Cluster 1: Is a Falling Star a Star?
Cluster 1 is comprised of six 45-minute lessons. To launch the unit, students watch three short videos of falling stars and make observations and notice patterns. They then generate questions and create a Driving Question (DQ) board for the unit. In the second and third lessons, students investigate actual samples of falling stars to determine their properties and how they are different from other Earth materials. By looking at falling stars, they see that they are rocks with particular properties, which leads to investigating whether falling stars are actually stars. Students make observations of stars using videos and images of the sun and the Stellarium software. They also read an article to learn about the properties of stars. Finally, they use evidence from their investigations and reading to engage in a science talk focused on the question of whether a falling star is a star.
Next Generation Science Standards
NGSS Performance Expectations
- 5-PS1-3. Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.
Science and Engineering Practices
- Asking questions and defining problems
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Engaging in argument from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Learning Targets
- I can make observations of falling stars (Lesson 1-1)
- I can identify patterns based on my observations of falling stars (Lesson 1-1)
- I can ask questions based on my observations and patterns (Lesson 1-1)
- I can describe and measure the properties of falling stars (Lesson 1-2)
- I can use properties to identify falling stars from a sample of different Earth materials (Lesson 1-3)
- I can observe and describe the properties of the sun and stars (Lesson 1-4)
- I can read informational text to learn about the properties of stars (Lesson 1-5)
- I can use evidence to argue whether falling stars are stars (Lesson 1-6)