TEK:
(B) describe and illustrate the Sun as a star composed of gases that provides light and heat energy for the water cycle;
(C) construct models that demonstrate the relationship of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, including orbits and positions; and
(D) identify the planets in Earth’s solar system and their position in relation to the Sun
Link to Website: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html#.Uo-GRMSsim6
Grade: 3rd
Description of Website:
This website is designed for children K-4th to explore space through interactive games and content. Children can look at pictures of earth that were taken from space, learn about why NASA explores, play a game about what astronauts eat in space, and other types of activities. One of the activities “Why does NASA Explore?” even has the ability to read the text out loud to students. This website is extremely kid-friendly, easy to use, and chalk full of information that might spark future astronauts interests in space!
Instructional Strategy:
In my classroom, I would use this as a centers activity if we were currently studying a unit on space. It’s easy for children to get sucked into games online without them taking away information from the website. To avoid this, part of the center would be a personal KWL chart in their science journals. They would write what they know, what they want to know, and at least one new thing they learned from the website. That way, children can explore and have fun, but they will still have something to refer back to for later use.
Claire,
This website is very kid friendly! It would be a great brain break or a great station for science! I love space and I think with all the technology out there incorporating NASA into the class is a great way to expand the lesson. Although I did explore the website I was wondering if older elementary kids would like it just as much as 2nd or 3rd graders.
Overall this is a cool website for students to go have and for teachers to have in their back pocket.
BL