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This two-volume guide presents ingredients for developing a culturally relevant curriculum for American Indian students in the primary grades. A survey of Indian literature for young children yielded eight topic areas included here. The suggested approach to curriculum development is the integration of reading, language arts, math, and science based upon the Indian literature and other resources. Materials and activities are aligned with challenging content standards. Also included are ideas for art activities and promotion of tribal values. Indian studies classes and regular classes should be coordinated around the topic area so that Native language and cultural activities complement classroom instruction. The topic also provides a context for language instruction. Activities for parents and tutors are included as part of a comprehensive approach. The guide begins with descriptions of the roles of administrators, parents and tutors, and teachers and aides in creating a sacred place for learning. The eight units in these two volumes cover birds; sun, moon, and stars; food; beavers to buffalo; hares to horses; art; earth, air, water, and fire; and music and dance. Each 4-week unit contains background information on the topic, a suggested outline for formulating activities from American Indian literature, information about the suggested literature, further resources on the topic, a vocabulary list, content standards, example activities developed by teachers of Indian children, pages for teacher ideas and lesson plans, and nursery rhymes and poetry. A final section of the guide lists additional resources and where to get books. (SV)

This educator's guide discusses whether there is water on the planet Mars. The activities, written for grades 9-12, concern physical, earth, and space sciences. By experimenting with water as it changes state and investigating some effects of air pressure, students not only learn core ideas in physical science but can also deduce the water situation on Mars by applying those concepts. Evidence is used from their work as well as data and images from NASA missions to Mars to take a position on whether there was ever water on Mars. (MVL)

This teaching unit is designed to help students in grades 4-8 explore the concepts of geometry and measurement in the context of surveying planets. The units in this series have been developed to enhance and enrich mathematics, science, and technology education and to accommodate different teaching and learning styles. Each unit consists of a storyline presenting the context for the problems to be solved, lists of the mathematics and science concepts addressed, background notes for the teacher, a list of teacher resources, and an activity complete with blackline masters. Also included are suggestions for extensions to the problems and their relationship to national mathematics standards. The story line for this unit is students learning how engineers and scientists are using geometry and linear and angular measurements to survey Earth and Mars and how geometric shapes affect navigation. (MM)

This teaching unit is designed to help students in grades 4-8 explore the concepts of geometry in the context of space navigation. The units in this series have been developed to enhance and enrich mathematics, science, and technology education and to accommodate different teaching and learning styles. Each unit consists of a storyline presenting the context for the problems to be solved, lists of the mathematics and science concepts addressed, background notes for the teacher, a list of teacher resources, and an activity complete with blackline masters. Also included are suggestions for extensions to the problems and their relationship to national mathematics standards. The story line for this unit is students learning how engineers and scientists are using geometry and the solar system to navigate spacecraft to Mars. (MM)

These documents contain instructional materials for the Earth/Space Science curriculum designed by the Florida Department of Education. The student guide is adapted for students with disabilities or diverse learning needs. The content of Parallel Alternative Strategies for Students (PASS) differs from standard textbooks with its simplified text, small units, reduced vocabulary level, increased frequency of drill and practice, less cluttered format, and presentation of skills in small steps. There are 16 units, and each unit contains an overview, suggestions for enrichment, unit assessment, and keys. Units include: (1) "Introduction to the Scientific Process"; (2) "Map Reading"; (3) "The Universe and Solar System"; (4) "The Earth, the Moon, and the Sun"; (5) "Space Exploration"; (6) "Rocks and Minerals"; (7) "Mountains"; (8) "Plate Tectonics"; (9) "Geologic History and Fossils"; (10) "The Water Cycle"; (11) "Rivers"; (12) "Glaciers"; (13) "Weathering and Erosion"; (14) "The Atmosphere and Weather"; (15) "Energy Sources"; and (16) "Our Environment." The teacher's guide functions to develop and apply basic concepts of the earth and its environment. Selected laboratory experiments include the use of the scientific method, measurement, laboratory instruments, and safety procedures. (YDS)

