Sara+Spivey


 * Great Sites**

1. For my unit on our solar system, I begin with the big picture, which is our place in the universe. For attention getting purposes, I start with the question "Is there life out there beyond Planet Earth?" The following site would be one way to introduce the idea that our solar system is a part of a galaxy. It shows an image of the Milky Way Galaxy and points to the location of our solar system. [|http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/universe/galaxytour/milkyway.html You could then use the telescope and show other galaxies in the universe as seen from the Southern Hemisphere and talk about the trillions and more stars out there. The telescope choices alone will show the vastness of the universe. Use Google Earth Sky to show the galaxies seen in the Northern Hemisphere.

2. I discovered a new site last night, but didn't have time to download it yet. However, this morning I went to the site and discovered an excellent photo gallery that would benefit me as I teach the history of space travel and as we discuss the differences in the planets. The site is http://www.shatters.net/celestia/gallery.html. This site has a lot more to offer, but I've just begun exploring it. Can't wait to try out the simulations!

3. I just found another great site that corresponds to the above celestia site. This site includes all kinds of images that can be used with the celestia site. Visit http://www.celestiamotherlode.net/catalog/satellites.php. I was looking at the spacecraft pictures; again, these images would be great for learning about space history.

4. Part of my objectives for Science Grade 6 SOL 6.1 is to make a scaled model of the solar system so the following interactive would be a great way to introduce this acitivity. See link http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/messenger/psc/PlanetSize.html.

5. After studying the planets in our soloar system, use this interactive website for reveiw: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/messenger/fc/FactChallenge.html. It may be just a little slow for the students.

6. Another calendar of events going out to the year 2015 is available at the following link, [|http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy_calendar_2008.html<span]