An Integrated Science/Technology and English Unit

Science and Technology Outcomes

Living Things

• LT S3.3 Identifies, describes and evaluates the interactions between living things and their effects on the environment.

Earth and it's Surroundings

• ES S3.6 Recognises that the earth is the source of most materials and resources, and describes phenomena and processes, both natural and human, that form and change the Earth over time.

Investigating

• INV S3.7 Conducts their own investigations and makes judgements based on the result of observing, questioning, planning, predicting, testing, collecting, recording and analysing data and drawing conclusions.

Using Technology

• UT S3.9 Evaluates, selects and uses a range of equipment, computer based technology, materials and other resources to meet the requirements and constraints of investigation and design tasks.

Technology Outcomes

• Students will learn basic skills that will form a good foundation for computer use in the future.
• Students will demonstrate simple word processing skills using the appropriate software.
• Students will use MS Power point to present their final presentation

English Outcomes

• TS3.1 Communicates effectively for a range of purposes and with a variety of audiences to express well developed, well organised ideas dealing with more challenging topics.
• RS3.5 Reads independently an extensive range of texts with increasing content demands and responds to themes and issues.
• WS3.11 Spells most common words accurately and uses a range of strategies to spell unfamiliar words.
• WS3.12 Produces texts in a fluent and legible style and uses computer technology to present these effectively in a variety of ways.

Introductory Activities

Ø    Ask students to complete a knowledge chart about what they know about Space.

Ø    In small groups students compare their knowledge charts and compile a new chart from their combined ideas.

Ø    Discuss these charts and introduce the idea of the Solar System.

Ø    Students and teacher discuss what makes up our Solar System, including what and how many planets as well as some of the constellations in our system (eg. Milky Way).

Ø    Teacher and students discuss the processes involved in going into space, teacher encourages students to think of the benefits and negatives.

Ø    Students will complete the following sentences

~ Things that I know about space are………………

~ Some of the plants in our solar system are …………

~ One of the constellations in our solar system is …………..

Ø    Introduce the Research Module on Escape From Planet Earth

Learning Activities

v   Students will begin the Research Module on Escaping From Planet Earth and will print out and complete the Nine Planets worksheet. s

v   From the information gathered, students will be asked to select some interesting facts that they discovered about a particular planet.

v   Students use all information that they have gathered and present a short, 1 minute, presentation about some of the interesting facts that they have researched.   s

v   Students will present a ‘mini project’ about “Space Shuttle Lift Off”, (homework task).   s

~ Students will need to find information about the space shuttle.

~ Students will need to give a brief outline about the space shuttle

~ They will need to include how many shuttles there are in total and how many times they have been into space.

~ Students will identify what the main roles for the shuttle are.

~ Students will also include what other experiments can be conducted inside the shuttle.

~ The mini project will need to be completed and presented on 1 large sheet of cardboard (A2 size).

v   Students will begin the presentation about what planet they have selected for colonisation.

v   Students will use Microsoft Power Point to present their work.   s

v   Students will include in their presentation;

o     The common name of the planet as well as the scientific name of the planet.

o     What it is made up of?

o     How long it takes to rotate the sun (length of year)?

o     Is there any gravity?

o     Is there any atmosphere on the planet?

o     Any other interesting facts about the planet

o     Pictures

o     A bibliography.

v   Students present their power point presentation to their class.   s

s = Assessment Tasks