Project GLAD By Kirsten Lenz & Mindy Schultz Celestial Systems Sixth Grade IDEA PAGES I. UNIT THEME Cross cultural respect and sensitivity Objects in the solar system move in a predictable pattern in space Celestial objects in the solar system interact with and depend on each other We are part of a solar system that is in constant motion II. FOCUS/MOTIVATION Cognitive Content Dictionary Observation Charts Scientist Awards Read Alouds Inquiry Chart Big Book: Just Thought You’d Like to Know About Celestial Objects III. CLOSURE Process all charts Home School Connection Team Exploration and Individual Tasks Evaluation of week, letter home to parents On-going assessment-logs Share Group Projects: - Big Book -chant -diorama -brochure -flip chant -games -team presentations IV. CONCEPTS The solar system contains multiple celestial objects including stars, planets, asteroids, moons, and plutoids. The planets and asteroids revolve around the sun while the moons revolve around the planets. Inner and outer planets have different characteristics. The sun is the center of the solar system and the largest body. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 1 IDEA PAGES 2 V. CONTENT STANDARDS FOR SCIENCE Washington Science Grade Level Expectations 1.2.1 Analyze how the parts of a system interconnect and influence each other. Explain how the parts of a system interconnect and influence each other. 1.2.5 Understand the structure of the Solar System. Describe how the Earth orbits the Sun and the Moon orbits the Earth. Describe the Sun (i.e., a medium-size star, the largest body in our solar system, major source of energy for phenomena on Earth’s surface). Describe how planets, asteroids, and comets orbit the Sun. Describe meteors (e.g., planetary and comet debris that collides with Earth). 1.3.7 Understand the effects of the regular and predictable motions of planets and moons in the Solar System. Describe the causes of seasonal changes on Earth and other planets (i.e., Earth’s tilt causes different parts of Earth to point toward the Sun at different times of the year). Describe the effects of the position of the Sun and Moon on Earth phenomena (i.e., Moon phases, solar and lunar eclipses, shadows on Earth, tides). 2.1.1 Understand how to generate a question that can be answered through scientific investigation Generate multiple questions based on observations. 2.1.2 Understand how to plan and conduct scientific investigations Make predictions (hypothesize) and give reasons. 2.1.4 Analyze how models are used to investigate objects, events, systems, and processes Explain how models or computer simulations are used to investigate and predict the behavior of objects, events, systems, or processes. Create a model or computer simulation to investigate and predict the behavior of objects, events, systems, or processes VI. STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE Washington State Social Studies Standards 3.1.1 Constructs and analyzes maps using scale, direction, symbols, legends and projections to gather information. 3.2.1 Understands and analyzes how the environment has affected people and how people have affected the environment in the past or present. 3.2.2 Understands the characteristics of cultures in the world from the past or in the present. 5.1.1 Understands positions on an issue or event. 5.2.1 Creates and uses research questions to guide inquiry on an historical event. 5.4.1 Retells and explains personal history. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 2 IDEA PAGES 3 VII. STANDARDS FOR LANGUAGE ARTS Washington State Reading Grade Level Expectations 1.2.2 Apply a variety of strategies to comprehend words and ideas in complex text. Use word origins to determine the meaning of unknown words. Use abstract, derived root words, prefixes, and suffixes from Greek and Latin to analyze the meaning of complex words (e.g., process, procession). Use structural analysis and concept-building vocabulary strategies to understand new words and concepts in informational/expository text and literary/narrative text. Use prior knowledge, the text, context clues, and graphic features of text to predict, clarify, and/or expand word meanings and concepts. 1.3.1 Understand and apply new vocabulary. Integrate new vocabulary from informational/expository text and literary/narrative text (including text from a variety of cultures and communities) into written and oral communication. 1.3.2 Understand and apply content/academic vocabulary critical to the meaning of text. Identify and define content area vocabulary critical to the meaning of the text and use that knowledge to interpret the text. Use new vocabulary in oral and written communication. 1.4.2 Apply fluency to enhance comprehension. Read aloud grade-level informational/expository text and literary/narrative text accurately, using appropriate pacing, phrasing, and expression. Read aloud unpracticed grade-level text with fluency in a range of 145-155+ words correct per minute. 2.1.3 Apply comprehension monitoring strategies during and after reading: determine importance using theme, main idea, and supporting details in grade-level informational/expository text and/or literary/narrative text. State both literal and/or inferred main ideas and provide supporting text-based details. Organize theme, main idea and supporting details into a self-created graphic organizer to enhance comprehension of text. 2.1.5 Apply comprehension monitoring strategies before, during, and after reading: predict and infer. Make, confirm, and revise prediction based on prior knowledge and evidence from the text. Cite passages from text to confirm or defend predictions and inferences. 2.2.2 Apply understanding of printed and electronic text features to locate information and comprehend text. Locate information using grade-level appropriate text features. Interpret and draw conclusions from grade-level appropriate text features such as maps, charts, tables, and graphs, etc. (e.g., given a map of the world, draw a conclusion about why early civilizations thrived where they did). Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 3 IDEA PAGES 4 2.2.3 Understand and analyze story elements. Explain the influence of setting on character and plot. Identify the point of view used (first, third, or omniscient point of view) in a story. Compare and contrast the same conflict from the point of view of two different characters. 