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Moons of Jupiter

Marian Black & Mathew Jobson

Description
Concept Map
Assessment Plan
Rubric
Calendar
Resources
Lesson Plan 1
Lesson Plan 2
Orientation Video
Clinical Interviews
Modifications
Elementary Science Methods Home

AUTHORS’ NAMES:

            Debra Sutter, Cary Snieder, Alan Gould, Carolyn Willard, Edna De Vore, 

                        re-interpreted by:  Mathew Jobson
TITLE OF THE LESSON: Experimenting With Craters

TECHNOLOGY LESSON (circle one):        Yes      No

DATE OF LESSON: October 23, 2008

LENGTH OF LESSON: 35-40 min.

NAME OF COURSE: C5329 Elementary Science

SOURCE OF THE LESSON:  GEMS Guide Moons of Jupiter

TEKS ADDRESSED: (6)  Investigations are used to learn about the natural world. Students should understand that certain types of questions can be answered by investigations, and that methods, models, and conclusions built from these investigations change as new observations are made. Models of objects and events are tools for understanding the natural world and can show how systems work. They have limitations and based on new discoveries are constantly being modified to more closely reflect the natural world.

         (4)  Scientific processes. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods toconduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:

        (A)  collect and analyze information using tools including calculators, safety goggles, microscopes, cameras, sound recorders, computers, hand lenses, rulers, thermometers, meter sticks, timing devices, balances, and compasses

CONCEPT STATEMENT: Students will know what a crater is, how craters are formed and  what factors will influence their size a and shape.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to

  • measure diameter of crater with centimeter ruler. 
  • evaluate how the size of rock effects size of crater (Experiment #1)
  • evaluate how the speed at which the rock is traveling will effect the crater's size (Experiment #2)
  • cooperate within groups and contribute to class discussions. 

RESOURCES:  GEMS Guide

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS:  Students must be reminded to not throw the rocks into the trays.

SUPLEMENTARY MATERIALS, HANDOUTS:

  • Overhead (provided by GEMS guide) #4 Earth's Moon #5 Close Up of Large Craters
  • 1 slide projector and screen
  • 1 or more brooms or whisks for clean up
  • Paper cutter or scissors (for removing rulers off student worksheets)
  • 1 instant chocolate milk powder
  • 3-4 five pound packages of white flour

FOR EACH TEAM OF 4 STUDENTS:

  • 1 shallow basin (filled with 3-5 inches of flour)
  • 1 cup or small plastic container, filled 1/3 full of powdered chocolate milk
  • 1 newspaper
  • 3 rocks (small, medium and large)
  • 1 plastic spoon

FOR EACH STUDENT

  • pencil
  • 1 “Craters” activity sheet( pg. 28 of GEMS Guide)

Engagement

 

Time: 6 min___

What the Teacher Will Do

Probing Questions

Student Responses

Potential Misconceptions

1.  Teacher will talk about the moon, Luna. and ask students to imagine being on the surface and describe what they might find.”

2.  Teacher  shows class the moon as seen from a small telescope with the overhead and asks students to talk about some of the things they see. 

3.  Teacher explains what a crater is-impacts from meteorites colliding with the surface of moon/earth ect. 

4.  Teacher explains effect of earth's gravity on meteorites. 

5.  Teacher informs class that they will now investigate what happens when a meteorite hits a surface.

6.  Teacher explains materials used in the experiment and demonstrates how to safely drop rock on to pan, reset the pan for additional uses.    

1.  “What do you imagine the surface of our moon would be like if you went there?”

2.  “What do you see on the Moon's surface?”

3.  “What do you think causes the craters on the moon?”

4.  “Do you think there are impact craters on the surface of the Earth?  Why or why not?”

5.  “What will happen to the surface of the baking powder when I drop this rock on it?”

1.  “The moon is dirty.  There is not much light on the moon.  The ground is crunchy.”

