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What am I going to use/not use? What do I need to adjust? What is my plan for implementation with the materials? Are these materials and my instructional design meeting all students' needs?

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Questions to ask and things to consider:

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Questions to ask and things to consider:

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What will be my focus standard or standards? What cross-curricular connections could I make here? What is the objective or what are the objectives of my lesson? What do students need before coming into this lesson?

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Questions to ask and things to consider:

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Questions to ask and things to consider:

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What resources in my curriculum are useful here? What is missing from my curriculum resources? Where can I find resources to support the curriculum I already have? Do I need to develop this lesson using resources outside of my curriculum? Where can I make connections to other subject areas and find the resources to do so?

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What do I have? What is missing? How am I supporting diverse student needs? Are their multiple access points for engagement?

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Video Resource on Launch, Release, Return

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Video Resource on Launch, Release, Return

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Flipping the I Do, You Do, We Do Approach

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Mike Flynn offers a quick explanation on how we can switch from the I do, you do, we do approach to teaching mathematics to a more student-centered approach.

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I am going to utilize all of the resources I have mentioned during the categorization phase, as well as additional resources.

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Focus on Week 1 reading comprehension standard (ELA.1.R.3.3- Compare and contrast two texts on the same topic. )

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- Informational Texts (English Only)
- Measurement Tool (Ruler)
- Guiding Questions

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Questions to ask and things to consider:

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Questions to ask and things to consider:

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What resources do I have to work with from the collection phase? What is my plan for instructional delivery? How am I choosing my instructional method? How do these resources fit into this plan? How am I supporting diverse student needs? Are there multiple access points for engagement? Are students offered choice anywhere in this lesson? How can I make sure they experience productive struggle? Where will I need to intentionally make teacher moves?

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I need to add:
- A video to hook the students
- Text resources translated for ELLs
- Collaborative activities throughout the lesson

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SC.1.E.5.1 |  Observe and discuss that there are more stars in the sky than anyone can easily count, and that they are not scattered evenly in the sky.

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- Collaboration between the students
- Access points for exceptional students.
- A hook to engage the students.

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Introduce the objective by reading Text 1 and 2 to the students. Students will be asked questions related to the content.

“What are constellations?

“Are stars evenly spread across the sky?”

“What’s the closest star to planet Earth?

Etc.

While reading these texts and asking questions, I will ensure that students understand that stars are scattered across the sky. After questions have been asked, students will be read Shapes in the Stars. This will enable to students to possibly become more interested in the subject, as well as aid in leading to the main activity.

Before giving the students what they will be working on, I will ensure that students understand the concept of measurement and how to utilize a ruler.

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Constellations: Connect the Dots in the Sky!

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Estimate the length of an object to the nearest inch. Measure the length of an object to the nearest inch or centimeter. (1.M.1.1)

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On Constellations- shapes connection

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A group of stars is called a constellation. The shape seems to form a picture. Here are four constellations. Have you seen them in the night sky? Scorpius is one of the brightest constellations in the sky. It looks like…

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How am I supporting diverse students' needs?

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How am I supporting diverse students' needs?

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- Actively checking for student understanding
- Consistently asking guiding questions

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Students will be given rulers and Constellation Measurement worksheets. They will then be instructed to measure the lines between each point in inches and to document their lengths. To aid in understanding, I will measure the line between “A” and “B,” and document their length on the paper. Students will then be released to complete the worksheet.

During this time, I will walk around the room to observe progress. As well, I will deal with misunderstandings, ask questions, and guide student thinking.

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Students could likely collaborate before the lesson. This could take place in the form of a turn-and-talk discussing their current knowledge of stars and constellations. Collaboration could also take place in the form of students constructing their own constellation artwork.

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This has some good ideas, although not all applies to the stars focus science standard.

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Have you been muddling through the Next Gen Science Standards this year? I'm not going to lie: they can be a little difficult to understand...but I love a lot of the new content for first grade! My favorite addition is sun, moon and stars! This content meshes perfectly with my i ntegrated science unit on weather and has made this already popular unit an even better 6 week unit! Here's a look at some of the activities from this Sun + Moon + Stars Mini Unit.

Anchor Charts

Anchor charts are a HUGE part of learning new content for young learners. My firsties use our anchor charts all. the. time. I especially love finding ways to make each anchor chart unique by using coordinating colors or shapes so that it's easy to remember and easy to find in our room.

Each anchor chart can be printed and posted around the room...

Or you can fill it out on your Smart Board if you're short on space!

Sun Science

One of my favorite science experiments in first grade is our shadow experiment. You can read about it in detail here, but the look on my firsties' faces when they see their shadow change is priceless every single year!

Moon Science

Brand new to the weather unit this year is phases of the moon! After charting our learning about the moon, we sequence the phases of the moon using the interactive powerpoint from the mini-unit...

Then, we work at stations to sequence moon phases using the sequencing cards.

And later we work independently to sequence the cycle of the moon!

Stars Science

The last part of this mini-unit is all about stars! I love tying in some literacy by reading Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with this study. It's a simple nursery rhyme, but perfect for deepening our discussion on stars with questions like, Why does the author say stars are like diamonds in the sky?
Then, during our science time we research facts about stars and chart our learning on stars in a can-have-are chart.

The next day, we use the slideshow from the unit (seen in the youtube video earlier) to talk about 5 famous constellations, what they look like and how they got their constellation. Then, for a STEM connection, we work in productive groups to build our own constellations with marshmallows and toothpicks. The groups name their constellations and tell the story of how it landed in the sky!

