Blast Off Curriculum

Rationale “Blast off!” is a creative way to get second grade students interested in the moon, and engage in investigations about the moon’s orbit around the world, the change in its visibility from our own community, and how the moon has played a significant role in our history. This is a desirable unit of study because creating a unit that is heavy in science information, ensures that science is infused throughout the curriculum. Current standards for science in first grade ask for students to be able to recognize patterns in the moons movement across the sky, and visibility at different times of the day. These standards are built upon in science frameworks for second grade where students will learn to illustrate the four moon phases, model …show more content…
Common Core Standards for math in second grade that are addressed in this unit include, comparing two and three digit numbers using more than, less than, and equal to symbols while we compare our weight on Earth versus the moon. As well as using picture and bar graphs to represent data, as we look into the ranking of Earth and it’s moon in our solar system. The students will tell and write time from analog and digital clocks as they observe the moon at different times of the day through their moon log, and will partition circles into different shares and use correct vocabulary, when discussing and illustrating the four moon phases. As for social studies standards, the students will discuss different skills and education that are necessary for specific jobs, such as an astronaut. Another way these standards will be integrated in social studies is the student’s use of map keys, a compass rose, and directions in locating Antarctica and discussing ways environmental characteristic, such as complete darkness, affect the people. Spatial view of the world also plays a significant role in second grade, and the students will develop this skill by examining pictures of the Earth taken from the moon at different times, and discussing changes they see. In reading, students will answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions as we discuss and research the first moon landing. They will use text features and reading skills in identifying characteristics of fact and/or fiction books, as well as reading and making connection in a step by step technical procedure. In writing, students will work independently and with one another in gathering information as they observe the moon for their moon log, and participate in their personal astronaut journal, and recall gathered and gained information in the completion of a writing where they discuss their first “moon landing.” A project will