KBH113+Teachers+Information

KBH113 ==== Teachers Students Presentation References Resources Notes ====

Teachers Information

This project involves the students creating a blog from the perspective of a space traveler. Students should use the internet to find out information about the planets and then use that information to post blogs about each planet, answering focus questions about the planet. Teachers should encourage students to be creative with their blog and use different technologies for their blog, such as perhaps posting photos of the planet (even Photoshopping themselves onto the planet for real tech-savvy kids), filming themselves talking about the planet, or voice recording.
 * ACTIVITY OVERVIEW**

**STUDENTS PRIOR KNOWLEDGE **
Students should have a general understanding about the solar system, earth, sun,moon and the planets. Students are also expected to be familiar with using the class Tumblr blog.

We chose to use Tumblr as it's layout is quite simple and easy to use as opposed to other blogging websites. Students should find it relatively easy to post blogs, as there post menu is colour coded pictures. This menu means that students can easily upload different types of blogs instead of just text blogs. Students can also choose to 'Follow' other students Tumblr blogs, so they can see each others work when they log on.
 * ABOUT TUMBLR**

Here is a Youtube tutorial on how to use Tumblr.

NOTE: It is important when making the Tumblr that you create a password so that only people that have that password can read the blogs. This way the students work cannot be viewed by the public, but is still accessible to the teacher and other students.

This activity can take as short or long as the teacher would like. For a long project, students can research and blog about each planet and even other features of the solar system they might come across (asteroids? moons?). For a shorter project, students could be allocated X number of planets to focus on, and then read each others blogs to learn about the rest.
 * TIMING**

Students can be marked on the following guidelines:
 * MARKING**
 * quality of writing (spelling, grammar)
 * variety of technology used (images, videos, audio, links, animations
 * how well they answered the focus questions
 * knowledge displayed

This assignment falls into the year 5 Science curriculum. Click the image below to read more.
 * CURRICULUM INFORMATION**

This learning project conforms to the 5 ways of learning with multimedia:
 * AUTHENTIC LEARNING**
 * Construction of knowledge - taking what they know and building on it through independent research.
 * Exploring information - searching for facts and converting them to realistic situation.
 * Learning by doing - researching and blogging independently.
 * Communicating with others - through group work and class blogs.
 * Learning by reflection - students are asked to reflect on each planets individual situation and compare their similarities and differences.

** Scientific Literacy **
Students will engage in new language in this subject. By working across the curriculum the introduction of new words is important in the students development. @http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Elements/15b7e754-9048-4a4a-bd57-9e4600a2dbe5 A sample of vocabulary related to this exercise is given below. For a more comprehensive listing please see @http://www.ozspeller.com/listinggrade5.html
 * ~ =Science= ||~ =Vocabulary= ||~  ||~   ||
 * energy || length || system || solid ||
 * propulsion || distance || planetary || methane ||
 * air || million || orbit || star ||
 * gas || size || galaxy || asteroid ||
 * hydrogen || temperature || moon || space ||
 * solar || celcius || rotation || milky way ||
 * astrology || axis || clusters || comet ||
 * constellation || eclipse || light year || meteor ||
 * stratosphere || satellite || crater || rings ||

=**Intercultural Understanding**= Not all students will have exposure to scientific understanding. We need to encourage these students to "value and view critically their own cultural perspectives and practices an those of others." Students and teachers need to show "empathy, respect and responsibility" when dealing with sensitive issues. See the ACARA web site for further information. Depending on the region and circumstances you are working in, you may be able to introduce an elements of indigenous knowledge into the project, ensuring that the scientific knowledge is reinforced throughout the project.

Excursions
Download this PDF for ideas on class excursions to help the students learn more about the Solar System

Youtube links for your consideration
@http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1tlngU5VXI a moody space travel documentary – teacher advice recommended before viewing by children. @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgNdN9ugs3o a nice child friendly introduction to our solar system @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5mgTBkDaCs a sickly sweet animated tour from the sub continent