Appendix 2
T chart is a large piece of paper, usually with lines, in the shape of the letter T. If those are not available the teacher or student can use a marker and divide the paper down the middle, labeling the top with the planets. On one side of the T, one planet is labeled; on the other side of the T the other planet is labeled. On the second T chart two different planets are labeled on the top. In the columns under each planet there are several bullets identifying what will be documented during research. The following areas will be researched: Location (as in 1 st), origin of name, size, distance from Sun, (in km, then miles) distance from Earth, temperature, rotation (days and how), orbit, atmosphere and land structure.
Appendix 3
Space History Timeline: The early Space Race between the Russians and the Americans is interesting. Good competition makes people work harder. This Historical Timeline emphasizes on "First" and a guide to American Space Travel. Students can research all the Space Travel from the 1950's to the present.
Historical Space Travel Timeline
- *In November, 3, 1957 Sputnik 2 took a dog named Laika in orbit
- * April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space
- * John Glenn became the first American in space February 20, 1962
- * Mariner 2 flies by Venus December 14, 1962
- *June 16, 1963 Valentina Tereshkova is the first woman in space
- * Neil Armstrong and Buzz/Edwin Aldrin from Apollo 11 are the first to walk on the Moon July 20, 1969
- * Apollo 17 is the last trip for humans on Moon, December 1972
- * Viking 1 is the first probe searching for life to land on Mars, July 20, 1976 (no humans)
- *Shuttle Columbia is first reusable spacecraft, April 12, 1981
- * In 1983, Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space
- * The Challenger Space Shuttle explosion kills seven crew members including Christina McAuliffe a teacher on January 28, 1986
- * Voyager 2 passes Uranus in 1986 and in 1989 passes Neptune
- * April 24, 1990; Hubble Space Telescope in orbit but blurry visions causes no clear pictures until 1993
- * The International Space Station launched in January 29, 1998
- * Hubble Space Telescope discovers two Moons around Uranus, 2003
Several reports on Astronauts are on www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/space.shtm for the students to read.
Appendix 4
Questions for the interview with the Space Crew:
- *What was the reason you and your team went into Space?
- *What was the major difference between your planet and planet Earth?
- *How is Earth the same as you planet?
- *What are some valuable reasons for exploring your planet?
- *How long was your trip and did you have difficulties with your flight?
- *Did the change in gravity affect your body?
- *If you had to do something different what would it be?
- *How far away is your planet from Earth and the Sun?
- *Did the difference in temperature affect your health?
- *Why do you think it is important that we go to outer space?
- *What foods and other items did you bring along on the trip?
I will also give the students the opportunity to develop their own questions to ask the astronauts. Language Arts strands can also be included in this section. A typical New
Haven Question might look as follows: If you could change the name of your planet, what new name would you give it and why? Give details to support your answer.
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