This educator's guide discusses planetary geology. Exercises are grouped into five units: (1) introduction to geologic processes; (2) impact cratering activities; (3) planetary atmospheres; (4) planetary surfaces; and (5) geologic mapping. Suggested introductory exercises are noted at the beginning of each exercise. Each activity includes an introduction with instructor's notes, a blank exercise sheet which can be copied for classroom use, and an answer key to the exercise. Exercises include: (1) "Geologic Events on Earth"; (2) "Geologic Landforms Seen on Aerial Photos"; (3) "Geologic Landforms Seen on Stereoscopic Photos"; (4) "Impact Cratering"; (5) "Comparative Cratering Processes"; (6) "Impact Cratering on a Rainy Day"; (7) "Coriolis Effect"; (8) "Storm Systems"; (9) "Aeolian Processes"; (10) "Landform Mapping: The Terrestrial Planets"; (11) "Geologic Features of Mars"; (12) "Geologic Features of Venus"; (13) "Geologic Features of Outer Planet Satellites"; (14) "Planets in Stereo"; (15) "Introduction to Photogeologic Mapping"; (16) "Photogeologic Mapping of the Moon"; and (17) "Photogeologic Mapping of Mars". (MVL)

This educational guide concerns exploring the moon. Activities are divided into three units: Pre-Apollo, Learning from Apollo, and The Future. These correspond, at least roughly, to exercises that can be done before the Lunar Sample Disk (available from NASA) arrives to the school (Pre-Apollo), while it is there (Learning from Apollo), and after it has been returned to NASA (The Future). Activities include: (1) "Moon ABCs Fact Sheet"; (2) "Rock ABCs Fact Sheet"; (3) "Progress in Lunar Science Chart"; (4) "Nearside of the Moon--Apollo Landing Sites"; (5) "Distance to the Moon"; (6) "Diameter of the Moon"; (7) "Reaping Rocks"; (8) "The Lunar Disk"; (9) "Apollo Landing Sites"; (10) "Regolith Formation"; (11) "Lunar Surface"; (12) "Differentiation"; (13) "Impact Craters"; (14) "Clay Lava Flows"; (15) "Lava Layering"; (16) "Lunar Landing Sites"; (17) "Lunar Roving Vehicle"; (18) "Moon Anomalies"; (L9) "Lunar Land Use"; (20) "Life Support Systems"; and (21) "Lunar Biospheres". (MVL)

This program guide is meant to help teachers assist their students in viewing the six-part public television series, "Stephen Hawking's Universe." The guide features program summaries that give background information and brief synopses of the programs; previewing activities that familiarize students with the subject; vocabulary that gives definitions of the terms used in each program; postviewing activities that require students to use mathematics, research, and writing skills to examine issues and ideas discussed in the program; biographies of important figures in the history of cosmology; and Web sites on related topics. The first program in this series, "Seeing is Believing," shows the radical revisions that have taken place in cosmology over the last two thousand years. The second, "The Big Bang," describes the controversies surrounding the big bang theory. The third, "Cosmic Alchemy," examines theories concerning the evolution of matter. The fourth, "On the Dark Side," views the role that cold, dark matter plays in the universe. The fifth, "Black Holes and Beyond," discusses the enigmatic objects that result from a star's catastrophic gravitational collapse. The final program, "An Answer to Everything," examines scientists' attempts to develop a complete theory of how the universe works. (WRM)

This Solar System Puzzle Kit for grades 5-8, allows students to create an eight-cube paper puzzle of the solar system and may be duplicated for classroom use or used as a take home activity for children and parents. By assembling the puzzle, hand-coloring the bodies of the solar system, and viewing the puzzle's 12 sides, students can reinforce their knowledge of the many fascinating worlds that make up the solar system. In addition to puzzle pieces, the kit contains interesting facts about the Sun, each of the planets, asteroids, and comets. The resource section at the end of the publication provides sources to obtain additional resources on the solar system including those on the Internet.

This lesson plan for the second grade uses information on the solar system to provide science education for limited-English-proficient (LEP) students in San Diego, California. The lesson has been developed to be taught in a bilingual class, a Spanish-language immersion class, or a two-way bilingual class. Lessons are arranged so that native English speakers can assist the non-native speakers. The lesson unit is for one week, 25-30 minutes per day. Language levels include pre- and early production, speech emergence, and intermediate fluency. Instructional components are second language development, primary language instruction, specially designed academic instruction in second language, cross-cultural/self-esteem building, and parent/community involvement. Instructional objectives, unit goals, homework, and assessment are described. Included is a vocabulary development talking chart in English and Spanish. (NAV)

