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Invitation:
Students will be asked, "How do you think the stars were formed?"  Students will be asked, "Can anyone explain the Big Bang Theory?

Situations:
Big Bang Theory and Key Constellations activities will take place in the classroom.  Accessing the World Wide Web will consist of using the Computer Lab.  The time period for the length of the lesson will be three one hour class periods.

Tasks:
Students will use a balloon filled with flour, which will be popped against a black plastic background to simulate the Big Bang of the Universe.  Also, students will use Glow in the Dark plastic stars to create star constellations on the wall.  Students will use the Internet to access different web sites to research Key Constellations.  On a clear evening, students should go outside with an adult to locate the Key Constellations for the current season.

Interactions:
Students will work in groups of four and will be encouraged to talk and work among themselves.  Instructor will give minimal instructions to the students.  It will be up to the students to initiate interactions by asking pertinent questions about the activities.

Standards:
Students will be able to identify “Key Constellations” in the night sky.  Students will use constellations and star magnitude to locate Mars and other planets in the night sky.  Lesson plan addresses the Arizona State Standards in Science.  Standard 1: Science As Inquiry: students understand and use the processes of scientific investigation and scientific ways of knowing.  They are able to design, conduct, describe and evaluate these investigations.  They are able to understand and apply concepts that unify scientific disciplines.  1SC – E1 PO2, PO3
Standard 6: students understand the composition, formative processes, and history of the earth, the solar system and the universe.  6SC – E1 PO1,  6SC – E2 PO1, PO2

Assessments:
The success of the lesson will be evaluated by the students’ ability to locate “Key Constellations” using star charts.  Lessons and assessments are written to reflect Arizona State Standards in Science.

Tools:
Computer technology will be integrated into the lessons by using Starry Night software to let the students access the night sky in real time, which will enhance the students learning.  Also, students will be required to create a StoryBoard cartoon using Microsoft Word and the Drawing Toolbar to reinforce the lesson on "Key Constellations."
 Big Bang Theory:
Computer with Internet access
Starry Night software
Two nine inch balloons
One black garbage bag
One pushpin
Two tablespoons of flour
Key Constellations:
Four pieces of black construction paper
Four copies of star constellations chart
100 glow in the dark stars (Make-up four constellation ahead of time)
One pack HANDI-TAK
One copy of The Stars  H. A. Rey
One copy of Find The Constellations  H. A. Rey
One overhead projector

Project :
Students will realize that planets move across the heavens while stars remain in a fixed position.  Students will create “Key Constellations” using Glow In The Dark Stars to help them understand the night sky.

Procedure:
Big Bang Theory:
1. Assemble students around a desk.
2. Begin explaining the Big Bang Theory.
3. Spread out garbage bag on desk.  Tell students the bag represents the vastness of the universe.
4. Blow-up balloon and tell students that it represents all the matter in the universe at the beginning of the universe.  (Add one tablespoon of flour to balloon before blowing up).
5. Ask for two volunteers, one to hold the balloon and one to pop the balloon.
6. Pop the balloon and tell the students to notice how all the matter spread out over the universe and that our solar system is just a speck on the bag.
Key Constellations:
1. Divide the students into four groups, so that each group will focus on one of the “Key Constellations”.
2. Pass out four copies of star constellations and four pieces of black construction paper.  (Assign students a Constellation).
3. Have students open their glowing stars package and study their constellation, and recreate the constellation using HANDI-TAK to stick the stars to the wall.
4. Have groups take turns naming their constellation and then turn off the lights, so the rest of the class can see the images.
5. Cleanup and return materials to activity desk.
6. Class discussion on how stars stay in fixed positions and that astronomers use the position of fixed stars to locate planets.  This is important as we are looking for Mars in the night sky.
7. Class will be required to produce a StoryBoard cartoon using Microsoft Word and the Drawing Toolbar.

URLs:
http://www.jackstargazer.com/JHSG_DNLD.html
Jack Horkhiemer explains the night sky
http://www.learnwhatsup.com/astro/
Link to star charts
http://www.mystarslive.com/
Link to star charts
http://www.wa.gov.au/perthobs/astronews.html
Newsletter from Perth Observatory
http://www.nasa.gov/
NASA space agency web site
 
 

A link to the U of A Library -  http://www.arizona.edu/shared/libraries.shtml#libraries
A link to the ASU library (main campus) - http://www.asu.edu/lib/
A link to the NAU library at the Cline Library. Flagstaff, AZ - http://www.nau.edu/library/
A link to articles about telecommunication crimes - http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/html/cpu-cri.htm
A link to Assistive technology in the K-12 classroom - http://www.bcpl.lib.md.us/~adorich/index.htm
A link to articles about copyright laws - http://www.fplc.edu/tfield/copynet.htm
A link to articles about freedom of speech via the Internet - http://www.ciec.org/
A link to technology in the curriculum - http://edweb.gsn.org/stories.intro.html

http://www.schwablearning.org/
A parent's guide to helping Kids with Learning Differences
http://www.cast.org/
A not for profit organization that uses technology to expand opportunities for all people, including those with disabilities.
http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp
The International Dyslexia Association
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
Americans with Disabilities Act Home Page
http://www.ldonline.org/
The leading Web site on learning disabilities

http//:www.geocites.com/Athens/Styx/2967/teaching.html
Lesson plans, general teaching sites and tools to aid in teaching.
http://www.usgs.gov/
Excellent science lesson plans
http://www.edhelper.com/
Crosswords, Math Sheets, Reading Lessons
http://www.abcteach.com/
Printable worksheets for student teachers
http://www.ed.gov/
U.S. Department of Education.
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/publicschool/
You can explore the American Public Education System.
http://www.edgate.com/
Internet for research.
http://www.mhln.com/
Preview textbooks and sample lesson plans.
http://www.abcteach.com/
Offers educational help for teachers, students, and parents regarding student progress.
http://www.middleschool.net/
A web site built by teachers for teachers.
http://dnie.com/
This web site offers weekly lesson plans intended for using newspapers and other public information periodicals for educational purposes.
http://www.proteacher.com/
This site offers interaction for the student and teacher.  Teachers can communicate with one another to generate ideas for their classroom in Social Study, Math etc.  Parents can voice their opinions and visit with other parents, teachers, and children.  Students can get extra help on homework.
http://www.dogpile.com
This search engine is great When you find the right words, you can search over 300,000,000 search engines at one time. This site has been a big help with every class that I needed to find information quick and fast.
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/
It has great lesson Science plans for teachers and parents.
http://dir.lycos.com/Reference/Education/
Answers any question about education.
http://www.educationindex.com/
Annotated guide to the best links on the web for educators.
http://wwww.google.com
Search engine
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceSSMars1IntroSolar56.htm
This is a link to an introduction for a thematic unit showing what would be involved to colonize Mars. It is
targeted for 5th and 6th graders
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceSSMars1IntroSolar56.htm
This is a lesson plan on the most heavenly bodies of the solar system.