Middle Level Space Integrated Curriculum Unit

Rachel Hartmann
Technology: www.stellarium.org
6.ET.RL.1.1 Students use technology to locate, organize,
evaluate and analyze information.
Students will use Stellarium, a free source to explore the night
sky. This resource actually shows a live view of what the sky looks
like at any exact moment. This program includes a diagram of
constellations for 20 different cultures. Students will have a
chance to explore and then will chose a constellation to create a
narrative from for English.
English/Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.3: Write narratives to develop real or
imagined experiences or events using effective technique,
relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
Students will use the technology portion of this unit as they will
use Stellarium resource to find a constellation of their choice from
any of the 20 cultures. Students will use this constellation to write
a creative narrative about it.

Science:
http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2007/materials/solar_cookie.pdf
MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model to describe phenomena of
the Earth-sun-moon system and to describe the cyclic patterns of
lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.
This lesson will focus on the sun as students will create an edible
model of the sun. Students will study the sun and its features and
then decorate a cookie to represent each feature. First, red and
orange sprinkles to represent the photosphere. Next, they will use
mini chocolate chips to represent the sun spots and group them in
pairs as this is how sun spots appear. Finally, they will add licorice
to represent the solar flares the sun creates from the sun spots.

Field Trip:

I will be taking the students to the South Dakota Discovery Center

and they will experience the Star Lab. Here, students will be taken
into a dark blow up dome to lay down and view the stars.
Students will learn about both, Lakota and European
constellations and the stories behind each.

Social Studies/History:
K12.H.5
Students
will
develop

historical
research skills
K-12.H.2 Students will analyze and evaluate the impact of
people, events, ideas and symbols upon history using multiple
sources.
Students will be learning about different missions that Americans
have taken to space and where we are at with future missions to

Mars and other areas of space. Students will then research

famous astronauts or missions and create a presentation to share
with the class.

Math:
CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.3: Use ratio and rate reasoning to
solve real-world and mathematical problems, e.g., by reasoning
about tables of equivalent ratios, tape diagrams, double number
line diagrams, or equations.
The Scale Walk: Students will represent the solar system in a
down sized model and take a walk through town. Students will
calculate where each planet would be located on a size scale that
1 yard = 1 million miles and go to these spots around town. For
example, a scale of the Solar System in Aberdeen would start at
Holgate Middle School (the Sun) and end at Melgaard Park (Pluto).
Art:
VA:Cr2.1.6 Demonstrate openness in trying new ideas,
materials, methods, and approaches in making works of art and
design.
ARTsome Astronomy: Students create their own interpretation of
objects in space and use art to project what they see. Students
analyze planets, stars, and asteroids which will become
inspiration for their art.

Physical Education:
PE Standard 3: Students will participate in physical activity to
achieve and maintain a health enhancing level of physical fitness.
Students will play the space shuttle game. Students will be split
up into two teams. There will be space debris (balloons) spread
around the gym floor. Students will need to leave the space
shuttle one at a time with a robot arm (hockey stick) to gather the
debris into a container. Students are not allowed to use anything
but the hockey stick to gather the debris. Once one student
gathers a piece of debris, they will pass the robot arm to the next
person until all of it is collected. Then, they will close the
radioactive material and carry it, as a team, into a safe place on
the shuttle.
F.A.C.S.
I will purchase real food that astronauts are allowed to eat in
outer space and give students a chance to taste it. Then, students

will create their own Astronaut Pudding and watch a real

astronaut explain exactly how Astronauts Dine in Space.
http://www.feelslikehomeblog.com/2013/09/how-to-makeastronaut-pudding/