| Elementary
- E.ST.E.1 Characteristics of Objects in the
Sky -"Common objects in the sky have observable
characteristics."
- Amazing
Space: Web-Based Activities
Amazing Space is primarily a set of web-based
activities for students in grades 4-12.
Upper elementary students can use the Solar Systems
Trading Cards activity to learn more about the
planets and solar system. Mission Mastermind
is an excellent cross-curricular activity involving
reading and sequencing. Teacher tips, lesson
plans, and resource links are provided with each
activity.
- Arranging
the Moon
An activity on the phases of the moon. The site
provides 2 sheets - one to glue phases of the
moon and the other the actual pictures of the
phases of the moons. Covers 4th gr. GLCE.
- Astronomy
and Space for Kids
This site is organized to find information easily.
It's a good resource for teachers and contains
some interactive pages for students. Each
page is well organized with nice graphics and
a larger font that is easier for younger students
to read. The information available is best
suited to upper elementary and middle school students,
but can be used by high school students as well.
The Sky Calendar and the Powers of 10 Distance
in Space demonstration are noteworthy. A
free Online Astronomy Academy offers astronomy
learning packets that students can work through
online for ages 7-11 and 12-18.
- Birthday
Moon
An activity on the phases of the moon. The activity
personalizes the phases of the moon by having
students use their birthday moon to complete the
activity. The site provides 3 data sheets for
the activity and websites for students to use
while investigating and answering the data sheets.
Covers 4th gr. GLCE.
- Build
a Solar System
A great site for finding scaled distances of planets
and stars from one another. It bases it's scale
from the size you use for the sun. Also included
are links to other solar system sites.
- Build
Your Own Space Exployer
Students can build space replicas with the pictures
and directions included at this site.
- Earth
Sun and Moon
This site takes students on a virtual fieldtrip
to the sun, earth, and moon in a cartoon type
setting. First students travel in the rocket through
the astroid belt so they are asked to shoot at
the asteroids until they reach an area where they
choose to visit the sun, earth, or moon. Once
at their chosen place they view facts, objects,
and patterns about the sun,earth, and moon from
the window of the rocket. They are asked again
to shoot at asteroids on their trip back. Upon
return from their trip, students take a quiz on
what they learned.
- Explore
The Universe: Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe
Outstanding
- Exploring the Universe is an online exhibition
of the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian
Institute. By clicking on the Exhibition
Highlights Tour, students and teachers can learn
how scientists have studied the universe throughout
history. By clicking the Student Activity,
students in grades 5-9 can participate in a simulation
as a research scientist. Students and teachers
can also explore an area of the website about
the planets that is packed with excellent information
and superior graphics with a link from the site.
The planetary information is very useful for grades
4 and up. (Outstanding content and graphics).
- Eyes
on the Sky, Feet on the Ground
This site is an online book consisting of six
chapters of explorations into astronomy as a classroom
tool for learning how to theorize, experiment,
and analyze data. The activities are fully illustrated
and contain detailed, step-by-step instructions
as well as suggested discussion topics.
This site contains the complete text and graphics
of the collection along with related links, a
table of contents, an explanation of how to use
this book, and email links to the authors.
The book seems to be most effective for grades
2-6. The Everyday Classroom Tools link sends
teachers to an inquiry-based science curriculum
with very detailed lesson plans,background information,
assessment ideas, and related resources for grades
K-6.
- Help
NASA
Send a rock to NASA to be analysed using the same
techiniques as the Mars Land Rover.
- Lift
off to Space Exploration
Outstanding -
Students will be able to interact with NASA.
Activities involving the Solar System, Space Station
and Satellites. NASA Kids activities such as space
science, rockets and astronauts, puzzles and games,
stories, and pioneers. This is a great site!!
This site could be used by lower elementary because
of the pictures, but the readings are for upper
elementary.
- Lunar
Phases
Outstanding!!
This site steps a student through the motion of
the moon around the earth and the earth around
the sun to show how the shadows made by the sun
cause the phases of the moon.
- Phase
of Moon Flipbooks
This site has background information on phases
of the moon and instructions on completing a flipbook
about the phases using index cards. Covers 4th
gr. GLCE.
