rocketboystoolkit

 

Rocket Boys Toolkit

Page history last edited by terri.kirk@... 1 yr ago

 

 
One Book, One Campus, One Community

Resources for students in grades K-12

 

 

Elementary Ideas
 
Core Content
  • Early Primary
SC-EP-2.3.3
Students will describe the properties, locations and real or apparent movements of objects in the sky (Sun, moon).
 
Objects in the sky have properties, locations and real or apparent movements that can be observed and described. Observational data, patterns and models should be used to describe real or apparent movements.
DOK 2
 
SC-EP-2.3.4
Students will describe the movement of the sun in the sky using evidence of interactions of the sun with the earth (e.g., shadows, position of sun relative to horizon) to identify patterns of movement.
 
Changes in movement of objects in the sky have patterns that can be observed and described. The Sun appears to move across the sky in the same way every day, but the Sun’s apparent path changes slowly over seasons. Recognizing relationships between movements of objects and resulting phenomena, such as shadows, provides information that can be used to make predictions and draw conclusions about those movements.
DOK 2
 
SC-EP-2.3.5
Students will understand that the moon appears to move across the sky on a daily basis much like the Sun. The observable shape of the moon can be described as it changes from day to day in a cycle that lasts about a month.
 
  • 4th Grade
SC-04-2.3.4
Students will identify patterns, recognize relationships and draw conclusions about the Earth-Sun system by interpreting a variety of representations/models (e.g., diagrams, sundials, distance of sun above horizon) of the sun’s apparent movement in the sky.
 
Changes in movement of objects in the sky have patterns that can be observed, described and modeled. The Sun appears to move across the sky in the same way every day, but the Sun’s apparent path changes slowly over seasons. Data collected can be used to identify patterns, recognize relationships and draw conclusions about the Earth and Sun system.
DOK 3
 
SC-04-2.3.5
Students will understand that the moon appears to move across the sky on a daily basis much like the Sun. The observable shape of the moon can be described as it changes from day to day in a cycle that lasts about a month
 
  • 5th Grade
SC-05-2.3.4
Students will:
·    analyze global patterns of atmospheric movement;
·    explain the basic relationships of patterns of atmospheric movement to local weather.
 
Global patterns of atmospheric movement can be observed and/or analyzed by interpreting patterns within data. Atmospheric movements influence local weather. Oceans have a major effect on climate, because water in the oceans holds a large amount of heat. Related data can be used to predict change in weather and climate.
DOK 3
 
SC-05-2.3.5
Students will compare components of our solar system, including using models/representations that illustrate the system.
 
Earth is the third planet from the Sun in a system that includes the moon, the Sun, eight other planets and their moons, and smaller objects. The Sun, an average star, is the central and largest body in the solar system. Models/diagrams provide understanding of scale within the solar system.
DOK 2
 
Websites and Classroom Activities
  2. Geological Society of America Elementary Space Science http://www.geosociety.org/educate/LessonPlans/E_space.htm
  3. Challenger Center for Space Science Education http://www.challenger.org/
  11. Space Store Free Education Resources http://www.thespacestore.com/chceforspsce.html
 
Books
  1. Don’t Know Much About the Solar System by Kenneth C. Davis (Don’t Know Much About Series)
  2. The Planets in Our Solar System by Franklyn M. Branley (Let’s Read and Find Out Science Series)
  3. The Solar System by Carmen Bredeson (Rookie Read About Science Series)
  4. The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole (Magic School Bus Series)
  5. Postcards from Pluto: a Tour of the Solar System by Loreen Leedy
  6. There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System by Tish Rabe (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library Series)
  7. Fascinating Fact: Solar System by Jane Walker
  8. Me and My Place in Space by Joan Sweeney
  9. Spinning in Space: a Book About the Planets by Dana Rau
  10. Why Isn’t Pluto a Planet: a Book About Planets by Steve Kortenkamp
  11. Where are the Stars During the Day? by Melvin Berger
  12. Across the Solar System by Rod Theodorou
  13. Amazing Solar System Projects You Can Build Yourself by Delano Lopez
  14. And Then There Were Eight: Poems About Space by Laura Purdie Salas
  15. Sun Is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch
  16. If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty
  17. Mission to Mars by Franklyn Branley
  18. Discover the Planets by Cynthia Nicolson
  19. Planets by Gail Gibbons
  20. Reaching for the Moon by Buzz Aldrin
  21. Night Wonders by Jane Peddicord
  22. Planets! By Lisa Rudy
  23. Footprints on the Moon by Alexandra Siy
  24. Destination: Space by Seymour Simon
  25. Experiments with the Sun and Moon by Salvatore Tucci
  26. Mysteries in Space by Rosanna Hansen
  27. Hands on Projects with Earth and Space by Krista West
  28. DK Guide to Space by Peter Bond
  29. Kingfisher Facts and Records Book of Space by Clive Gifford
  30. Space Exploration by Carol Stott
 
ORQs
  1. visit the McCracken County Public Schools Open Response Question bank at http://www.mccracken.k12.ky.us/miscellaneous/OpenResponse/ORQMainPage05-06.htm and click on “Science” and then “Elementary”—scroll through each grade to find appropriate questions
  2. visit the Jefferson County Open Response Item Bank at http://fmpweb1.jefferson.k12.ky.us/OpenResponseBank/FMPro?-db=OpenResponseBank.fp5&-lay=web&-format=search.htm&-view and in the keyword search box, enter “solar system”
  3. visit the Clark County Public Schools Open Response Database at http://teach.clarkschools.net/curriculumresources/#Fifth%20Grade and look under the column “Open Response Title” for questions dealing with the moon, solar system, planets, and universe
 
Multimedia
  1. All About the Solar System DVD by Educational Video Network
  2. Astronomy Video Quiz DVD by Sunburst Visual Media
  3. Closer Look at Earth DVD with Teacher’s Guide by 100% Educational Videos
  4. Closer Look at the Planets DVD with Teacher’s Guide by 100% Educational Videos
  5. Discover Magazine: The Solar System DVD with Teacher’s Guide by Discovery Channel
  6. Exploring Space: Our Solar System DVD by Sunburst Visual Media
  7. Liftoff Into Space DVD by Discovery Education
  8. Our Solar System DVD by Mazzarella Productions
  9. Bill Nye the Science Guy Planets DVD by Disney Educational Products
  10. Solar System and Stars DVD by SVE/Churchill
 
 

Here are some ideas of ways to use the novel Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam in your classroom.

 

 

1. Interdisciplinary unit for Rocket Boys by Kris Anderson

 

Course overview:

A novel study integrating core content subjects areas in an interdisciplinary unit where students will experience the underlying themes of space exploration, following your dreams, literary elements, and mining results in relation to the novel Rocket Boys.

 

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/uploads/images/cms_pdfs/rocket-boys-unit-plan.pdf

 

2. Reading Group Toolbox from the Homer Hickam Official site

 

http://www.homerhickam.com/groups/toolbox.shtml

 

3. Activities for various core content areas.

 

Reading Practice Quiz on Accelerated Reader -21 points

 

 

English/Language Arts

 

Mr. Hickam’s book is based on his experience growing up and not wanting to follow his father’s footsteps in the coal-mining career. As a writing exercise, have your student write about their own decisions in their future careers based on their parent’s occupations when they were growing up.

 

Personal Expressive writing

Reflective writing

 

Science

 

Rocket Boys is set in late 1950s and 60s. Create a timeline of influential political leaders, events, inventions, or important dates that happened during this time frame. Be sure to include NASA events. This should be a creative exercise in which the student decides to put in the timeline.

 

2.2 Students identify, analyze, and use patterns such as cycles and trends to understand past and present events and predict possible future events.

 

2.4 Students use the concept of scale and scientific models to explain the organization and functioning of living and nonliving things and predict other characteristics that might be observed.

 

2.6 Students understand how living and nonliving things change over time and the factors that influence the changes.

 

English/Language Arts

 

Homer Hickam, the author of Rocket Boys, has published several different articles on how he came to write the book and his thoughts on his proud finished product. Research different book reviews of Rocket Boys and combine them in an over all analysis.

 

Literary Writing

 

 

English/Language Arts

 

Compose a letter to an amateur rocketeer introducing your self and asking at least three questions about rockets and their career. Please include your most curious question about rockets to make the letter more personable and creative.

 

Transactive Writing

Idea/Development Support

 

English/Language Arts

 

Miss Riley was a significant character in the book Rocket Boys. She is the teacher that helped Sonny and his friends get enrolled in the advanced math classes they needed for rocketry. Think about a teacher who influenced you to pursue a career and create an appreciation page for them and their efforts.

 

Reflective Writing

Idea/Development Support

 

Science

 

Research two coal mines in Western Kentucky and conduct personal interviews with an employee there via email, telephone, or face to face. Interviews should include basic questions about daily operations, community involvement, and the field of coal-mining.

 

2.3 Students identify and analyze systems and the ways their components work together or affect each other

 

2.4 Students use the concept of scale and scientific models to explain the organization and functioning of living and nonliving things and predict other characteristics that might be observed.

 

2.5 Students understand that under certain conditions nature tends to remain the same or move toward a balance.

 

 

Science

 

NASA is offering limited tickets to people who want to view the next rocket launch. Write a letter to NASA explaining why you would like to attend the launch and what you already know about rocket science.

 

2.1 Students understand scientific ways of thinking and working and use those methods to solve real-life problems.

 

2.3 Students identify and analyze systems and the ways their components work together or affect each other

 

2.5 Students understand that under certain conditions nature tends to remain the same or move toward a balance.

 

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