We?
  1. Describe your location in our universe.
The Sun and Other Stars A Closer Look at the Sun and Stars
  1. Why do stars seem so small?
  2. What is a star?
  3. Why do stars glow?
  4. Why can't we see stars during the day?
  5. What star is the closest to Earth?
  6. What are the physical characteristics of the sun?
The Sun and Other Stars Stars
  1. Why do stars appear to twinkle?
  2. What is a nebula?
  3. Describe the life of a star?
The Solar System The Solar System: Above and Beyond
  1. In your science notebook write a summary of this video.
Inner and Outer Planets The Planets Part 1
  1. What is a planet?
  2. What does it mean to orbit?
  3. What does it mean to rotate?
  4. What is an axis?
  5. What does the word planet mean?
  6. What do planets look like in the night sky?
  7. What is a moon?
  8. How have we learned about space?
  9. What is a dwarf planet?
Inner and Outer Planets The Planets Part 2
  1. What are the terrestrial planets?
  2. What are the Jovian planets?
  3. What is the largest terrestrial planet?
  4. What is the difference between the terrestrial and Jovian planets?
  5. What is an atmosphere?
The Inner Planets and Space Objects The Terrestrial Planets
  1. What are the terrestrial planets?
  2. What are the characteristics of the terrestrial planets?
The Inner Planets and Space Objects Asteroids
  1. What are asteroids?
  2. How are asteroids formed?
  3. Where are asteroids located?
The Outer Planets The Jovian Planets
  1. What are the Jovian Planets?
  2. What are the characteristics of the Jovian planets?
Natural Resources The Importance of Water on Earth
  1. What would the world be like without water?
  2. Why is water important?
Natural Resources Trees as Lumber and Food
  1. What do we use trees for?
  2. Why are trees important?
Natural Resources Our Natural Resources
  1. What are the natural resources described in this video?
  2. Why are natural resources important?
Renewable and Nonrenewable Fossil Fuels
  1. What are fossil fuels?
  2. What do they do?
  3. How are fossil fuels made?
  4. Why does natural gas result in less pollution?
  5. What do we use fossil fuels for?
Renewable and Nonrenewable Nonrenewable Resources
  1. What are nonrenewable resources?
  2. Give examples of nonrenewable resources?
Renewable and Nonrenewable Renewable Resources
  1. What are renewable resources?
  2. Give examples of renewable resources.
Conservation Conservation of Natural Resources
  1. After watching this video discuss what you learned about conservation of resources and write it down in your science notebook.
Conservation Conserving Energy
  1. What does it mean to conserve energy?
  2. What are ways you can conserve energy?

Module Suggested Read Aloud Books:

Take time to read to your student or have them read aloud to you. Read a different book each day. While reading the book point out concepts being taught. You may purchase these books or find them at your local library. Suggested things to discuss while reading the book:

  • What is the main idea?
  • What are three things new you learned?
  • How does this book relate to what you are learning about?

# Book Author Lexile Level
1 From the Universe to You Casey Harrison
2 The Universe Seymour Simon 980L
3 The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal Nick Seluk 560L
4 Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos Stephanie Ross Stisson AD760L
5 Our Solar System Seymour Simon
6 Stars Seymour Simon 910L
7 National Geographic Readers: Planets Elizabeth Carney 600L
8 Natural Resources Eco Facts Izzi Howell

Module Outing:

Take some time to apply what your student is learning to the real world. Suggested outings are below.

# Outing
1 Take your student to a planetarium to view a show on space.