This STEM challenge can be found separately here. or with the rest of the activities and plans in this Sun + Moon + Stars Mini Unit!

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Have you been muddling through the Next Gen Science Standards this year? I'm not going to lie: they can be a little difficult to understand...but I love a lot of the new content for first grade! My favorite addition is sun, moon and stars!

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Are their multiple access points for engagement?

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Are their multiple access points for engagement?

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I would say that I could do a much better job at providing additional access points for students to engage with the content. As of this moment, I only have them engage by reading and creation of art.

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Once everyone has completed their worksheets, we will go over the correct measurements as a class. To achieve this, I will have students supply me with the answers. Then, one-by-one, I will go through the answers to see if the class, as a whole, understands how to properly measure to the nearest inch.

Student worksheets will be collected and the lesson will end.

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I will attempt include materials that aid all students. For students with physical impairments, such as vision impairment, I could include materials that aid in understanding the content for these students. For example, a student with visual impairments could utilize pipe cleaners to construct constellations they could feel.

To enrich the lesson for students that easily access the content, I could have them construct their own constellations that their peers would have to attempt to create. A puzzle of sorts.

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Students could measure from one letter to another for math focus standard

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These constellation activities are out of this world! BIG eye roll.

But they will really add a twinkle to your little one's eye. Maybe even make them feel like a star. Come on Mama, let's rock it! (you know, like rocket?)

Okay, I'm done with that now, I promise. We are doing a little learning about constellations right now. It's neat to do these activities again with my littlest ones, as I remember doing many of them with my oldest when she was swept away with stars, space, and constellations.

Sam is completely fascinated with constellations thanks to our local children's museum. They have a tiny planetarium and do a lovely little space show each day. It's always the same show. And we always go. Not that I am complaining. But it is nice to add a little variety now and again to the world of constellations.

Here are some of the constellation activities we will be using this year. Maybe some will work perfectly for you and your little space explorers too.

Constellation Cards and Myths - Make constellation cards together. Extend the activity by connecting them with Greek myths.

Connecting DIY Star Magnets from LalyMom - Make your own glow-in-the-dark star magnets. Then put them to use making constellations and connecting them with string.

Marshmallow Constellations from Edventures with Kids - Use marshmallows and toothpicks to make edible constellations. Love that she includes a list of books to read with the kids, too.

Geoboard Constellations from School Time Snippets - Make your own night sky geoboard with the kids. Then grab some loom bands and create constellations on the geoboard.

Constellation Sewing Cards from Kids Activities Blog - Combine star-gazing with early sewing skills. These are available as a free printable, which makes it even better.

Make Constellations Using DIY Magnetic LED Lights from Buggy and Buddy - So much fun science in one astronomy activity! Kids can use LED lights and a cookie sheet to make their own constellations.

Constellation Art with Rocks and Sidewalk Chalk from Creekside Learning - Grab the chalk and head outside to create constellations on your sidewalk or in the driveway. Kids' rock collections play the part of stars in this process.

Constellation Dough from It's a Long Story - Play dough loving astronomers will get a kick out of this activity. Make constellations in galaxy play dough.

DIY Constellation Flashlight from Handmade Charlotte - What a fun idea! Make constellation discs to put on the end of a flashlight. Then let the kids shine the constellations on the walls.

Hanging Constellation Craft from A Little Pinch of Perfect - Make this glow-in-the-dark constellation craft, and then hang it from the ceiling.

Pin Punching Constellations from Counting Coconuts - Children use a large push pin to mark the stars in this project.

Letter Constellations from No Time for Flash Cards - Turn the star-gazing into an alphabet craft project with the kids.

Sticky Constellations from And Next Comes L - Let the children design their own constellations on sticky paper. Listen to the stories they create to go along with their constellations.

Star Wars Constellation Craft from The Chirping Moms - Even if your kids aren't Star Wars fans, this would be a fun way to paint and create constellation artwork.

Constellation Geoboards from Babble Dabble Do - Print out one of the included constellation templates. Then put together your own geoboard and let the kids pin and create.

If I Was a Constellation from Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational - Get the kids into making their own constellations! Extend this activity by taking photos and making your own book of constellations.

Candy Constellation Game from Handmade Charlotte - Challenge the kids to play this game and get all the round candies into the right spots to make constellations.

Sticker Resist Starry Night Cards from The Artful Parent - Create beautiful constellation art using this resist painting technique.

Constellation Coasters from Assemble Shop and Studio - Such a sweet and simple craft idea to make with the kids. Use the constellations as coasters or hanging them in the windows to help guide stargazing inquiries.

Constellations on the Light Table from And Next Comes L - Add colorful stars and constellation templates to the light table. Let the kids create their own constellations or replicate some from the templates.

I think we are going to try the constellation sewing cards tomorrow. It combines a few of our current favourite things!

Our homeschool day yesterday was a success - happy kids, a big homeschoolers picnic, too many ambitious activities planned for one day, and loads of ideas for tomorrow. I think it's going to be a great year.

I hope you are having a great week friends! Thank you so much for reading.

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These constellation activities are out of this world! BIG eye roll. But they will really add a twinkle to your little one's eye. Maybe even make them feel like a star. Come on Mama, let's rock it! (you know, like rocket?) Okay, I'm done with that now, I promise.