2.3.2 Analyze sources for information appropriate to a specific topic or for a specific purpose. Select appropriate resources such as an atlas, newspaper, magazine, memo, directory, or schedule to locate information on a specific topic or for a specific purpose. Sort information gathered from various sources by topic and decide on the utility of the information for a specific purpose. 3.1.1 Analyze appropriateness of a variety of resources and use them to perform a specific task or investigate a topic. Locate, select, and use a variety of library, web-based, and Internet materials appropriate to the task or best suited to investigate the topic. Use information from various sources to investigate a topic (e.g., read newspaper want ads, websites, catalogs, yellow pages to decide which products or services to buy). 3.2.2 Apply understanding of a variety of functional documents. Locate and use functional documents (e.g., newspapers, magazines, schedules, promotional material Washington State Writing Grade Level Expectations 1.1.1 Applies more than one strategy for generating ideas and planning writing. Generates ideas prior to organizing them and adjusts prewriting strategies accordingly (e.g., brainstorms a list, selects relevant ideas/details to include in piece of writing). Maintains a journal or an electronic log to collect and explore ideas; records observations, dialogue, and/or description for later use as a basis for informational or literary writing. Uses a variety of prewriting strategies (e.g., story mapping, listing, webbing, jotting, outlining, free writing, brainstorming). 1.2.1 Produces multiple drafts. Refers to prewriting plan. Drafts by hand and/or electronically. Rereads text and continues drafting over time. Rereads text, puts it away, and returns to it later. 1.3.1 Revises text including changing words, sentences, paragraphs, and ideas. Rereads work several times and has a different focus for each reading (e.g., first reading — adding transitions; second reading — deleting unnecessary details; third reading — identifying areas where evidence is lacking and adding relevant information). Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 4 IDEA PAGES 5 Seeks and considers feedback from adults and peers. Records feedback using writing group procedure (e.g., records the first four words of each sentence to encourage variation of sentence beginnings). Evaluates and uses feedback (e.g., “I’ll use the word transformation to improve my word choice.”). Uses multiple resources regularly to identify needed changes (e.g., writing guide, adult, peer, criteria and/or checklist, thesaurus). 1.4.1 Applies understanding of editing appropriate for grade level (see 3.3). Identifies and corrects errors in conventions. Uses multiple resources regularly (e.g., dictionary, peer, adult, available technology, writing/style guide, textbook). Proofreads final draft for errors. 1.5.1 Publishes in a format that is appropriate for specific audiences and purposes. Selects from a variety of publishing options (e.g., trifold display, brochure, informational posters). Publishes using a range of graphics and illustrative material (e.g., photos, charts, graphs, diagrams, maps). Publishes material in appropriate form (e.g., slide show) and format (e.g., slide layout, color, font, keywords and phrases instead of whole sentences) for visual and dramatic presentations. Uses different available technologies to produce a finished product (e.g., word processor, spreadsheets, multimedia). 1.6.1 Applies understanding of the recursive nature of writing process. Revises at any stage of process. Edits as needed at any stage 2.2.1 Demonstrates understanding of different purposes for writing. Writes to pursue a personal interest, to explain, or to persuade. Writes to learn (e.g., science notebooks, math logs, reading response journal, reflection and self-assessment). Writes for more than one purpose using the same form (e.g., uses a poem to persuade, to tell a story, or to entertain). Includes more than one mode within a piece to address purpose (e.g., descriptive details or a narrative anecdote used as an example within an explanation). 3.3.2 Spells accurately in final draft. Uses spelling rules and patterns from previous grades. Uses multiple strategies to spell. Examples: ~ visual patterns (e.g., tough/enough/rough, right/night) ~ homophones (e.g., read and reed) ~ affixes (e.g., in-, im-, -spect, -fer) ~ roots (e.g., biology, telegraph) Uses resources to correct own spelling. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 5 IDEA PAGES 6 3.3.3 Applies capitalization rules. Uses capitalization rules from previous grades. Capitalizes languages, races, nationalities, and religions correctly. Uses resources to correct capitalization. 3.3.4 Applies punctuation rules. Uses punctuation rules from previous grades. Uses commas in appositives (e.g., Bob, the dog, was fun.). Uses commas to set off direct address (e.g., “Mom, may I go to the movies?”). Uses apostrophe to show quotation within a quotation in dialogue (e.g., He said, “Mom said, ‘Clean your room.’ “). Uses parentheses correctly (e.g., “A hypothesis (prediction) is a critical component of a scientific investigation.”). Uses a semi-colon between two independent clauses connected by a conjunctive adverb (e.g., I studied late into the night; consequently, I passed the test.). Uses resources to check punctuation. 3.3.5 Applies usage rules. Applies usage rules from previous grades. Shows agreement of pronoun and its referent (e.g., A person needs his or her own space.). Maintains consistent person. Uses parallel construction when listing verbs particularly in informational and technical writing. ~ parallel: A scientist observes, hypothesizes, and analyzes. ~ not parallel: A scientist observes, hypothesized, and analyzed. Uses resources to check usage. 3.3.6 Uses complete sentences in writing. May use fragments in dialogue as appropriate. 3.3.7 Applies paragraph conventions. Uses paragraph conventions (e.g., designated by indentation or block format, skipping lines between paragraphs). Provides detailed labeling, captions, headings, and subheadings when appropriate. 4.4.1 Analyzes and evaluates writing using established criteria. Identifies aspects of the author’s craft (e.g., sentence variation, voice, word choice). Identifies persuasive elements in a peer’s writing and critiques the effectiveness (e.g., firm position, statistics as support, persuasive word choice). Explains accuracy of content and vocabulary for specific curricular areas (e.g., why ancient peoples settled along rivers). Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 6 IDEA PAGES 7 4.1.2 Analyzes and evaluates own writing using established criteria. Explains strengths and weaknesses of own writing using criteria (e.g., WASL rubric and anchor papers, checklists, content scoring guides). Rereads own work for the craft of writing (e.g., sentence openings, sentence variety) as well as the content (e.g., clear and accurate information). Uses criteria to choose and defend choices for a writing portfolio. Provides evidence that goals have been met (e.g., selects pieces that demonstrate growth) VIII. ELD STANDARDS Identifying a student's proficiency level is the first step in using the Washington State English Language Development Standards to design effective instruction so that all students can access content. There are five proficiency levels (beginning, advanced beginning, intermediate, advanced, transitional) in each of the four language domains (listening, speaking, reading, writing). A fifth domain, Comprehension, is embedded within the four domains and is part of the Washington Language Proficiency Test. WASHINGTON STATE ELD LISTENING/SPEAKING STANDARDS Beginning • Very limited understanding of English • Learns to distinguish and produce English phonemes • Uses words, gestures, and actions • Practices repetitive social greetings • Imitates verbalizations of others to communicate: -Basic needs -Participate in discussions and activities -Respond to simple directions Advanced Beginning • Uses words and/or phrases • Uses appropriate social greetings • Participates in social discussions on familiar topics and in academic discussions • Develops correct word order in phrases • Begins to use content-related vocabulary • Retells simple stories and identifies the main points Intermediate • Uses simple sentences with inconsistent use of syntax, tense, plurals, and subject/verb agreement • Tells a story, informs, explains, entertains, and participates in social and academic discussions Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 7 IDEA PAGES 8 • Begins to use root words, affixes, and cognates to determine the meaning of new words Advanced • Uses descriptive sentences with common grammatical forms with some errors • Participates in academic and social discussions using appropriate ways of speaking based on audience and subject matter • Tells a story, informs, explains, entertains, and persuades • Uses simple figurative language and idiomatic expressions in discussions • Uses root words, affixes, and cognates to determine the meaning of new words Transitional • Speaks clearly and comprehensibly using standard English grammatical •**• forms with random errors • Applies content-related vocabulary in a variety of contexts and situations • Gives oral presentations ELD Reading Standards - Washington State Beginning • Expresses self using words, drawings, gestures, and actions: • Sequences simple text • Answers literal questions • Makes simple predictions • Aware of familiar sounds • Recognizes and produces rhyming words containing familiar sounds • Uses and comprehends highly contextualized vocabulary • Follows simple written directions (e.g., color, cut, glue) • Reads sight words • Begins to understand concepts of print Advanced Beginning • Expresses self using words and/or phrases to identify: -Characters -Setting - Main idea and details -Compare and contrast -Cause and effect • Aware of familiar and unfamiliar sounds • Employs word-meaning strategies Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 8 IDEA PAGES 9 • Applies inflectional endings to words • Increases sight-word and content-area vocabulary • Distinguishes between genres • Reads highly contextualized text composed of simple sentences • Applies concepts of print Intermediate • Expresses self using simple sentences • Produces unfamiliar sounds • Decodes word patterns • Employs word-meaning strategies • Begins to read familiar text fluently • Increases vocabulary through reading across content areas • Uses text features to: -Gain meaning -Monitor for comprehension -Describe images from text -Connects text to prior knowledge • Distinguishes between: -Fiction/non-fiction -Fact/opinion -Fantasy/reality • Infers and makes generalizations from text • Reads text at student's reading level across content areas Advanced • Expresses self using descriptive sentences -Identifies theme -Recognizes literary devices -Compares and contrasts • Uses a variety of strategies to monitor comprehension • Recognizes phonemes within multi-syllabic words • Uses word parts to determine word meanings • Reads with increasing fluency • Independently confirms word meanings • Uses a variety of resources for research • Follows multi-step written directions • Text increases in length and complexity Transitional • Adjusts reading rate as needed Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 9 IDEA PAGES 10 • Uses specialized vocabulary, uses multiple meaning words appropriately • Analyzes literary elements • Uses comprehension and questioning strategies, summarizes text, analyzes and applies persuasive devices • Explains cause and effect, citing evidence from text • Develops research skills • Follows increasingly complex written directions • Comprehends grade level text ELD Writing Standards - Washington State Beginning • Draws, labels • Writes familiar words and sight words • Writes to name, describe, or complete a list • Begins to use invented spelling, capital letters, participates in group editing • Audience may be self, teacher, or known person • Sequences pictures to assist with organization • Uses graphic organizers to convey main ideas and details • Participates in group writing process Advanced Beginning • Writes unfamiliar words and phrases • Begins to write based on a model or frame • Demonstrates inconsistent use of: -Capitals -Punctuation -Correct spelling • Participates in group brainstorming • Writes rough draft and revises Intermediate • Writes simple sentences • Demonstrates increasing control of: -Capitals -Punctuation -Correct spelling -Word order -Subject/verb agreement • Develops own voice in writing Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 10 IDEA PAGES 11 • Distinguishes between writing for different audiences and purposes • Uses basic transitions • Writes individually and in a group process • Writes rough draft independently Advanced • Uses descriptive sentences • Writes for a variety of audiences and purposes • Uses grade level conventions inconsistently -Refines voice in writing • Uses a topic sentence and supporting details • Follows the five step writing process (with assistance in editing and revising) Transitional • Uses specialized vocabulary across content areas • Uses standard grammar and conventions with lapses characteristic of ELL students IX. X. MATH SKILLS Washington State Math Standards 6.4.A Determine the circumference and area of circles. 6.4.C Solve single- and multi-step word problems involving the relationships among radius, diameter, circumference, and area of circles, and verify the solutions. 6.6.B Identify relevant, missing, and extraneous information related to the solution to a problem. 6.6.G Extract and organize mathematical information from symbols, diagrams, and graphs to make inferences, draw conclusions, and justify reasoning. VOCABULARY Asteroids Astronomy Supernova Moon Galaxy Telescope Light year Gravity Diameter Milky Way Surface Moon phases Crescent Full moon Star Lunar Eclipse Astronomer Meteor Nebula Oort Cloud Solar system Spacecraft Axis Atmosphere Rotation Solar eclipse Elliptical Waxing Gibbous New moon Sun Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 Plutoids Constellation Satellite Celestial Universe Kuiper belt Asteroid belt Seasons Orbit Lunar eclipse Ancestors Waning Quarter Moon Tilt Solar Eclipse 11 IDEA PAGES 12 XI. RESOURCES AND MATERIALS Non-Fiction Extraordinary Solar Systems. Scholastic The Book of Stars. Clint Twist, Scholastic Space. Alan Dyer, Scholastic Planets. Ellen Hasbrouck, Little Simon. The Planets: A Journey through the Solar System. Giles Sparrow. Quercus. Universe: A Journey from Earth to the Edge of the Cosmos. Nicolas Cheetham. Quercus. Earth and Mars. Rosalind Mist, QEB Publishing Mercury and Venus. Rosalind Mist, QEB Publishing Sun and Moon. Rosalind Mist, QEB Publishing Jupiter and Saturn. Rosalind Mist, QEB Publishing Uranus, Nepturne, and the Dwarf Planets. Rosalind Mist, QEB Publishing Asteroids, Comets and Meteors. Rosalind Mist, QEB Publishing Universe. Nicolas Cheetham, Quercus Astronomy. Duncun John, Parragon My Picture Book of the Planets. Nancy E. Krulik, Scholastic The Asteroids. Isaac Asimov, Dell Yearling Astronauts in Space. Wil Spencer, National Geographic If You Were An Astronaut. Dinah L. Moche, Golden Books Extraordinary Solar System. Stuart Atkinson, Scholastic Space. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Space at Your Fingertips. Judy Nayer, McClanahan Book Company The Book of Stars, Clint Twist, Scholastic World Book Encyclopedia Presents Space. Two-Can Publishing Ltd The Planets A Journey Through the Solar System. Giles Sparrow, Quercus Solar System. Kids Discover Night Sky. Tammi Salzano, Scholastic Stars and Planets. Dennis Ashton, Igloo Books Ltd Extreme Planets! Mary Kay Carson, Collins Galaxies, Galaxies! Gail Gibbons, Scholastic Fiction Poor Pluto. Tokay Colony Elementary School. Scholastic. Hedgie Blasts Off! Jan Brett Scholastic Out and About at the Planetarium. Theresa Jarosz Alberti, Picture Window Books Hyperlinking Through the Solar System. Jennifer Weinstein, SRA/McGraw Hill The Astounding Astromaze. Rolf Heimann, Little Hare Who is Neil Armstrong? Roberta Edwards, Grosset & Dunlap Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 12 IDEA PAGES 13 Internet Resources The Evening Sky Maps www.skymaps.com EdHelper www.edhelper.com The Hubble Site www.hubblesite.org Nasa’s Astronomy Picture of the Day http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ Astronomy for Kids http://www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/astronomy.html Astronomy Online www.astronomyonline.org Enchanted Learning www.enchantededlearning.com Wikipedia www.wikipedia.com Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 13 Celestial Systems Sixth Grade PLANNING PAGES I. FOCUS/MOTIVATION Cognitive Content Dictionary Observation Charts Inquiry Chart Awesome Astronomer Awards Three Standards chants Read Aloud-Big Book: Just Thought You’d Like to Know About Celestial Objects II. INPUT Pictorial Input Chart: The Sky Map Pictorial Input Chart Comparative Input Chart: Inner/Outer Planets Narrative Input: Heavenly Zoo Poetry Solar System Books III. GUIDED ORAL PRACTICE T-Graph and Team Points Picture File Activity Personal Interaction 10-2 Poetry Exploration Report Sentence Patterning Chart/Farmer-in-the-Dell Cooperative Work-Numbered Heads Together Expert Groups Mind Map Process Grid IV. READING/WRITING 1. Total Class Coop Strip Paragraph Poetry Frames Flip Chants Story Map DRTA Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 14 PLANNING PAGES 2 2. Small Group Team Tasks Expert Groups Flexible Reading groups Ear to ear reading Story Mapping Flexible Groups ELD Group Frame Clunkers and links Skills Struggling/emergent readers Focused Reading with personal CCD 3. Individual Home-School Connection Learning Logs Interactive Journals Individual tasks Add to the walls Personal Inquiry 4. Writer’s Workshop Mini-Lessons Write Author’s Chair Conference Publishing V. EXTENDED ACTIVITIES Internet Sites: Hubble, NASA Bill Nye Space Video Magic School Bus Explores the Solar System Video Trip to Science Center Space Ice Cream VI. CLOSURE/EVALUATION Process all chart and information Process Inquiry Chart Student Generated Test Individual Projects/Group Projects -Big Book, chant, diorama, brochure, flip chant, games, team presentations Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 15 SAMPLE DAILY LESSON PLAN DAY 1: FOCUS/MOTIVATION Three Standards Super Astronomers Awards Cognitive Content Dictionary with signal word- “ orbiting” Observation Chart Inquiry Chart Big Book Portfolios INPUT Graphic Organizer: The Sky Map: Solar System 10/2 lecture with primary language ELD Review/ Learning Logs Personal Interaction 10-2 FOCUS/MOTIVATION Chants GUIDED ORAL PRACTICE T-Graph for social skills: “cooperation” Picture File Sort Activities-observation, categorizing Exploration Report INPUT Comparative Input Chart: Inner/Outer Planets 10/2 lecture, primary language groups Learning Log- ELD Review GUIDED ORAL PRACTICE Chants READING/WRITING/LANGUAGE ARTS Journal CLOSURE Home/School Connection Interactive Journal Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 16 SAMPLE DAILY LESSON PLAN DAY 2: FOCUS/MOTIVATION Super Astronomers Awards Cognitive Content Dictionary with Signal Word – “constellation” Process Home/School Connections Review Input Chart with word cards Chants, Highlight, sketch, add picture file cards INPUT Narrative Input: Heavenly Zoo ELD Review/Learning Logs GUIDED ORAL PRACTICE T-graph processing Expert Groups Team Tasks READING/WRITING Writer’s Workshop mini lesson write author’s chair GUIDED ORAL PRACTICE Chants Highlight CLOSURE Home/School Connection Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 17 SAMPLE DAILY LESSON PLAN DAY 3: FOCUS/MOTIVATION Cognitive Content Dictionary with Signal Word- Student selected