Download Earth is a part of a complex universe which humans continue to

Year 3 Learning Term 3, Weeks 1‐6 Unit of Inquiry: How The World Works An inquiry into the interaction between the natural world and its laws (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society Central Idea Earth is a part of a complex universe which humans continue to explore Lines of Inquiry 
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Characteristics of Planet Earth The connections between Planet Earth and the Universe How exploration has changed what we know about Space Concepts 
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Form Connection Change Subjects The Arts (Music, Visual Arts), Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, Language Overview This unit provides students with the opportunity to explore Earth as a planet, as well as other celestial bodies of the universe. By exploring Earth’s rotation, light and dark, seasons and tides, eclipses, atmosphere and Earth’s place in space, students will understand Earth’s interconnectedness with the Universe. Velocity, impact, gravity, and orbiting are scientific concepts to also be explored. Students will develop curiosities to frame personal inquiries about Space, and recognize the changing ways in which humans explore and learn about the Universe. They can be challenged by questions such as ‘Should more money be spent on Space exploration?’. Related learning experiences This unit brings a number of subject areas together, using the theme of the universe as a wonderful provocation for various styles of learning. Science: (Forces and Energy. Materials and Matter) The students will progress through the three lines of inquiry, beginning with an understanding of Earth as a planet, identifying ways in which it connects with Space and then considering how human exploration has evolved. This final line of inquiry focuses in on the Social Studies strand; Continuity and Change Through Time. Music: Students will consider the work of Gustav Holst, ‘The Planets’ as a means to experience the planets through the Arts. They will learn about what astrology is and its connection to their classroom inquiry as well as an influencing factor of Holst’s music. They will compose their own ‘space’ music. In Visual Arts, the students will use Google Earth software as a tool for finding interesting macro views (perspectives) of the Earth. Consideration will be given to composition in Art and connections between real world perspectives (views) and artistic representations. Students will then print / save images and manipulate them with oil pastel blends to create their own art representation of Earth. The students will also experience an artist study of Yanis Artuhs Bartiand, whose work is photographic representations of macro views of Earth. For Mathematics, this unit provides students with the opportunity to be exposed to larger numbers, read and interpret charts and tables that provide data about Space, and also explore measurement in connection to the mass of objects, speed and distance. Language: Not only will the students be drawing upon their reading and viewing skills to develop a knowledge base but they will apply their newly acquired knowledge and vocabulary when crafting informative texts. Transdisciplinary Skills Research Skills: Observation‐ using all their senses to carefully observe, particularly when participating in practical experiments and investigations Recording Data – Recording descriptions and observations by drawing , note‐taking, making charts and writing statements Attitudes Curiosity: Developing new interest in the world and beyond. To further their investigative thinking by asking how and why things happen/occur Learner Profile Thinker: Inquirer: Developing skills to conduct independent inquiry Developing an eagerness to ask and answer questions to fully understand new concepts How you can help at home Reading and sharing books about the Universe and Earth will help build an important foundation for your child’s learning. Spend time exploring the abundance of websites and videos about Space. These are some good examples: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html (NASA kids club) http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography‐for‐kids/0001‐hello‐earth.php (Planet Earth) Students are required to represent information in an increasing number of ways. Helping your child to create a table to place numeric and written information about an aspect of space, and developing skills for drawing diagrams with labels would be beneficial. Vocabulary The following words are not a list to learn in entirety, rather a list indicative of the language that students will be exposed to throughout the unit. It is important to provide them with a broad vocabulary base but to also support them in understanding the terms that they encounter through personal reading and inquiry. Space Vocabulary List
Asteroid: Small celestial bodies that orbit the sun mainly between Mars and Jupiter.
Astronaut: A person who travels in a spacecraft.
Astronomy: The study of heavenly bodies.
Atmosphere: The envelope of various gases that surrounds any heavenly body.
Axis: An imaginary straight line around which an object rotates.
Blast-off: The launch of a rocket or space vehicle.
Comet: A heavenly body that has a solid head with a long curved vapour trail.
Corona: The outside layer of the sun's atmosphere.
Constellation: A group of stars resembling and named after various characters from mythology. There are 88 constellations.
Crater: A depression on the ground in the shape of a bowl.
Equinox: The two times of the year when the length of night and day are approximately equal.
Gantry: A large vertical frame used to assemble and service rockets.
Interstellar: Between the stars.
Launching Pad: A platform from which a rocket or space vehicle is launched.
Light Year: The distance that light travels in one earth year.
Lunar Eclipse: The darkening of the surface of the moon caused when the Earth is positioned between the sun and the moon.
Meteoroid: A heavenly body that can be as small as a tiny stone or as big as an asteroid.
Meteorite: The solid part of a meteoroid that survives passing through the atmosphere.
Meteor: A glowing meteoroid as it passes through the earth's atmosphere.
Moon: A natural satellite revolving around a planet.
Orbit: The path of one heavenly body or man-made object as it moves around another.
Payload: The total weight of the crew, instruments and cargo carried by an aircraft, spacecraft or rocket.
Planet: A heavenly body that is illuminated by the star around which it revolves.
Rills: Remains of old possible river beds or streams on the surface of heavenly bodies.
Space Shuttle: A reusable space vehicle developed by the United States.
Satellite: A smaller body orbiting a planet.
Solar: Related to the sun.
Solar Eclipse: The partial or complete obscuring of the sun whenever the moon is positioned directly between the earth and the sun.
Star: A heavenly body composed of hot gases that emit radiation and light.
Telescope: A device made of lenses and mirrors permitting distant objects to be observed.
Telemetry: The transmission of data from a distant source to a receiving station.
Universe: All existing objects in space (galaxies, solar systems, planets, suns, moons, etc.).
Waning: A decrease in the amount of lighted surface as the moon passes from full moon to new moon.
Waxing: To show a progressively larger light surface, as the moon does in passing from new moon to full moon.