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Out of This World

Name of Participant(s): Brandy Ducatte, Lisa Frechette

Overview:
With the science committee working on updating the curriculum guide, it has come to the attention of the first grade teachers at Bailey Avenue, that the topic of astronomy is not being taught as thoroughly as it needs to be. Though some of the key ideas are being addressed, the current lessons aren’t as focused and in depth as they could be.

We find value in providing instruction on a topic throughout the curriculum. The current social studies textbook and the math Trailblazers program contain some lessons on the topic of astronomy. As a group, we would like to organize and pool our materials, and, research other resources, to enhance the existing unit of study.

We also continue to work hard to implement the Four Blocks framework into our instruction. The group would like to find appropriate literature to use during the self-selected and guided reading blocks. We would also like to develop astronomy lessons that will work in all four of the blocks.

Length of Unit: three weeks – fifteen days

Grade/ Age Level: grade 1/ ages 6-7

New York State Standards Addressed:

Science Standard 4: The Physical Setting

• Key Idea 1.1 Describe patterns of daily, monthly, and seasonal changes in the environment
• Key Idea 2.1 Describe the relationship among air, water, and land on Earth