Allie Flansburg, Amanda Michaelson, Katie Lind, and
Taylor Varichak
Campfire Under the Stars
AstronomyFocusing on the constellations, moon phases,
use of telescopes, and applying these concepts to every day life
Wanted something that children could apply in their lives
Theme and Why
Ages 6-8Concrete learnerThey can think logicallyThey can use metacogniti0n (they can reflect
on learning)Only need little promptScaffolding becomes a 0part of learning
Age
Changes in body size, portion, and appearance; functioning body systems and motor capacities
6-8 year olds are growing rapidly in body sizeTheir motor skills are developing, ex- children
can cut a circle from a sheet of paper with scissors
They can run, jump, and play games like hop-scotch and hide-and-seek; which involve higher level motor skills as well as physical ability
Physical Domain
Changes in intellectual abilities including: attention, memory, academic and everyday knowledge, problem solving, imagination, and language
6-8 year olds begin to have a longer attention spanThey are concrete learners- cannot think abstract,
but can solve problems which are in front of them… may need some constructive hints
They can communicate with each other- constructive learning
They can use creativity to further their learningThey are curious, which sparks learning as well
Cognitive Domain
Changes in emotional communication, self understanding, knowledge about other people, intimate relationship, moral reasoning and behavior
6-8 year olds are learning to create and maintain strong friendships
Using communication as a main toolAre very expressiveAre fragile to failure and rejectionThey can relate to their peers, learn to feel
empathy, and communicate with full sentences
Social/Emotional Domain
Children are curious about our every day world and what goes on around us. What better way to engage them in every day learning than to teach them in a fun, interactive way about our universe by introducing them to stars, constellations, and the moon!?
Standard 4.3.4.3The student will know that telescopes magnify distant
objects in the sky and dramatically increase the number of stars we can see.
—Standard 3.3.3.1The sun and moon have locations and movements that can be
observed and described. BENCHMARK: 3.3.3.1.2 Moon Shapes & Positions,
Recognize the pattern of apparent changes in the moon's shape and position.This will focus on the moon interactive
—Standard 2.2.2.1 The motion of an object can be described by a change in its
position over timeThe moon interactives
STEM Standards
Introduce our box…Projector in the middle of the room shining
stars/constellations onto the ceilingRandom facts about our universe around
the room on the wallsCampfire in the middle of the room around
the projectorTelescope making in one corner, moon
phases in the otherBook corner
Physical Layout
Telescope making in one corner, moon phases in the other
Book cornerLook like a “campfire under the stars”Encourage children to want to go
camping or discover more about the stars by exploring in their own back yard or local park
Physical Layout (cont.)
Two days a week (or more or less) Museum worker can read an astronomy related
book to the children at the museumSit around the campfireWill spark interest in the exhibit… children will
want to learn more by interacting after hearing the story
Could also have a little story cove with books for the children to just read alone or with their caretaker
6-8 year olds will enjoy engaging in the storyBenefits for other ages as well…
Interactive One: Story Time
We will focus on showing the phases thru each month
Have the random facts about moon around this interactive station.
1 display will be on the phases of the month and be blown up so children can see the process.
2 display next to it will be the “Moon Phases”This is where the children are able to learn about
the moon phases, what they look like by flipping each phase in this display
Interactive Two: Moon Phases
Continued….This is an example of
this month of DecemberThis would be the
display of the month next to the “Moon Flipping Phases”
it allows the students to get interested and want to learn more.
Around this again will be the random facts about the moon
Children can learn about five major constellations that appear in our region
Stars will be projected onto the ceiling for children to interact with
Learn about the big dipper, little dipper, Leo, Orion, Scorpius
6-8 year olds will be able to engage in the interactive and relate what they learn to every day life
Benefits for other ages…http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGhfPxv9ubk&fb_source=message
Interactive Three: Constellations
Children will make a telescopeCreate from donated toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls
Use it to see everything through a different view
Something that they can take home and use again!
Activity
# Object Cost Notes
1 Projector $80 Video of projector
2 Pillows $90 $15 and need 6 brown body pillows as logs
3 Velcro Wall $0 Use velcro wall already available
4 Felt $21 3 yards make moons, titles, and hints
5 Lamination $20 Do the facts sheets, instruction sheets, hung up by things
6 Paper $6 Just a bundle normal printing paper or construction paper either-or.
Budget
# Object Cost Notes
7 Glow in the dark stars
$10 Stick on floor and tape or carpet over it
8 Books $0 Get from public library. Switch every 1 or 2 weeks
9 Toilet paper /paper towel rolls
$0 Donated
10 Markers $12 6 boxes of markers
11 Plastic prism $20 Tall so kids can’t reach projector
12 Paint $24 Use this or the glow in the dark
13 Real logs $21 For fake camp fire
14 Spray laytex $13 For logs and glow in the dark stars
Total:
$317
Budget (cont.)
Children and parents have chance to learn together in a constructive environment
Children are able to apply what they learned right in their backyard
Engages all agesIncorporates science and mathExhibit has many diversities with it- ex. stars,
moon, seasons, planets, etc.
Benefits and Outcomes
Berk, Laura E. Child Development. Boston: Pearson, 2009. Print.
Citation: