Download Pathfinder for Solar System - Laura Ransom: DIGITAL PortFolio

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Heather Blackmon
Laura Ransom
LIBS 6014
April 8, 2014
Pathfinder for Solar System
Scope Statement: This Pathfinder will assist third grade teachers as they instruct students on
Earth and Environmental Science essential standard 3.E.1 (Recognize the major components and
patterns observed in the earth/moon/sun system) as well as Essential Standard 4.E.1 (Explain the
causes of day and night and phases of the moon). The essential standards and objectives are
outlined below:
3.E.1 Recognize the major components and patterns observed in the earth/moon/sun system.
3.E.1.1 Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the solar system that includes the sun (a star),
planets, and many moons and the earth is the third planet from the sun in our solar system.
3.E.1.2 Recognize that changes in the length and direction of an object’s shadow indicate the apparent
changing position of the Sun during the day although the patterns of the stars in the sky, to include the
Sun, stay the same.
4.E.1 Explain the causes of day and night and phases of the moon.
4.E.1.1 Explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of Earth on its axis.
4.E.1.2 Explain the monthly changes in the appearance of the moon, based on the moon’s orbit around the
Earth.
These objectives can be met using the sources provided. Third grade teachers teach science on a
rotating unit schedule alternating with Social Studies, so having these resources available will
better equip students in the short amount of time that teachers have. Students may use the
computers in the school library media center during their media time to research and further
elaborate on ideas. To assist students with special needs, screen reading software may be
enabled or a buddy can be assigned to ensure they are understanding concepts and completing
activities correctly.
Introduction: Third graders in North Carolina public schools cover space and the solar
system as a part of their science curriculum. The objectives ask students to understand the major
components of the solar system such as planets, moons and stars as well as the patterns the solar
system produces such as day and night. This pathfinder will provide numerous sources for
research on these concepts and also interactive websites that students can explore to get a better
understanding of ideas taught in class.
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Classification Numbers:
Examples of Library of Congress Classification numbers to browse: QB 520 (Sun), QB 611
(Mercury), QB 621 (Venus), QB 630 (Earth), QB 641 (Mars), QB 661 (Jupiter), QB 671
(Saturn), QB 681 (Uranus), QB 691 (Neptune), QB 701 (Pluto), QB 209 (Time)
Examples of Dewey decimal classification numbers to browse: 520 (Astronomy), 521 (Celestial
Mechanics), 522 (Techniques, Equipment, Materials), 523 (Specific Celestial bodies and
phenomena), 525 (Earth), 527 (Celestial Navigation), 629 (Engineering)
Subject Heading and Keywords:
Keywords to be used in searching include: solar system, space, planets, astronauts, NASA, sun,
moon, stars, galaxies, asteroids, meteoroids.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Class Q
Science
Subclass QB
Astronomy
QB 495-903
Descriptive Astronomy
Class Q
Science
Subclass QB
Astronomy
QB 140-237
Practical and Spherical Astronomy
Reference Sources:
Bibliographies:
Collections. (2014). Retrieved April 3, 2014, from http://airandspace.si.edu/
This website is put out by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. It has factual
information concerning the NASA program and the solar system in general. Students can browse
museum exhibits and read about historical events important to the space race.
EBSCO Host: eBook collection. (2014). Retrieved March 21, 2014, from
http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/search/basic?sid=e55b17dc-a3c6-437c-949d807e7741a70a@sessionmgr112&vid=1&tid=2003EB
This database is a collection of eBooks that students have access to through NC WiseOwl and
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EBSCO Host. Students are able to search for a topic or the solar system in general and find
books that they can read for more information.
Planets for kids: Solar system facts and astronomy. (2013). Retrieved January 10, 2014, from
http://www.planetsforkids.org/
Planets for Kids give students an in-depth look into planets and the solar system while also
presenting information on their level. The website allows students to research planets, stars,
moons and asteroids. There are extra activities including news articles, quizzes and coloring
pages. The pictures and graphics keep kids interested while the content helps them to find the
information they are seeking as well as provide extra information on the topic.
U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2014). Solar system exploration: Planets.
Retrieved April 3, 2014, from http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/index.cfm
This website is a research website that students can use to find information on the solar system.
Students can select to read about individual planets, asteroids, meteors, black holes or other solar
system related topics. Students can find up to date articles as well as videos that explain difficult
topics.
U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2014). Solar system exploration: Solar
system 101. Retrieved April 3, 2014, from
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids/index.cfm?Filename=nasakids
This website is a fun and interactive site for kids to explore the solar system and other concepts
associated with it. It has factual information for research as well as games students can play to
review concepts learned.
Scholastic. (2014). Happy birthday NASA! Retrieved April 3, 2014, from
http://teacher.scholastic.com/space/
This website is published by Scholastic and includes interesting information about the history of
the NASA program. It is in celebration of NASA's 50 birthday which was in 2008.
Biographical:
U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2014). NASA - Astronaut biographies.
Retrieved from http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/index.html
This site is a biographical database of astronauts, cosmonauts and other important people that
have made accomplishments in science concerning the solar system. Students can research
different individuals or pick from a list provided.
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Dictionaries:
Astronomy dictionary. (2014). Retrieved April 4, 2014, from
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/dictionary.htm.
This website is an astronomy dictionary where students are able to find the definition of words
pertaining to astronomy and the solar system. This would be beneficial to students learning
about the solar system and needing clarification on vocabulary words.
U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2013). Solar system exploration:
Dictionary lookup. Retrieved from http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/dictionary/
This is a dictionary supported by NASA that only includes vocabulary words that are related to
the solar system and space. There are hundreds of definitions that students have access to when
researching the solar system. Definitions range from simple words such as “Saturn” to more
complex words such as “bolide”.
Ridpath, I. (2012). A dictionary of astronomy. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 3 Apr.
2014 from
http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199609055.001.0001/acref9780199609055-e-3445.
This reference material covers most aspects of astronomy and touches on everything from space
exploration and the equipment involved, to astrophysics, cosmology, and the concept of time.
Various tables, diagrams and photographs are included as well as biographical entries about
astronomers and worldwide coverage of observatories and telescopes.
Science Kids. (2014, March 17). Easy space definitions. Retrieved April 4, 2014, from
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/space/definitions.html.
This website is another dictionary that has the definitions of words pertaining to the Solar
System. Students can access this site to discover definitions and examples of words learned in
class.
Encyclopedias:
Britannica School. (2014). Retrieved from http://school.eb.com/levels/elementary
Britannica School is a web based encyclopedia that students can access through their Media
homepage that provides research information. Students can use this source to search by planet or
vocabulary word, look up basic solar system information, or research a topic at a more in-depth
level. This encyclopedia also provides links to other content.
McFadden, L.-A. A., Weissman, P. R., & Johnson, T. V. (2007). Encyclopedia of the
solar system. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
The Encyclopedia of the Solar System provides a framework for understanding the origin and
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evolution of the solar system, historical discoveries, and details about planetary bodies and how
they interact. It provides an in-depth look at numerous topics pertaining to the solar system
including: the sun, the moon, planetary satellites, planetary rings, a history of the solar system
studies.
Moore, P. (2002). Astronomy encyclopedia. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
The Astronomy Encyclopedia has more than 3,000 organized articles with 500 photographs, star
maps and diagrams. Some article topics include: the Milky Way, sun and planets, stars, black
holes, space programs and famous astronomers.
Stewart, J. (1991). Moons of the solar system: An illustrated encyclopedia. Jefferson, N.C:
McFarland.
The entire first half of this encyclopedia focuses on the earth’s moon. The remainder describes
70 other known moons in the solar system with vital information such as: size, discovery date
and statistics as well as photographs of the various moons.
Geographical:
Greeley, R. (2002). The compact NASA atlas of the solar system. New York, NY: Cambridge
University Press.
This is an essential reference source of maps of every planet, moon, or small body investigated
by NASA missions. Over 150 maps, 214 color illustrations and charts are featured. This resource
could be considered the “road map” of the solar system and includes geological as well as
reference maps.
Kerrod, R. (1992). The children’s space atlas. Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press.
Children can use this atlas to discover the theories of cosmology and trace the history of space
travel and exploration. Descriptions of what scientists have learned from the missions of
Voyager, Explorer and Hubble telescope are included as well.
Government Documents:
U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2014). Solar system exploration:
Planetary decadal survey 2013-2022: The future of planetary science. Retrieved from
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/2013decadal/
This site is a government site established by NASA that discusses what the plans are for the
future of planetary science (exploring the solar system). Students can make predictions as to
what might happen in the future when concerning what scientist could create or discover based
on the plans that they now have.
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Indexes and Abstracts:
Talcott, R. (November 2012). How the solar system came to be. Searchasaurus. Retrieved April
3, 2014, from http://web.a.ebscohost.com/sas/search?sid=c334763a-1f59-4e97-8e090bcdec138670%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4106
This article discusses the formation of the Earth's solar system. The author notes that a
combination of detailed observations, improved theories, and robust computer simulation
suggests that the Sun formed in a nebula containing between 1-10,000 stars. Topics include
photographs of nebulae, the astrophysics of star formation, and the features of the Sun that
differentiate it from other stars, such as its size.
Ready Reference:
Pearce, Q.L.(2010). The science almanac for kids. Los Angeles, CA: Lowell House.
The Science Almanac for Kids is filled with the latest information on the world of science, and
provides biographic profiles and fun facts with illustrations, charts and tables and general
explanations, as well as hands-on experiments. While this resource covers various Science
topics, there is a large section dedicated to space and the solar system that is formatted
specifically for children to easily read and understand.