2.  “You see holes.  You see craters.  You see dust.  You see mountains.”

3.  “Falling rocks.  Space shuttles running into the moon.  Meteorites.  Explosions.”

4.  “There are no craters on the Earth.  There are Craters on the Earth but we can not see them because they are underground.”

5.  “Cracks will form.  A dent will be left once you pick up the rock.”

     

Exploration

 

Time: 10 min_______

What the Teacher Will Do

Probing Questions

Student Responses

Potential Misconceptions

1.  Teacher will allow a few minutes of free exploration so students can see what happens when rocks are dropped and to practice with materials.

2.  Teacher explains the two experiments and introduces the data sheet.

3.  1st Experiment- 3 different size rocks, recorded 3 times each (9 measurements).  Shows where record findings on worksheet.

4.  2nd Experiment- 1 rock, 3 different heights, 3 measurements each (9 total).  Shows where record findings on worksheet.

5.  Teacher tells class to clean up their area when finished.

6.  Teacher monitors students.

1.  “What did you see happen when you dropped the rocks in to the pan?”

2.  “What might effect the size of a crater?”

3.  “Why is it important to drop all the rocks from the same hight for Experiment #1?”

4.  “Why dose the rock travel faster the higher it falls?”

1.  “When the rock fell, it made a circle in the flour.  It did not make any noise when it hit.”

 2.  “What the meteorite is made of.  The size and shape of meteorite.”

3.  “To get good answers.”

4.  “The higher the distance from the ground causes more time to fall.  More time=more speed.”

     

Explanation

 

Time: 8 min.________

What the Teacher Will Do

Probing Questions

Student Responses

Potential Misconceptions

1.  Teacher gathers class in group to discuss findings.

2.  Teacher has class review findings of 1st Experiment and discuss results.

3.  Teacher has class review findings of 2nd  Experiment and discuss results.

4.  Teacher shows overhead of moon again and asks children to point out features and similarities they recognize from the experiments.

5.  Teacher monitors students to see if they are conducting the experiment correctly and if they are working well in their groups.

1.  “Dose the size of the rock/meteorite effect crater size?”

2.  “Dose the speed of the rock/meteorite effect crater size?”

3.  “Can you tell me more about the surface of the moon now?  What sort of things would you see on the surface?”

1.  “The size of the rock dose effect the size of the crater.  Bigger rock=bigger crater.”

2.  “The speed of the rock dose effect the size of the crater.  Faster rock=bigger crater.”

3.  “The surface is covered with craters.  Big and small craters because meteorites size and speed effect craters size.”

     

Elaboration

 

Time: 8 min.________

What the Teacher Will Do

Probing Questions

Student Responses

Potential Misconceptions

1.  Teacher will introduce a third experiment (Craters in Liquid) if there is time remaining.

2.  Teacher explains how to use materials and look for what happens.

3.  Teacher lets students conduct experiment and then share their findings.

4.  Teacher explains to students that when large meteorites hit a solid, it liquifies the surface due to extreme heat of impact.

1.  “What do you think will happen when a meteorite hits liquid instead of a solid?”

2.  “What sort of things did you see when the drop hit the water that was different from when the rock hit the solid surface?”

1.  “A huge splash.  Ripples.”

2.  “We saw ripples coming from center.  We saw the drop bounce back from water.”

     

Evaluation

 

Time: 5 min.________

What the Teacher Will Do

Probing Questions

Student Responses

Potential Misconceptions

1.  Teacher assesses the students understanding informally through class discussion.

2.  Teacher reviews student work sheets to see if the student was capable of using the ruler to find the craters diameter.

3.  Teacher judges if student worked well in their groups. 

1.  “How did the size of the rocks effect the craters?”

2.  “How did the speed of the rocks effect the size of the craters?”

1.  “The size of the rock dose effect the size of the crater.  Bigger rock=bigger crater.”

2.  “The speed of the rock dose effect the size of the crater.  Faster rock=bigger crater.”