The Universe and Stars Science Station UNIT BUNDLE

These Universe and Stars Next Generation Science Stations include eight different science stations where students deepen their understanding of stars, the brightness of stars in the night sky, the various star sizes, constellations, and more. The focus is on 5-ESS1-1.

Included in the Universe and Stars Science Stations UNIT BUNDLE

► Vocabulary Cards in two formats with and without pictures (only available in the BUNDLE)

► Big Idea Posters to display in your classroom (only available in the BUNDLE)

► Checklists for teachers and students (only available in the BUNDLE)

► Watch a Video – Students watch a video to learn about types of stars or stars in general. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.(Google Form™️ available)

► Play a Game – Students play an active game or a board game with other students. Another option is a crossword or word search puzzle. The crossword and word search puzzles are available digitally.

► Investigate Star Count –  Students read about stars.  They investigate the brightness of stars in the night sky. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned. (Google Form™️ and Google Slides™️ are available)

► Diagram Star Sizes –  Students read about stars of various sizes.  They create a diagram based on the reading section and a chart of information.  Students then answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned. (Google Form™️ and Google Slides™️ are available)

► Read about Stars – Students read about stars.  They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned. (Google Form™️ is available)

► Model Constellation Celebration – Students read about constellations.  They research a particular constellation and create a three-dimensional model of that constellation relative to the Earth. (Google Form™️ and Google Slides™️ are available)

► Explore Stars in a Story – Students read about stars and constellations.  They explore the historical uses and understandings of constellations and then create their own constellation myth.  They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned. (Google Form™️ and Google Slides™️ are available)

► Sort How Old is this Star? – Students read about various stars.  They sort the stars according to their ages.  They will then answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned. (Google Form™️ and Google Slides™️ are available)

Google Classroom™️ Components Include:

► Google Form™️ with Reading Passage & Differentiated Questions (for Watch, Investigate, Diagram, Read, Model, Explore and Sort)

► Google Slides™️ with Activity Directions & Worksheets (for Investigate, Diagram, Model, Explore, Sort)

Each station is designed to last about 15-20 minutes. Students may do one a day for eight days, two a day for four days, or any format that works for your classroom. Because there are additional activities for the Watch and Play stations, you can offer those as a choice within that station or offer them as an early finisher station, as well.

NGSS Alignment

As a Fifth Grade Performance Expectation, students are expected to “Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars are due to their relative distances from Earth.”  (5-ESS1-1).  This correlates with the DCI 5-ESS1.A, which states, “The sun is a star that appears larger and brighter than other stars because it is closer. Stars range greatly in their distance from Earth.”  All stations in this set meet the Performance Expectation and DCI, helping students gain an understanding of the factors affecting the apparent brightness of stars in the night sky.

The NGSS are three-dimensional. These stations meet:

• Performance Expectation: 5-ESS1-1
• Disciplinary Core Ideas: ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars
• Science and Engineering Practices: Engaging in an Argument from Evidence
• Crossing Cutting Concepts: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity