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How much of the topic is taught at 5th Grade? In how much depth is it addressed?

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How much of the topic is taught at 5th Grade? In how much depth is it addressed?

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The position and motion of the earth reveal patterns of daily changes in the length and direction of shadows, and day and night (HM, MS, MB, KM).

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How is it sequenced in the curriculum at 5th Grade?Does your topic have multiple components?

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How is it sequenced in the curriculum at 5th Grade?Does your topic have multiple components?

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Starting the lesson: students will learn that the orbit of Earth around the sun and of the moon around Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis between its North and South poles, causes observable patterns.
Then, the students will learn about the first pattern that this creates which is changes of the length and direction of shadows.

Lastly, students will learn the next pattern that this creates is day and night patterns including the number of hours of daylight and how they vary (HM, MB).

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In this Padlet, we will be examining how teachers introduce Space Systems to their students in 1st grade and how their teaching strategies and methods adapt to better fit the needs and capabilities of students in 5th grade (MS).

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In how much depth is each topic is addressed?

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In how much depth is each topic is addressed?

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The amount of the topic that is taught at each level varies due to the differences in development in each grade level. The fifth graders will be taught in greater depth than first graders and be expected to learn at a faster pace than fifth graders (HM).

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How much of the topic is taught at 1st Grade? In how much depth is it addressed?

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How much of the topic is taught at 1st Grade? In how much depth is it addressed?

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The sun, earth, and moon have an apparent motion in the sky that can be observed. The earth rotates on its axis and also is on a tilt as it rotates around the sun. The tilt causes seasons by its difference of intensity of sunlight on different areas of Earth across the year. (HM, MS, MB, KM)

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How is it sequenced in the curriculum at 1st Grade? Does your topic have multiple components?

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How is it sequenced in the curriculum at 1st Grade? Does your topic have multiple components?

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Before starting the lesson the first component is to teach the students what the sun, earth and moon is.

At the start of the lesson students will learn about the relationship of the sun, earth and the moon and where they are in relation to each other.

Then, the students will learn that the axis is the imaginary line through the earth that extends from the North Pole to the South Pole. It takes 24 hours to complete one rotation, which is why there are 24 hours in one day.

Lastly, students will learn that the earth has seasons because its axis is tilted. Earth's axis is always pointed in the same direction, so different parts of Earth get the Sun's direct rays throughout the year. For example, in summer, the Sun's rays hit that region more directly than at any other time of the year (HM, KM).

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What topics might need to precede and follow your topic at 1st Grade?

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What topics might need to precede and follow your topic at 1st Grade?

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A following topic would be on the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system. This topic focuses on the planets, moon and asteroids that orbit the sun, and how they are held in orbit by gravitational pull. Students will learn what gravity is and how the gravitational pull works to keep planets in orbit, using their previous knowledge of the Earth, sun and moon model. (KM)

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What topics might need to precede and follow your topic at 5th Grade?

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What topics might need to precede and follow your topic at 5th Grade?

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A fifth grade following topic would be on the scale and proportion of the sun, the stars, and the relative distances from Earth. This topic covers how the apparent brightness of the sun and stars is related to their distances from the Earth. Students will apply their previous knowledge of the positioning and motion of the Earth and planets when learning about the positioning of the sun and stars, and how this positioning affects the apparent brightness. (KM)

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What kinds of activities would you use to support your topic at 5th Grade?

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What kinds of activities would you use to support your topic at 5th Grade?

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For this activity, students will be able to visualize how the length and direction of shadows change throughout the day. Using chalk, have students go outside and draw an “x” where they are standing. Then, have a partner trace the students shadow from where they are standing and write down the time of day. Repeat this two more times at different times of the day, standing on the same “x” they drew earlier. This will demonstrate to the students that their own shadows will have different lengths and directions at different times of the day (MS, HM, MB, KM).

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5th Grade Activity- Drawing Shadows Activity

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5th Grade Activity- Drawing Shadows Activity

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What developmental differences in students need to be addressed at 1st Grade?

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What developmental differences in students need to be addressed at 1st Grade?

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When children are 6 years old, they can be very selfish and seek to be the center of attention as much as possible. First graders have a lot of energy which can lead them to be antagonistic towards their parents, teachers and peers. At this young age, children also tend to be very attached to their teacher since they are lacking knowledge, confidence, and comfort (MS).

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What developmental differences in students need to be addressed at 5th Grade?

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What developmental differences in students need to be addressed at 5th Grade?

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When children are 10 years old, they begin to have a positive attitude to both the problems they face and the world around them. Fifth graders are better listeners and more responsible than first graders. They develop an acceptance and respect for others as well as themselves. At this age, students are very capable of working independently as well as in groups (MS).

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What kinds of activities would you use to support your topic at the 1st grade level? 

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What kinds of activities would you use to support your topic at the 1st grade level? 

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DIFFERENT SEASONS ACTIVITY - For this activity, the teacher will demonstrate how the sun and Earth work together to make different seasons. By using a flashlight as the sun and a globe as the earth the students will be able to see the different seasons based on the position of the Earth and the sun (light). The students will be able to see all four seasons in North America and with the chart provided to them in the beginning of the lesson, they can mark which season they believe the teacher is showing.
3D MODEL - Using styrofoam, sticks, and styrofoam balls, students will be able to get creative and make a 3D model of the Earth, sun, and moon in relation to each other. The materials will be provided to the students by the teacher and they will be able to make the choice of either taking their projects home to their families or hanging them up inside of the classroom.
(HM, MS, KM, MB)

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1st Grade Activity - Flashlight Showing the Different Seasons

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1st Grade Activity - Flashlight Showing the Different Seasons

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How do these developmental differences impact what you teach and how you teach it?

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How do these developmental differences impact what you teach and how you teach it?

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From these developmental characteristics of first graders, it is important to adapt our teaching strategies to best fit both our students’ needs and interests.
1. One way we can adjust our teaching is to have the students work as a group, rather than independently, because they do not have the capability of working alone just yet.
2. Another way we can adjust our teaching is to simplify our lesson and its vocabulary as much as possible since solar systems is a relatively new and semi-difficult topic for six-year olds.
3. One last way we can adjust our teaching is to engage our students’ interest and understanding of the topic by creating a model together as a class. This could help the students work on their creativity skills as they all contribute to the model. This could also help with their social skills as they learn to work with and respect their peers. Lastly, the children can improve their comprehension of what the sun, Earth and moon look like and how the three of them move and interact in outer space (MS, MB).

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How do these developmental differences impact what you teach and how you teach it?

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How do these developmental differences impact what you teach and how you teach it?

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From these developmental characteristics of fifth graders, it is vital that we, as teachers, adjust our teaching to better align with the needs and curiosities of our older students.
1. One way we can adjust our teaching is to have the students work independently, rather than as a group, because of their increased ability to work on their own.
2. Another way we can adjust our teaching is to give them the opportunity to ask questions before we start our topic. That way, they can express their wonders and curiosities before the lesson begins and can even make guesses on what they think the answers are. This can be a fun and interesting way to get the students excited for this unit.
3. One last way we can adjust our teaching is to challenge our students with the tricky vocabulary in order to engage them in their critical thinking skills. It is vital that our students understand the unit and that they do not get lost or frustrated with difficult terms or concepts. Allowing the students to ask their questions at any time can help to eliminate any confusion or frustration (MS, MB).

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How would you differentiate your instruction at each level? Why would you make the modifications you described?

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How would you differentiate your instruction at each level? Why would you make the modifications you described?

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For first graders it would be necessary to teach at a slow and clear pace. This ensures each word is being processed and understood by the students. In addition, using visual aids to assist direction and learning can be beneficial to both the teacher and student. For example, using diagrams of the earth, sun and moon allows the students to accurately see a representation of how the planet/star orbit around each other. Offering this gives students the chance to comprehend the material that is given to them. After explaining the material, students would then be given a step by step of what is expected of them in their tasks. Groups would then be assigned so classmates can work diligently with one another. This will ensure that the students are staying on the right track and using one another to better understand all required work. Using the help of others keeps the students focused. As it may be difficult for young students to quietly sit and work independently, working with others allows them to release energy while remaining on task. (MB, HM)

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How would you differentiate your instruction at each level? Why would you make the modifications you described?

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How would you differentiate your instruction at each level? Why would you make the modifications you described?

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Instruction at the fifth grade level will be quite different as educators will be working with students who are more developed. This means that teachers can use bigger vocabulary and they can talk at a normal rate as students have an easier time understanding the content of lessons. Students ability to follow along means more material will be covered in one sitting, rather than over a course of a few days. So, explaining that the earth rotates on an axis, causing different seasons, would be much more in depth with proper terminology. This entails students becoming critical thinkers who ask more questions as they make their own discoveries. Students engage more with the teacher, leaving room to work individually with assistance as needed. (MB, KM)

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How would you use this information as a new teacher?

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How would you use this information as a new teacher?

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This information allows individuals to reflect on their role as a future educator. With more insight, we have better knowledge on how we can create a classroom environment that promotes successful learning. Standards and students' age play a big role in the curriculum that will be taught and the ways in which we should teach it. It’s important to ensure all material is age appropriate and all requirements are within the ability of the students. It is also important to communicate with both mentors and experienced teachers as a new teacher because they are educated on what methods and strategies of teaching have worked for them in the past. Their advice could help a new teacher feel more comfortable with their students and more efficient with their lessons and in the classroom (MB, MS, HM).

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5.Space Systems: Stars and the Solar System. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nextgenscience.org/topic-arrangement/5space-systems-stars-and-solar-system

Grades and Stages of Development. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.teachervision.com/grades-stages-development

MS.Space Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nextgenscience.org/topic-arrangement/msspace-systems