Process Home/School Connection Review Narrative Input Chart with word cards Chants/Poetry GUIDED ORAL PRACTICE Expert Groups Team Tasks Sentence Patterning Chart Reading/Trading Game Flip chant Process Grid: Mind Map READING/WTRITING Cooperative Strip Paragraph respond revise edit Writer’s Workshop Mini Lesson Write Author’s Chair CLOSURE Home/School Connection Read Aloud Process Inquiry Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 18 SAMPLE DAILY LESSON PLAN DAY 4: FOCUS/MOTIVATION Cognitive Content Dictionary with Signal Word- student selected Process Home/School Connection Awards Poetry/Chants Review Narrative with Story Map READING/WRITING Listen and Sketch GUIDED ORAL PRACTICE/READING/WRITING Flexible Reading Groups Clunkers and Links (at or above reading level) Group Frame/ELD story Retell Team Tasks Team Oral Presentations Team Share CLOSURE Process Inquiry Chart Interactive Journal Read Aloud Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 19 SAMPLE DAILY LESSON PLAN DAY 5: FOCUS/MOTIVATION Cognitive Content Dictionary with Signal Word-student selected Chants/Poetry READING/WRITING Flexible Group Reading Coop Strip Paragraph with emergent/struggling readers Team Tasks Written Evaluations Team Presentations Found Poetry DRTA Focused Reading with personal CCD Ear to Ear Reading CLOSURE Process Inquiry Chart Letter Home Evaluate Week Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 20 BIG BOOK Just Thought You’d Like to Know About Celestial Objects By Mindy Schultz Just thought you’d like to know about the sun. The sun is a medium sized star and the closest star to Earth. The sun in center of our solar system and all the planets orbit around the sun. It is a huge ball of spinning gas that provides the Earth with our light and heat. The surface of the sun is about 9,900 degrees and is 4.5 billions years old. The sun is just one of the stars in the Milky Way galaxy. Just thought you’d like to know. Just thought you’d like to know about the inner planets. The inner planets are the four planets closest to the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They are called the rocky planets because they are small and mostly made of rocks. They have few to no moons orbiting that planet. Because they are close to the sun, they are warmer than the other planets. Just thought you’d like to know. Just thought you’d like to know about the asteroid belt. The asteroid belt is between the inner and outer planets. The asteroid belt is filled with millions of rock-like asteroids orbiting the sun. The largest asteroid is ¼ of the size of our moon, Luna. Just thought you’d like to know. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 21 Just thought you’d like to know about the outer planets. The outer planets are the four planets farthest from the sun: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets are also called the gas giants because they are made of mostly gases. They all have rings and many moons. Because they are farther from the sun, they are colder than the other planets. Just thought you’d like to know. Just thought you’d like to know about plutoids. Plutoids orbit the sun at a greater distance than Neptune. They have gravity strong enough to pull itself into a ball. They had icy cores and must have a diameter of 250 miles. As of 2007, only four plutoids had been discovered, but 70 more are being considered. Just thought you’d like to know. Just thought you’d like to know about the Kuiper Belt. The Kuiper’s belt is the area beyond Neptune. There are over 70,000 small, icy objects orbiting the sun in the Kuiper Belt. This is the area where the planet-building process stopped. It is named after the astronomer that discovered it, Gerald Kuiper. In 2006, the first spacecraft was sent to the Kuiper Belt and will arrive there in 2015. Just thought you’d like to know. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 22 Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 23 Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 24 Comparative Input Chart-Venus/Neptune Celestial Objects Unit Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 25 Asteroids Background Information Asteroids are the rocky remains that are left in the solar system. They can be as small as a few hundred feet in diameter or as big as a few hundred miles in diameter. This could mean they could be as small as a school or as big as a state! Since they are extra pieces they all have different irregular shapes. Some are solid rocky bodies, with a greater or lesser metallic content, while others are piles of rubble held together loosely by gravity. They can even have moons! Asteroids don’t have an atmosphere. Many asteroids are found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid belt is known to contain more than 750,000 large asteroids and over a million small asteroids. Most Trojan asteroids are found by Jupiter. Centaurs are found between Jupiter and Neptune. Asteriods orbit the sun. Some asteroids are gravitationally locked with planets or trail a planet in orbit. Some orbit in vicinity of the Earth. Asteroids orbit in groups called families. These families have a common beginning from the collisions of other asteroids. Some asteroids have horseshow orbits. These orbits are skinnier, but have the same length. They look like the shape of a kidney bean. Asteroids can be visible from Earth. Vesta can be seen on very dark nights from certain places. Ceres was discovered by 1801 and people believed it was a new planet. Ceres was the largest asteroid in our solar system, but in 2008 it was reclassified to a dwarf planet. Over 14,000 asteroids have been found and named. Asteriods are also known as planetoids or minor planets. The first asteroids were assigned symbols not names. 9 Metis was an eye with a star over it. They were too hard to draw so it was decided they would be numbered and given a name. In 2007, NASA launched a spacecraft, Dawn, to orbit 4 Vesta. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 26 Pictorial Input Chart-Asteroids Celestial Objects Unit Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 27 Narrative Input The Great Dog From The Heavenly Zoo By A. Lurie & M. Beisner Once upon a time in India there were five princes who left their kingdom to seek the kingdom of heaven. [Kingdom] With them they took food and drink for the journey; and the prince Yudistira brought his dog Svana. Now besides Yudistira, who was the eldest, the brothers were Sahadeva the all-wise, who was learned beyond other men; Nakula the all-handsome, earned for his grace and beauty; Arjuna the all-powerful, who had never been defeated in a contest of arms and Bhima the all-joyful, known far and wide for his good temper and love of pleasure. [Five princes] So they set forth, and journeyed many days and many nights. Presently they came to a fair, where music was playing and people were drinking and dancing and feasting. Some of them saw Bhima the all-joyful, and called out for him to come and join them. [Fair] Bhima said to himself, "I will rest here today and be happy, and seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow." So he entered into the dance. And Yudistira and his brothers Sahadeva, Nakula , Arjuna and his dog Svana went on without him. [Four princes] They traveled for many days and many nights, till they came to a broad plain where a great army was drawn up in ranks facing the enemy. When the soldiers saw Arjuna the all-powerful they shouted out, summoning him to come and lead them into battle. [Battle field] Arjuna said to himself, "I will fight today for my country, and seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow." So he joined the soldiers and Yudistira Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 28 and his brothers Sahadeva and Nakula and his dog Svana went on without him. [Three princes] So they traveled for many days and nights, till they came to a magnificent palace surrounded by a garden full of flowers and fountains and in this garden a beautiful princess was walking with her attendants. When she saw Nakula the all-handsome she was seized with love and longing, and she cried out for him to come nearer. [Palace] Nakula too was struck with love, and said to himself, "I will stay with this princess today, and seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow." So he went into the garden, and Yudistira and his brother Sahadeva and his dog Svana went on without him. [Two princes] They journeyed on for many weary days and nights, until they came to a great temple. When the holy men who lived there saw Sahadeva the all-wise they ran out, inviting him to come and join them in prayer and study. [Temple] And Sahadeva said to himself, "I will stay here today, and seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow." So he went into the temple, and Yudistira and his dog Svana went on without him. [Prince & dog] At last Yudistira came to Mount Meru. which is the doorwav to heaven. And Indra the Lord of Past and Present appeared before him, and invited him to ascend. Yudistira bowed low and replied, "Very willingly I will do so, if I may bring my dog Svana with me." "That may not be," said Indra. "There is "no place in heaven for dogs. Cast off this beast, and enter into eternal happiness." "I cannot do that, " said Yudistira. "I do not wish for any happiness for which I must cast off so dear acompanion." "You traveled on without your four brothers," said Indra. "Why will you not ascend to heaven without this dog?" "My lord," replied Yudistira, "my brothers left me to follow the desires of their Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 29 hearts. But Svana has given his heart to men rather than renounce him I must renounce heaven." "You have spoken well," said Indra. "Come in, and bring your dog with you." [Mountain] So Yudistira and Svana ascended into paradise and Indra, in recognition of their devotion to each other, set in the sky the constellation of the Great Dog, whose central star Sirius is the brightest of all in the heavens. [Constellation] Proper pronunciations for names of characters. Sah – hah …day – vah Are – joo – nah Bee – mah You – dis – trah Nah – koo - lah Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 30 Poetry Book NAME:____________________________________ Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 31 Astronomy Bugaloo I’m an astronomer and I am here to say I study the universe everyday Sometimes I read a paper, sometimes I read a book Sometimes I use the telescope to take a better look Stars, moons, asteroids too Doing the astronomy bugaloo I observe meteors in the atmosphere That’s what happens when asteroids come near There commonly know as a shooting star They travel faster than a speeding racecar Stars, moons, asteroids too Doing the astronomy bugaloo Nebulas are a cloud of dust When the gases get hot it will combust I can watch the Nebula begin to transform It will collapse then a supernova will form Stars, moons, asteroids too Doing the astronomy bugaloo Dark matter is one thing I cannot see Does it exist? Scientists can’t agree It holds galaxies together some do say And it changes the gravity of things in the way Stars, moons, asteroids too Doing the astronomy bugaloo K. Lenz/M. Schultz ‘08 Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 32 Yes, MA’AM Is this an inner planet? Is this an inner planet? How do you know? How do you know? Give me some examples. Give me some examples. Is this an outer planet? Is this an outer planet? How do you know? Yes, ma’am. Yes, ma’am. It orbits close to the sun It has a rocky surface Mercury and Venus Earth and Mars How do you know? Give me some examples. Give me some examples. Yes, ma’am. Yes, ma’am. It orbits farther from the sun It’s a gassy giant Jupiter and Saturn Uranus and Neptune Are you through? Are you through? Did you tell me true? Did you tell me true? What did you chant? What did you chant? Yes, Ma’am. Yes, Ma’am Yes, Ma’am. Yes, Ma’am. Planets! Planets! K. Lenz/M. Schultz ‘08 Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 33 Heavenly Zoo (Do Your Ears Hang Low) Ancestors gave them names And stories how they came With the stars they could draw The different creatures they saw They came up with a legend How they got the heavens The ancestors game them names Each constellation has a story Like how vain Orion fell from glory Or a beautiful princess Who had attendants to help her dress These stories tell us why Creatures were summoned to the sky Each constellation has a story K. Lenz/M. Schultz ‘08 Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 34 Moon Phases Cadence The moon orbits the Earth every 28 days We can watch it change into every phase It starts as a new moon you can’t see at night The side we see gets no sunlight Sound off - Waxing Sound off – Full Moon Sound off – Waning 1-2-3-4 New Moon The sun starts waxing and seems to grow At first a small crescent will glow The next phase is called a quarter moon Even though you can see half a moon Sound off - Waxing Sound off – Full Moon Sound off – Waning 1-2-3-4 New Moon Next the moon is in the gibbous phase Three fourths of the moon is ablaze On day fourteen the moon is completely lit It’s called a full moon, I must admit Sound off - Waxing Sound off – Full Moon Sound off – Waning 1-2-3-4 New Moon The phases of the moon are halfway done Now the waning has begun After 28 days it is complete Then all phases begin to repeat Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 35 PLANETS HERE, PLANETS THERE Planets here, planets there, Planets, planets everywhere. Inner planets orbiting, Rocky planets rotating, Outer planets tilting, And ringed planets pulling. Planets around the sun, Planets in the Milky Way, Planets beside the Asteroid Belt, And planets throughout the universe. Planets here, planets there, Planets, planets, everywhere. PLANETS! PLANETS! PLANETS! K. Lenz/M. Schultz ‘08 Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 36 Project GLAD Celestial Objects Unit Home/School Connection #1 Go outside at night and look at the moon. What did you see? What did the moon look like? Sketch and write. Parent Signature: _____________________ Student Signature: ____________________ Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 37 Proyecto GLAD Unidad de objetos celestial Conexión entre la casa/escuela #1 Vaya afuera en la noche y mire la luna. ¿Que miraste? ¿Como se ve la luna? Dibuja y escribe. Firma de los padres: _______________________________ Firma de estudiante: _______________________________ Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 38 Project GLAD Celestial Objects Unit Home/School Connection #2 Go home and ask your parents which planet is their favorite. Why is it their favorite planet? Sketch and write. Parent Signature: _______________________________ Student Signature: ______________________________ Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 39 Proyecto GLAD Unidad de objetos celestial Conexión entre la casa/escuela #2 Vaya a la casa y pregúntales a tus papas cual es su planeta favorita. ¿Porque es su planeta favorita? Dibuja y escribe. Firma de los padres: _______________________________ Firma de estudiante: _______________________________ Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 40 Project GLAD Celestial Objects Unit Home/School Connection #3 You have studied many different celestial objects. Tell your parents or family members the three most interesting facts you learned today. Sketch and write any questions or comments they have in the space below. Parent Signature: _____________________ Student Signature: ____________________ Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 41 Proyecto GLAD Unidad de objetos celestial Conexión casa/escuela #3 Tú has estudiado muchas cosas diferentes de los objetos celestiales. Diles a tus padres o miembros de tu familia los tres hechos más interesantes que hayas aprendido hoy. Escribe y dibuje cualquier preguntas o comentarios que ellos tengan en el espacio de abajo. Firma de los padres: _______________________________ Firma de estudiante: _______________________________ Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 42 Moons Expert Group Moons are objects that orbits a planet or other body larger than itself and which is not man-made. Sometimes they are called natural satellites. The Earth’s moon has distinct layers; a crust, mantle, and core. The moon has no atmosphere, but small amounts of water have been found on the surface. The surface of the moon is filled with many impact craters caused by asteroids and comets. The large gas giants have extensive systems of moons, including half a dozen comparable in size to Earth's moon: the four Galilean moons, Saturn's Titan, and Neptune's Triton. Saturn has an additional six mid-sized moons, and Uranus has five. Of the inner planets, Mercury and Venus have no moons at all. Earth has one moon and Mars has two tiny moons. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 43 Moons orbit around a planet, called the primary. The Earth’s moon makes a complete orbit around Earth about every 27 days. As the moon travels around the Earth it appears to change shape. The change of the moon’s appearance is caused by the sun’s reflection on the moon’s surface. These are called the phases of the moon. Many moons in the solar system are tidally locked to their primaries, meaning that the same side of the moon always faces the planet. The outer moons of the gas giants are too far away to have become locked. Earth only has one moon named Luna. The largest natural satellites in the Solar System are Earth's moon, Jupiter's Galilean moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto), Saturn's moon Titan, and Neptune's captured moon Triton. Jupiter’s Galilean moons were named after the name that discovered them Galileo Galilei. He named them after Greek mythology. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 44 Since there is no atmosphere the moon is silent. Sound waves can’t travel through the air so sound transmission can’t happen on the moon. Sometimes an eclipse occurs and the moon looks as if it is covered. Eclipses can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are all in a straight line. Solar eclipses occur near a new moon, when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth. In contrast, lunar eclipses occur near a full moon, when the Earth is between the Sun and Moon. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 45 Planets Expert Group In August 2006 the International Astronomical Union redefined the definition of a planet. A celestial body must have all three characteristics to be named a planet. First, a planet is a celestial body that orbits the sun. Second, it must have enough mass to make it round. Third, a planet must have cleared the neighborhood around it. This means the gravity of the planet has pulled everything in around it. There are no other objects floating around it. There two groups of planets that are separated by the asteroid belt. The inner planets (those planets that orbit close to the sun) are quite different from the outer planets (those planets that orbit far from the sun). The inner planets include: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They are relatively small, composed mostly of rock, and have few or no moons. The outer planets include: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (a dwarf planet). They are mostly huge, mostly gaseous, ringed, and have many moons. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 46 As the planets orbit the Sun, they travel at different speeds. Each planet speeds up when it is nearer the Sun and travels more slowly when it is far from the Sun. All the planets rotate on an axis. A day is the length of time that it takes a planet to rotate on its axis (360°). A day on Earth takes almost 24 hours. The planet with the longest day is Venus; a day on Venus takes 243 Earth days. The planet with the shortest day is Jupiter; a day on Jupiter only takes 9.8 Earth hours! All the planets rotate counterclockwise, but Venus. Venus rotates clockwise. All planets orbit stars. The eight planets that orbit the sun are (in order from the sun): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Easy ways to remember the order of the planets (and Pluto) are the mnemonics: "My Very Evil Mother Just Sent Us Nothing". The first letter of each of these words represents a planet - in the correct order. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 47 All of the Solar System planets have atmospheres as their large masses and their gravity is strong enough to keep gaseous particles close to the surface. The larger gas giants are massive enough to keep large amounts of the light gases like hydrogen and helium close by, while the smaller planets lose these gases into space. Of the eight planets in the Solar System, only Venus and Mars lack such a magnetic field. A magnetic field indicates that the planet is still geologically alive. The four gas giants are also orbited by planetary rings of varying size and shape. The rings are composed mostly of dust or small matter, but can host tiny 'moonlets' whose gravity shapes and maintains their structure. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 48 Plutoids Expert Group A plutoid is defined as a type of dwarf planet that orbits the sun at a distance greater than Neptune. The object must also have enough mass for its own gravitational strength to give it a spherical (ball-like) shape. It is thought by scientists that plutoids have icy cores. Plutiods have to have an orbit father away than the 8th planet, Neptune. Their orbits do not have to have cleared its neighborhood. This means it has to be gravitationally dominate to everything in its path. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 49 Plutiods orbit around the sun like planets. Their orbits can be elliptical, ovallike, or spherical, ball-like. They can share orbits with other bodies in the solar system. Pluto—the heavenly body formerly known as a planet—has been given a new name. Stripped of its planet status two years ago, Pluto will be called a plutoid, astronomers have decided. The classification will apply to other objects that are similar to Pluto too. In addition to Pluto, the IAU named fellow dwarf planet, Eris, a plutoid. Eris is 27 percent larger than Pluto and lies beyond the eighth planet in our solar system, Neptune. They are many more plutiods in the universe waiting to be found and named. As of 2008, Pluto, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake were the only official plutoids. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 50 In 2006 the International Astronomical Union (IAU) classified a new set of celestial objects as plutiods. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is responsible for classifying all heavenly bodies. Many objects like the planet Pluto were being discovered. The IAU reclassified Pluto to be a plutiod so scientists continue to discover many new objects in outer space. They originally wanted to name it a pluton, but it was rejected. Plutoid means "Pluto-like." Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 51 Stars Expert Group Stars are massive balls of plasma, or glowing gases. Stars start when a ball of hydrogen gas collapses until it begins to burn nuclear fuel and continues until the hydrogen burns out. Stars are made of 70% hydrogen and 28% helium. Stars range from 20 km in diameter to 900,000 km in diameter. Huge, organized collections of stars are called galaxies. Our solar system is located in the Milky Way Galaxy, a spiral galaxy. There are larger groups of stars, called clusters. These are relatively unorganized collections of stars. An open cluster is a loose collection of up to about 1,000 stars. Examples of open clusters include the Pleiades and Hyades. Our sun is a medium-sized yellow star that is 93,026,724 miles (149,680,000 km or 1 Astronomical Unit) from the Earth. The distance to other stars is measured in light years. The next closest is Proxima Centauri, which is about 4.2 light-years from the Sun. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 52 In the universe, most stars occur in groups of at least two stars. Two stars that are locked in elliptical orbit around their center of mass (their barycenter) are called a binary star system. About half of all stars are in a binary star system. The sun does not orbit, but it does rotate around on an axis. The sun moves counterclockwise similar to how most planets orbit the sun. Since the sun is made of gas, some areas move in a faster orbit that others. Depending on where you are looking at the sun, the middle takes about 25 and half days while the poles rotate around every 36 days. The closest star and most famous star is the sun. Another star, Polaris, is the current pole star for the Northern Hemisphere. Polaris' distance from Earth has been estimated to be from 360 to 820 light years. At its brightest, Polairs is about 6,000 to 10,000 times brighter than our Sun. It is the larger star at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor). Sirius, which means "scorching" in Greek, also known as the dog star. It is the brightest star in the sky (except for the sun). Sirius has a companion star (called the Pup), which is a white dwarf. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 53 When you look a star in the sky it seems to twinkle. Stars twinkle when we see them from the Earth's surface because we are viewing them through thick layers of moving air in the Earth's atmosphere. When traveling through the atmosphere the light of the star is bent many times and in random directions. A constellation is a group of stars that, when seen from Earth, form a pattern. The stars in the sky are divided into 88 constellations. There are many families of constellations, constellations that are either close to one another or have some other relationship. One example is the Zodiac family. The zodiac signs appear in a line around the earth that represents a calendar. Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 54 Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 55 Process Grid (Blank) Celestial Objects Unit Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 56 Process Grid Celestial Objects Unit Celestial Systems Level 6 WA Adapted by Kirsten Lenz and Mindy Schultz - Project G.L.A.D. 08/09 57