Download te acher`s guide te acher`s guide

TEACHER’S GUI DE
TEACHER’S GUI DE
Suggested Print Resources
• Hans, Eva. Spinning Through Space Series: Constellations. Raintree
Publishers, Chicago, IL; 2001.
• Kerrod, Robin. Exploring the Universe:The Night Sky. Raintree Publishers,
Chicago, IL; 2002.
• Meachen Rau, Dana. Amazing Science: Spots of Light:A Book About Stars.
Picture Window Books, Minneapolis, MN; 2005.
Suggested Internet Resources
Periodically, Internet Resources are updated on our web site at
www.LibraryVideo.com
• starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/universe_level1/stars.html
NASA’s “Starchild” site is a learning center for young astronomers.
• www.kidsastronomy.com/
This astronomy web site is devoted to kids of all ages, featuring informative
descriptions of what to see in the night sky, challenging puzzles and an
experiment page, all geared towards exploring the mysteries and wonders
of our solar system.
Stars
• imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/lifecycles/stars.html
This site contains downloadable lesson plans, posters and activity booklets
for students of all ages. Black holes and the life cycle of the stars are
explained clearly.
Grades 2–5
TEACHER’S GUIDE
COMPLETE LIST OF TITLES
• THE EARTH
• THE INNER PLANETS
• THE MOON & OTHER OBJECTS
IN THE SKY
• THE OUTER PLANETS
Teacher’s Guides Included
and Available Online at:
• SPACE TRAVEL
• STARS
• STUDYING THE SOLAR SYSTEM
• UNDERSTANDING THE UNIVERSE
800-843-3620
Teacher’s Guide Copyright 2006 by Schlessinger Media,
a division of Library Video Company
P.O. Box 580, Wynnewood, PA 19096 • 800-843-3620
All rights reserved.
he Space Exploration: Adi in Space series includes
eight segmented space science programs that ask the
everyday questions many children have about the world
around them. Animations and space footage, along with
clear illustrations, explain some of the many mysteries in
the sky above our heads. Designed to reinforce fundamental concepts in Earth and Space science, viewing
these programs also stimulates children’s interest in the
scientific process and helps them grow comfortable asking questions of their own.
This guide provides a brief synopsis of the program, background on the science concepts presented in the show,
discussion topics, activities, vo c abulary and additional
resources.
T
Paula J. Bense
B.S., Biology, M.Ed., Elementary Education
Schlessinger Media Curriculum Specialist
V6786
Program Overview
Stars asks the following five questions about our Sun and all of its shining
counterparts. Space travelers Adi and Woops help viewers clearly answer each
question using computer graphics and space footage.
What are the signs of the zodiac?
The signs of the zodiac are twelve different groups of stars that are named
after animals or mythical creatures.They are constellations — patterns of
stars in the night sky — that appear to create outlines of pictures when
viewed from Earth.
How are stars born?
At first there are large clouds of gas and dust called nebulas.Then all of it is
pulled into the center of the cloud, where a core is formed.As it gets hotter, it
gets bigger until a star is formed! Stars are the primary providers of light and
heat in the galaxy, both of which are created explosively when hydrogen gas
turns into helium.The Sun is a medium-sized star that is very similar to all the
other stars in the universe.
How do stars die?
Throughout their lives, stars are constantly burning off hydrogen, the material
they are composed of, and sending energy into space.When there is little
hydrogen left, then they start to shrivel.Then they explode and finally, in the
majority of cases, end up as a little ball of ash.
What is a black hole?
A black hole is what’s left of an enormous star that has exploded and has
become an extremely heavy ball of matter that attracts and swallows up anything in its path, even planets and stars.A black hole doesn’t even let light
escape, which means it is always invisible.
How many stars are there in the universe?
There are thousands and thousands of billions of stars in the universe.We will
never be able to count all of them.They’re grouped into galaxies, each one of
which contains many millions of stars. Our galaxy is called the Milky Way.
Vocabulary
constellations — Patterns of stars in the night sky that appear to create outlines of pictures when viewed from Earth.
Proxima Centauri — After our sun, the star located closest to Earth, located
4.2 light-years away.
Sun — A medium-sized star and the center of our solar system that provides
our planet with light and heat.
nebula — A cloud of gas and dust in space where a star is formed.
galaxy — Billions of stars, gas and dust that are held together in space by
gravity.
Milky Way — All of the planets, stars and celestial bodies that are part of the
galaxy to which our solar system belongs.
gravity — A force that pulls any two objects together.
red giant — Stars that have exhausted their hydrogen fuel and are burning
helium and heavier elements.
(Continued)
white dwarf — The collapse of a medium-size star, like our Sun, into a very
small, very hot, dense body smaller than the Earth; occurs after the red giant
phase.
supernova — The explosion that occurs when a star burns its fuel too
quickly and releases its energy into space.
black hole — An invisible object in outer space formed when a massive star
collapses from its own gravity.A black hole has such a strong pull of gravity
that not even light can escape from it.
Discussion questions
1. How far away are the stars?
2.Why are some stars brighter than others?
3.What is the origin of the constellations, and why were they created?
4. Name three signs of the zodiac.
5.What are stars made of?
6.Why don’t we see stars during the day?
7.Why don’t we see stars every night?
8.What color are the hottest stars?
9.What color are the coolest stars?
10.Are all stars the size of our Sun?
11.Are all stars the same? If not, how are they different?
12.What makes stars shine?
13.What is a black hole?
Activities
• Studying the history and the mythology associated with the constellations
can be fascinating. Direct students to the “Star Art” pages of the Starchild
web site to explore some of the myths associated with four different constellations and use their imaginations to link each grouping of stars to a
story: starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/universe_level2/
javascript/star_art.html Then, have students draw illustrations of specific
constellations, paired with the historical explanations.
• Discuss with students why the brightest stars in the night sky are not necessarily the closest.Then, have students construct a model of a given constellation, using different sizes of marshmallows and craft sticks pressed
into foam to show that the stars making up the constellation are all different sizes and distances from one another, and are not a real grouping.
• Ask students to explain in 200 wo rds or fewer what a bl a ck hole is and to
s h a re their essays with the cl a s s . Demonstrate the effects of a bl a ck hole
with a latex balloon, a coffee cup, a one-inch steel ball bearing and some
small round beads. Cut the balloon into a flat sheet and tape it to the top of
the coffee cup.The cup and latex re p resent space-time.Then place some
small round beads on the surface, making sure to spread them over the
entire surface.The beads re p resent planets and other objects in space.
G e n t ly place the heavy ball bearing (the bl a ck hole) on the latex and
observe what happens to the rest of the matter in space-time. H ave students
repeat the ex p e riment using ball bearings of diffe rent mass and size.