- Planet
Mass comparison
Students can compare the different planets with
a balance beam. Real good visual.
- Scale
Model of the Solar System
An paper/pencil activity for a lesson on comparing
sizes of Sun to other objects in the sky. It provides
you with the handout to print and use in the class.
- Seasons
An paper/pencil activity for a lesson on the seasons
that talks about the axis, direct light, how the
earth moves around the sun, what causes the seasons.
Handouts provided to print.
- Science
Monster
Facts about the sun.
- Science
Monster
Facts about the earth.
- Science
Monster
Facts about the moon.
- Science
& Technology Focus Observing the Sky
This site provides brief descriptions of the motion
of the Earth and has short clips showing the apparent
movement of the sun and stars, earths rotation
on its axis, earths orbit around earth, solstice
and equinox and also has a few graphics on direct
and indirect sunlight. Covers 4 grade GLCE's.
- Seasons
An paper/pencil activity for a lesson on the seasons
that talks about the axis, direct light, how the
earth moves around the sun, what causes the seasons.
Handouts provided to print.
- Space Topics New
This site provides several
links to elementary sites about space. There
is a multitude of information provided, in addition
to activities for teachers, students, and parents.
- Stanford
Solar Center
This
is an interactive information/quiz site about
the sun. It starts with facts/reading information
and will ask you multiple choice questions throughout
the lesson.
- StarChild:
A learning center for young astronomers
Outstanding -
Star Child is a learning center for young astronomers.
Developed by the High Energy Astrophysics Science
Archive Research Center at NASA, it contains various
student activities as well as some teacher lesson
plans on the Universe and Solar System.
- The
Eight Planets
Outstanding -
This site provides a multimedia tour of the
Solar System with text, pictures, sounds, and
an occasional movie. Each planet and major moons
in our solar system is briefly described and illustrated
with pictures from NASA spacecraft. This site
is best used with upper elementary.
- Third
From the Sun
This site reviews the history of observing earth
from space, from the first balloon flight to satellites
in space. The orbiting satellite "Landsat" is
described in detail. It features a student activity
using pictures taken by a "Landsat". This site
contains general information and is a student
activity.
- The
Solar System Simulator
Students are able to have a simulator create an
image of their favorite planet or satellite. Students
are able to see what the planet or satellite looks
like at any specific time during the day.
- Views
of the Solar System
This is a multimedia adventure for students. They
will explore the solar system through photographs,
text, graphics, videos, scientific facts and charts,
and interactive activities.
- Your
Weight on Other Planets
Students can begin to understand gravity on other
planets by comparing their weight on Earth with
the weight on other planets. (I want to live on
Pluto!)
- Virtual
Coloring Book of Earth
Differences in color tell you a lot about the
data NASA is collecting about the Earth. Students
can try their hand at coloring these ESE pictures.
You will need a Java enabled browser to color
on-line. Appropriate for grades 2-5.
- Windows
to the Universe
Outstanding -
This site is an informational yet interactive
tour through the solar system. A wide variety
of information is given about each planet including:
interior & surface, atmosphere, magnetosphere,
moons & rings, planetary facts, myths and
culture, space missions, and an image archive.
This site would be great for any grade level because
you can choose the level of difficulty. Also includes
links to teacher lesson plans, and science links
for kids.
- Zephyr Physics: The Solar System New
This page
shows the planets in our solar system. It shows
and lists them in order from the sun, as well
as a moving example of how they revolve around
the sun. It also contains links to information
about each planet. It would be appropriate for
use with elementary level or middle school students.
- E.ST.E.2 Patterns of Objects in the Sky -"Common
objects in the sky have predictable patterns of
movement."
- BBC
Science: Earth, Sun, and Moon
This site allows students to observe and experiment
with the rotation of the earth, moon, and sun
over increments of a hour, day, month, and year.
A quiz is included.
- Build
a Solar System
Students complete a data table with facts about
the solar system. Each object has a reference
page to estrapulate the information.
