This week is a very exciting week in 3rd grade. Not only do we have three BoB Battles (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday- all at 3:00), but we begin our much-anticipated Astronomy unit! Listed below are some of the major Core Knowledge objectives your child will be expected to know over the course of the next 4 weeks.
- The difference between a universe, a galaxy, and a solar system. We live in the Milky Way galaxy.
- The Big Bang is the leading scientific theory for how the universe began. We discuss the word theory (an idea that is not proven) and students are encouraged to have conversations at home regarding family belief systems.
- Our Solar System includes the sun and 8 planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. (We also discuss poor Pluto, and why he isn't a planet anymore!)
- The difference between orbit/revolution and rotation, and how these two concepts affect a planet. (One rotation = one day .. One revolution = one year)
- Earth's seasons are caused by Earth's orbit around the sun and the tilt of Earth's axis.
- Gravity and gravitational pull are forces that attract one body to another. The sun's gravity keeps the planets in orbit. The Earth's gravity does the same for the moon. The moon's gravity causes ocean tides.
- The difference between asteroids, meteors, meteorites, and comets.
- The names of the major phases of the moon, and how both lunar and solar eclipses happen.
- The names of some major constellations, and how to use the North Star and Big Dipper to navigate at night.
- Major events and people in space exploration, including the Apollo 11 and Challenger missions, Buzz Aldren, Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, and Mae Jemison.
On Friday, May 10th the 3rd Grade Astronauts will be blasting off for an inter-planetary mission! We will be leaving CHPCS promptly at 8:00am on a Big Yellow Rocket bound for Eugene. We begin our Solar System tour at the sun and travel to each planet, beginning with Mercury. We stop at each planet for a lesson or activity before moving on. Our final stop, Pluto, is a mere 3.66 Earth-miles from the sun. For more information about the coolest scale model of the universe ever click the link! Once we reach Pluto, our Big Yellow Rocket will bring us back to the Science Factory for a planetarium show. Then the rocket will bring us back to CHPCS.. please note that we return at 5:00 from this trip. More details and reminders will come home in the next few weeks! We still have room for 1 or 2 more parents if you would like to join us on our journey!
Have we enjoyed astronomy enough yet? NO! That's why we've added a special event this year- our Stargazing Family Camp out! We will be at the Kingfisher group site at Milo McIver State Park on Saturday, June 1st. Check-in begins at 4:00 and we will have a potluck dinner around 7:00. After dinner families can enjoy a campfire until it's time for stargazing. Families who choose not to stay overnight are welcome to attend the evening activities. If you are planning on staying and have not done so yet, please send me an email with the number of family members in your party.
Have a wonderful evening. See you in the stars!
Ms. Mahn
No comments:
Post a Comment