This guide provides students with experiences similar to those found in a space laboratory such as the space shuttle. The activities are geared towards recycling, developing the perspective of a conservationist, taking action on a personal level that contributes to a healthy atmosphere, and preparing informed citizens that are capable of making thoughtful decisions about environmental issues. Background material is provided about exploration of the sun, the earth's atmosphere, and the interaction between the two systems. A chronology of the ATLAS mission is included with a rationale provided for the pursuit of space exploration. (DDR)

The United States has explored the solar system with automated spacecraft and human-crewed expeditions that have produced a quantum leap in our knowledge and understanding of the solar system. Through the electronic sight and other "senses" of our automated spacecraft, color and complexion have been given to worlds that for centuries appeared to eyes on Earth as fuzzy disks or indistinct points of light and dozens of previously unknown objects have been discovered. Following a categorical listing of 41 NASA unmanned spacecraft launched between 1959 to 1990, this NASA publication contains numerous photographs and presents factual summaries of the following: (1) the evolution of automated spacecraft; (2) current knowledge about the Sun including information on spacecraft that visited the Sun and future solar missions; (3) conditions on Mercury, especially information that was learned from the Mariner 10 spacecraft; (4) information on Venus as gleaned from Mariner 2, Mariner 5, the Pioneer Venus Orbiter, the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe, and Magellan spacecraft; (5) information about the Earth as learned from trips into space; (6) information about the moon, the Apollo program, and theories on the origin of the moon; (7) detailed information on Mars including information from spacecraft on its topography, prospects for harboring extraterrestrial life, and its two moons Phobos and Deimos; (8) research on asteroids and the results of meteoroid collisions with the earth; (9) data gathered on Jupiter and its moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto; (10) data on Saturn and its rings; (11) information on Uranus, its numerous icy moons including Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, and Titania; (12) information on Neptune and its moons including Proteus and Nereid; (13) data concerning Pluto our most distant planet and its one moon Charon; and (14) information on the composition and orbits of comets including Halley's comet. A pictorial summary chart gives further information on the planets including mean distance from the sun, relative size, periods of revolution and rotation, inclination, eccentricity, and composition of their atmospheres. (PR)

Explains the design of a planetarium that can be used by middle school teachers to teach earth science concepts such as the solar system, the lunar cycle, and seasons. Includes materials and procedures for making the planetarium. (SOE)

Introduces a lesson plan on astronomy and scientific research. Explains how astronomers conduct research and the detection methods they use. Provides demonstrations and ideas for students to build a giant model of the solar system. (YDS)

Reviews scientific evidence for the age of the earth, solar system, galaxy, and universe instead of following creationist beliefs about the history of Earth, the universe, and Earth's biota. (ASK)

Presents a lesson on the scale of the solar system that focuses on measurement, exponential notation, proportionality, and ratios. (Contains 17 references.) (Author/ASK)

Introduces an activity involving Orson Welles' radio broadcast of the "War of the Worlds" to teach concepts on planets. Provides a lesson plan for grades 5-8 on "War of the Worlds". (YDS)

Describes events that occur during an eclipse. Finds that the solar eclipse provides a tremendous opportunity for teaching about the earth and beyond in content. (Author/CCM)

This booklet provides information and five worksheets for elementary students studying the solar system. Fact sheets provide information on the sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars, asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and comets. The worksheets are entitled: (1) Astronomical Unit; (2) Solar System Trivia; (3) Solar System Flash Cards; (4) Solar System Crossword; and (5) Solar System Word Search. (PR)

This booklet was designed to supplement existing classroom studies on the subject of the solar system at the primary level. Science and mathematics activities for studying moons, planets, and space craft are presented. (PR)

Provides an overview of curricular and instructional adaptations, modifications, and methods that have been used to provide science instruction to students with learning disabilities. Strategies are described within the context of a textbook-based unit on the solar system. (Author/DB)

Presents a rationale for acknowledging the importance of movement to learning to help children understand abstract concepts. Includes seven activities that employ movement to enable students to understand the nature of the solar system. (DDR)

Defines terrestrial and Jovian planets and provides directions to obtain planetary data from the National Space Science Data Center Web sites. Provides "number-crunching" activities for the terrestrial planets using Texas Instruments TI-83 graphing calculators: computing volumetric mean radius and volume, density, ellipticity, speed, surface gravity, escape velocity, and eccentricity of orbit. Outlines nine additional activities. (PEN)