- EARTHMALLOW
MODELS
This is a lesson plan and worksheet that allows
the students to make a model of the Earth using
a marshmallow. As the students move through the
activiy they will be able to visualize that the
spin of the Earth creates day and night. Kids
will love it.
- Earth
Sun and Moon
This site takes students on a virtual fieldtrip
to the sun, earth, and moon in a cartoon type
setting. First students travel in the rocket through
the astroid belt so they are asked to shoot at
the asteroids until they reach an area where they
choose to visit the sun, earth, or moon. Once
at their chosen place they view facts, objects,
and patterns about the sun,earth, and moon from
the window of the rocket. They are asked again
to shoot at asteroids on their trip back. Upon
return from their trip, students take a quiz on
what they learned.
- Explore
The Universe: Solar System, Galaxy, and
Universe
Outstanding
- Exploring the Universe is an online exhibition
of the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian
Institute. By clicking on the Exhibition
Highlights Tour, students and teachers can learn
how scientists have studied the universe throughout
history. By clicking the Student Activity,
students in grades 5-9 can participate in a simulation
as a research scientist. Students and teachers
can also explore an area of the website about
the planets that is packed with excellent information
and superior graphics with a link from the site.
The planetary information is very useful for grades
4 and up. (Outstanding content and graphics).
- Lift
off to Space Exploration
Outstanding -
Students will be able to interact with NASA.
Activities involving the Solar System, Space Station
and Satellites. NASA Kids activities such as space
science, rockets and astronauts, puzzles and games,
stories, and pioneers. This is a great site!!
This site could be used by lower elementary because
of the pictures, but the readings are for upper
elementary.
- Lunar
Phases
Outstanding!!
This site steps a student through the motion of
the moon around the earth and the earth around
the sun to show how the shadows made by the sun
cause the phases of the moon.
- Phases
of the Moon
This site is an animation of the different phases
of the moon.
- Planet
Size comparison
Students can compare the different planets size.
Real good visual.
- Science
& Technology Focus Observing the Sky
This site provides brief descriptions of the motion
of the Earth and has short clips showing the apparent
movement of the sun and stars, earths rotation
on its axis, earths orbit around earth, solstice
and equinox and also has a few graphics on direct
and indirect sunlight. Covers 4 grade GLCE's.
- Science-Class.net
Interactive moving solar system. Our solar neighborhood
is an exciting place. The Solar System is full
of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, minor planets,
and many other exciting objects. Learn about Io,
the explosive moon that orbits the planet Jupiter,
or explore the gigantic canyons and deserts on
Mars.
- Space
Topics New
- This site provides several links to elementary
sites about space. There is a multitude of information
provided, in addition to activities for teachers,
students, and parents.
- StarChild:
A learning center for young astronomers
Outstanding -
Star Child is a learning center for young astronomers.
Developed by the High Energy Astrophysics Science
Archive Research Center at NASA, it contains
various
student activities as well as some teacher lesson
plans on the Universe and Solar System.
- The
Reasons for the Seasons
Students will observe, sketch and explore
the reasons for the seasons via the interactive
applet, in an attempt to better understand the
relationships between the sun, moon and Earth
relating to the seasons. In the section called
"Materials and Resources" there is
a
"Reasons for the Seasons" Applet that
models the motion of the earth around the sun
and the relative changes in the seasons that
take place as a result.
- Views
of the Solar System
This is a multimedia adventure for students.
They will explore the solar system through photographs,
text, graphics, videos, scientific facts and
charts, and interactive activities.
- Windows
to the Universe
Outstanding
- This site is an informational yet interactive
tour through the solar system. A wide variety
of information is given about each planet including:
interior & surface, atmosphere, magnetosphere,
moons & rings, planetary facts, myths and
culture, space missions, and an image archive.
This site would be great for any grade level
because you can choose the level of difficulty.
Also includes
links to teacher lesson plans, and science links
for kids.
- Zoom
Astronomy
This site gives information on how the earth
travels around the sun, as well as, how the
moon
travels around the earth. It provides interactive
puzzles, as well as, quizzes that may be printed
out. Plenty of information on the entire solar
system.
- E.ST.E.3 Fossils -"Fossils provide
evidence about the plants and animals that lived long
ago and the nature of the environment at that time."
