Classroom Activities
Activity #1: Is this planet Habitable?
Objective: Students will be able to describe the properties of a habitable planet.
This game will help students use their inquiry skills using evidence that they have learned in class. Students will have 4 cards given to them; each card will have information pertaining to a celestial body. The objective of the game is to start a Socratic discussion amongst the students. Each team will consist of 4 students and they will try to determine if any of the cards that they have, describes a habitable planet. There will be a deck of cards that has the correct information on it as it pertains to each card. This deck of cards will be spread out in the middle of the table. The other 3 players can challenge the student’s information and therefore win the card if their challenge is correct. They will check the answer by getting the correct card from the middle of the table. The student with the most cards at the end of the game obtained by answering correctly or challenging is the winner. Students will also have access to their notes to help them in their discussion. Students can design the cards with different celestial bodies on them or with a theme, like a picture of a star on it. The teacher’s role is that of facilitator. This game should last for approximately 60 minutes or a class period. All learning modalities will be stimulated by this activity.
Materials Needed: card stock, scissors, colored pencils
Activity #2: Space Songs
Objective: Students will use the information that they have learned to create a song about habitability.
This activity can be used by students collaborating in a group or working independently. Students will create lyrics that express their knowledge of a habitable planet. Students should include at least 2 verses and a chorus in their song. Time should be given for students to think about their lyrics for the song. Each group or individual can perform their song for the class. This lesson is going to be very beneficial to students who are stimulated from auditory learning.
Materials: paper, pencil
Activity #3: The Game of Habitable Life
Objective: Getting to the habitable planet by avoiding any setbacks
Students are going to create this game utilizing the knowledge that they have learned in class. This game will consist of a board which will be designed by students which will allow them to be the first one to get to the habitable planet. There will be setbacks on some of the spaces on the board. For instance, students could draw cards that send them back to the beginning of the pursuit or perhaps their spaceship gets hit by a meteorite. Students can also pull cards that help them to advance around the board, putting them in a position to be the first player to make it to the habitable planet. The planning and designing time for this game may take 2, one hour class periods. Tactile and kinesthetic learners will be stimulated by this game of intrigue. Students who have the least amount of setbacks will advance to the habitable planet the quickest.
Materials: cardboard, card stock, pens, colored pencils, crayons, scissors, ruler, markers
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