December

Happy holidays, everyone!

Project Options
Astronomy project: Option 1                                             Due in January
Find out more about one of the planets (or dwarf planets) in our solar system.  Draw a picture or write down how things are different there compared to Earth.  What would humans need in order to be able to live there? 

Astronomy project: Option 2                                             Due in January
Design a constellation.  Either go outside to look for patterns in the real stars in the night sky or make one up from scratch.  Explain how many stars are included in the constellation, how bright most of the stars are compared to other stars in the sky, and the story as to how you gave this constellation its name.

 

Extras

Websites:
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/index.cfm  This NASA page has a cool clickable picture to find out information about our solar system.

http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/ This is the official site of MESSENGER, the probe that took some amazing pictures of the first three planets and will still be up in space for another few years.

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm  More information and pictures from the Cassini spacecraft, orbiting Saturn.

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?IM_ID=195  I told some classes about this 'video' of Jupiter's atmosphere and all the crazy spinning and directional changes you can't see from just looking at a picture

http://www.amsmeteors.org/showers.html  If you scroll down, this site includes a calendar of reliable meteor showers throughout the year.

Books:
George's Secret Key to the Universe.  Lucy and Stephen Hawking.  -that's right, Stephen Hawking.  This was recommended by one of the homeschool moms and has its own website: www.secretkeytotheuniverse.com
Me and my Place in Space. Joan Sweeney. –great story, cute drawings, goes over planets. 523.2 S
The reasons for seasons. Gail Gibbons. –very specific… too specific for reading to a group, but excellent info. 525.5 G
Pockets Series: Space Facts. Carole Stott. -super info, tiny book. J520 S
Eyewitness series: Night Sky. Carole Stott. –good info, small book, includes a few activities. J520 S
Backpack Books: 1001 Facts about Space. Carole Stott. –same/simliar info as space facts. J520 S
The Space Book. Marc McCutcheon. –some good activities & info, not wonderful. J520.78 M
The Kids Book of the Night Sky. Ann Love. –stories, activities, info. J520 L

And if you're interesting in purchasing an astronomy book with amazing pictures, there was a book on sale (on December 10) at Borders Bookstores in Richfield that has incredibly pictures- the book was probably 3' x 1.5' big and was on sale along with the other large books near the front door.  Our budget doesn't allow us to purchase it, but it was an amazing-looking book!