Describes a method that students can use to build portable planetariums. After building the models, students are familiar with the names of constellations and major stars and are able to share their projects with other students. (DDR)

The material in this book was devised in answer to a need expressed by many teachers, especially in primary (elementary) schools, for support in the teaching of astronomy. These projects and activities are aimed at fulfilling the requirements of the National Curriculum in England and Wales and the 5-14 Guidelines in Scotland. Each activity gives practical ideas to begin and then some leading questions with which to open discussions within the class. Most of the activities have accompanying worksheets that are reproducible. Many cross-curricular themes are present linking with geography (time-zones, continents and poles), mathematics (distances and scales), and art and drama. Addresses of suitable suppliers of videos, slides, and posters are listed at the end of the book. Sample topics include the connection of the sun to seasons, shadows and time, phases of the moon, star patterns in the sky, the solar system, the sun as a star, mythology, and places to visit. A glossary, a book list, and a "science" play based on Snow White called "Astra Alba and the 6(+1) Quarks" is also included. (PVD)

Describes how to fit binocular observations of the planets to a theoretical model of circular orbits using a modern computer spreadsheet, from which fundamental data about the solar system may be deduced. (AIM)

Describes how a spreadsheet is used to fit a circular orbit model to observations of Jupiter's moons made with a small telescope. Kepler's Third Law and the inverse square law of gravity are observed. (AIM)

Describes an excursion that effectively helps students visualize the earth's immense size and numerous structures without the usual scale and ratio distortions found in most textbooks and allows students to compare their body's height to a scaled-down earth. (JRH)

Shows how a common demonstration that consists of slowly heating sulfur powder in a test tube to illustrate sulfur's allotropic modifications can convince students of conclusions about the moon Io which they often find surprising. Describes the demonstration in full. (Author/MM)

Describes an activity in which students use a bathroom scale and a long board to see how their weight changes on other planets and the moon. Materials list, procedures, tables of planet radii, comparative values, and gravitational ratios are provided. (DDR)

Presents information about making a scale model of Jupiter and its system of moons. (MKR)

Describes interesting problems encountered when building a model of the solar system in an elementary classroom. Uses mathematics and technology to help solve problems and answer questions. Finds that investigating misconceptions can lead to exciting science lessons. (NB)

This 23-minute videotape takes children, grades K-4, on a tour of the nine planets of our solar system and explains vital statistics and interesting facts about each. Key terms such as rotation, revolution, and orbit, are explained. A hands-on activity that can be used to demonstrate how Saturn's moons actually create its beautiful rings is also presented. This program is based on the concepts outlined in the National Science Education Content Standards for Earth Science: Properties of Earth Materials, Objects in the Sky, and Changes in Earth and Sky. (WRM)

This 23-minute videotape aims to give children, grades K-4, a broad understanding of the center of our solar system, the sun. It explains how the sun provides us with life-giving light and heat, how it's responsible for our seasons and weather, and why it's the primary source of energy on Earth. A hands-on activity in which children create their own solar oven is presented. This program is based on the concepts outlined in the National Science Education Content Standards for Earth Science: Properties of Earth Materials, Objects in the Sky, and Changes in Earth and Sky. (WRM)

This 23-minute videotape features information, for children in grades K-4, about stars including their composition, brightness, and location. How stars are formed, why they seem to move across our sky, and how humans have used their patterns to form the constellations are discussed. A hands-on activity related to the reflecting telescope is also presented. This program is based on the concepts outlined in the National Science Education Content Standards for Earth Science: Properties of Earth Materials, Objects in the Sky, and Changes in Earth and Sky. (WRM)

This videotape recording ponders the wonders of the stars, the solar system, galaxies, and black holes. Students explore questions about the universe including How was it formed?, How big is it?, and How can we explore the far reaches of the universe? Students also learn about light years and the electromagnetic spectrum, and take a close look at a gamma ray telescope. A hands-on activity demonstrates why it seems dark in space even though there are billions of stars. Contents include a teacher's guide designed to help science teachers in grades 5-8 by providing a brief synopsis of the program, pre-viewing and follow-up questions, activities, vocabulary, and additional resources. (CCM)