CKLA Knowledge Quest: First Grade Adventure

Design for Mastery Kit

NEW

1st Grade Project 4 weeks

CKLA Knowledge Quest: First Grade Adventure

LAURA G

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.2

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.10

1-ESS1-1

1-pager

Purpose

This project aims to spark curiosity and engagement in young learners as they explore the essential role of the sun and the fascinating structure of our solar system. Through hands-on activities, they will gain a deeper understanding of astronomy by creating models, conducting experiments, and reflecting on the importance of celestial bodies in everyday life. The collaborative projects foster a sense of discovery and encourage students to articulate their newfound knowledge and observations both individually and as part of a classroom community.

Learning goals

Students will deepen their understanding of the sun's vital role in supporting life on Earth by engaging in hands-on activities and experiments. They will explore astronomy concepts by constructing solar system models, thereby grasping the relative size and distance of planets. Throughout the project, learners will develop skills in observation, model building, creativity, and communication as they capture their reflections and present their learnings. The experience promotes both scientific inquiry and artistic expression, allowing students to actively engage with astronomical content and socio-emotional growth.

Products

Throughout the astronomy unit, students will craft individual informative sun hats that highlight facts and images about the sun's crucial role in Earth's ecosystem. During the project, they will also collaboratively design and compile a class astronomy booklet filled with planetary facts they discover. These products will serve as interactive learning tools and souvenirs for sharing their newfound knowledge during the 'Astronomy Adventure Fair.'

Launch

To kick off the Astronomy unit, engage students with a 'Solar Science Discovery Trip' where they create and wear sun hats adorned with interesting sun facts and images. During this activity, students will construct solar bracelets that change colors under sunlight, exemplifying the sun’s impact on everyday materials. As they observe the changes, students will initiate discussions on how the sun influences the earth, setting the stage for their exploration over the next four weeks.

Exhibition

Students will host an 'Astronomy Adventure Fair,' transforming their classroom into an interactive learning zone. Each student becomes a station leader, guiding guests through their solar system models and demonstrating the color-changing solar bracelets experiment. Visitors will receive student-created astronomy booklets, filled with insightful facts and drawings, as a memorable takeaway from the event.

Copied from CKLA Knowledge Quest: First Grade Adventure

Learning Journey

Research

Students will explore a variety of books, videos, and online resources about the sun and planets, conduct simple observations outside, and collaboratively gather data that will help them create their solar system model and inform their sun hat designs.

Days 3 - 4

Milestone Activities

Solar Effects Observation Journal

Assessment

Students individually record their observations and thoughts on the effects of the sun seen through the solar bracelets experiment. They will represent their findings with drawings and written responses that highlight key insights about the sun's influence.

Create

Students will collaboratively create models of the solar system using everyday materials, synthesizing their research into a tangible representation that demonstrates the sun's position and significance relative to other celestial bodies, building on their investigation and preparing for the upcoming share phase.

Days 5 - 6

Milestone Activities

Introduction to Solar System Model-Making

Launch 20m

Students will be introduced to the concept of model-making by watching a short, engaging video about the solar system's scale and components. This activity kicks off their project with excitement about creating their own models.

Students will present their sun experiment findings and share solar system models in small group rotations, actively discussing their insights and incorporating peer feedback to refine their understanding of astronomy concepts.

Days 7 - 8

Milestone Activities

No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Question

Students will explore and observe the sun’s role in Earth's ecosystem, formulating questions about its effects and importance, which will guide future investigations in the project.

Days 1 - 2

Milestone Activities

Solar Science Discovery Trip

Launch 45m

Begin with an immersive experience where students create solar bracelets that change color in sunlight, sparking curiosity about the sun’s effects on materials and nature.

Solar Science Discovery Trip

Launch 30m

Students start by exploring the effects of sunlight using color-changing solar bracelets. This interactive experience prompts curiosity about the sun's influence, laying a foundation for their Exploration Journals.

Sun and Planets Exploration Journal

Assessment

Students will document their observations and questions in a reflective journal, showcasing their understanding of the sun's role and their curiosity about the planets. They may include drawings and simple sentences representing their thoughts.

Reflect

Students will use their reflective journals and shared KWL charts to examine and discuss their insights about astronomy, evaluate what they learned about the sun and its significance, identify areas for improvement or new curiosity, and collaboratively define unexpected outcomes to prepare for the Act/Apply phase.

Days 9 - 10

Milestone Activities

Collaborative Sun Hat and Model Evaluation

Deliverable 45m

In small groups, students present their sun hats and solar system models to each other, discussing successful strategies and areas for improvement. This peer feedback session allows students to refine their understanding and presentation for the Astronomy Adventure Fair.

Act/Apply

Students will apply their understanding of the sun's role in Earth's ecosystem by creating informative sun hats with peer collaboration, wearing them to demonstrate their knowledge during the Astronomy Adventure Fair as a real-world exhibition of their learning.

Days 11 - 12

Milestone Activities

No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Phase	Research Question
Activities	Solar Science Discovery Trip Launch 45m Exploring Sun and Planet Facts Activity 30m Solar Science Discovery Trip Launch 30m Sun and Plant Connection Discussion Activity 30m Exploring Planets Through Visuals Activity 40m	Sun and Planets Exploration Journal Assessment	Sun Bracelet Exploration Activity 30m Peer-Sun Interview Setup Activity 30m
Preparation

Week 2	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6
Phase	Research Create
Activities	Solar Effects Observation Journal Assessment	Introduction to Solar System Model-Making Launch 20m	No activities added
Preparation

Week 3	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9
Phase	Share Reflect
Activities	Gallery Walk & Collaborative Discussion Activity 40m	No activities added	Reflective Journaling and KWL Chart Review Activity 30m Collaborative Sun Hat and Model Evaluation Deliverable 45m Gallery Walk of Final Products Activity 45m
Preparation

Week 4	Day 10	Day 11	Day 12
Phase	Reflect Act/Apply
Activities	No activities added	No activities added	No activities added
Preparation

CKLA Knowledge Quest: First Grade Adventure

Purpose

Learning goals

Products

Launch

Exhibition

Milestone Activities

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Milestone Activities

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Milestone Activities

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Milestone Activities

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