- Canadian
Rockhound: Geological Magazine
Provides articles and multiple photographs of
rocks, minerals, and gems; as well as tutorials
on rock classification, identification of minerals,
and the rock cycle(available in the Junior Rockhound
section). Rock samples and jewelry available with
price lists. An extensive list of categorized
web links is also available.
- Dinosaur Families - The Field Museum of Natural History
Exhibits
This page will bring a student through a series
of on-line tours that shows the evolution of dinosaurs,
plant, birds, and mammals over billions of years.
There is sound and animation. To begin tours click
on One-line Tours under "Life Over Time" - Life
Before Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs.
- Dinosaur
Theme Page
This site allows you to join an online egg
hunt and catch the excitement of fossil researchers
as they "hatch" fossilized eggs to reveal the
embryos inside.
- Dinosaur
Treks
Outstanding
- Students go into the Dinosaur Trek Museum and
are swept back in time to learn about dinosaurs.
As students search for dinosaurs they learn about
special adaptation that dinosaurs had that helped
them to survive. This game is good for students
in 3rd grade and up.
- Fossil
Tour
This informative site walks the viewer through
many topics that deal with fossils. There is a
presentation on how dead organisms become a fossil
by being covered with sediments. Also, there are
questions with multiple choice answers to choose
from, along with side information on a chosen
picture.
- Gallery
Interaactives
Students can click
on three examples of marine invertebrates and
learn that fossils of marine invertebrates tell
us about the age and characteristics of the Mesozoic
oceans. Invertebrates were abundant in the oceans,
and they kept changing, evolving every few millions
of years to become different distinct species.
If we know the time when a particular species
lived, then we can date other fossils we find
with them.
- Help
Rex Solve the Mystery of the Broken Necklace
The student has the opportunity to examine
a fossil/bone necklace and try to determine which
animal (out of three) the bones came from. An
explanation of what the animal is appears when
the student selects that animal's bones. After
answering their question correctly the student
is allowed to view and learn about other species
that look similar to their correct answer.
- Learning
from the Fossil Record
This site walks through fossils. It
includes a timeline, activities, background information,
and pictures that can be used in the classroom.
Includes dig for students, students act as detectives,
and solve guessing games. (Very useful with the
Scientific Method) This site is a good teacher
resource.
- Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom
This is a collection of photographs of minerals
and gems. The site contains information in regard
to streak, hardness, and other physical properties
of rocks. The rock information can be sorted
by streak, hardness, crystal and chemical group.
This is a general information site. The
images are beautiful.
- Paleontological Research Institution
This site provides general information.
- Rocks,
Fossils & The Earth
This site has several experiments all set up for
students to use to investigate rocks, fossils
and the features of the earth. They are written
for third or fourth grade, but could be adapted
for other grades. The copyright says reproduction
for educational use is encouraged if you include
the copyright notice. The site includes lesson
plans for activities.
- Royal
Ontario Museum
This site gives a brief description of what a
fossil is. Then students have a chance to match
fossils to modern day animals.
- Royal
Ontario Museum
Listed below are links from this site.
Learn how fossils are formed and who studies them
Discover how and why fossils are prepared
See how and where fossils are collected
Find out how scientists identify and classify
fossils
Play a game with fossils
Learn more about the ROM's fossil collection
- The
Unmuseum
Pictures and text explain how fossils are made
and how they are found.
- This
Planet Really Rocks!
Outstanding -
This web site provides colorful and animated
descriptions of the rock cycle, types of rocks,
and examples of minerals. The vocabulary is highlighted
so students can get quick explanations. There
are real pictures of rocks and minerals as well.
This web site is both teacher and student friendly.
- Tree
Rings as Records of the Past
This site is a lesson plan of how to use tree
rings to teach about the past. This is a
different types of fossil to use when researching
how we find out the trail to the past.
- Web Minerals
Provides information, characteristics, and images
for a large number of minerals. Images and information
may be used for non-commercial and educational
purposes. Good visuals.
- Your
Age on Other Planets
Students can begin to understand the orbital cycles
of other planets by comparing their age on Earth
with the age on other planets.
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