Space unit#1: The beginning (universe)

At last, we are “formally” doing our space unit! It took us sometime and some more units in between but the waiting time is paying off. As in our other units, I will try to share as much as I can and with much order as possible. It is going to be such a long unit since we are doing our work after school or on weekends plus I am trying to add more science activities with it.

As our title suggest, the first part is:

PART 1. The beginning of the universe

• Materials

o Rug or would be better to use a black or dark color bed sheet- believe me it will add to the “magic”). Too bad I didn’t think about it before!

o black balloon filled with glitter or confetti with a pin to pop it (we used the graduate’s confetti from Dollar tree that comes with tiny colorful stars)

o candle

o bits of paper in a container (we used the same confetti)

o a bowl with water 

o Picture of the universe (for illustration)

• Procedure: Fill the balloon with the confetti (don’t need to use too much) and blow it, set it on the rug with the pin next to it.

Lesson:

Ask your kid about the things they see while outside during the day (Trees, sunlight, grass, birds). What do we see at night? (stars, the moon, darkness).

Well, in the beginning, there was nothing. There were no people, or animals, or plants, even the Earth itself did not exist. There was nothing!!! There was no day or night. No stars, no mountains, no rivers, no oceans, nothing. There was only great space which had no beginning and no end. All was dark; so dark that our darkest night would seem like brilliant sunshine. It was so cold that ice would seem warm. (move the balloon slowly back and forth). Because my daughter couldn’t imagine how was that space possible, I tried to show her how the universe was just an empty space with these activities:

 

#1: Empty paper bag. Blow it and see the “space” thru the hole.

#2 Empty jar. It is not black but it has an empty “space”.

Suddenly - in an instant of great energy - a force brought the whole universe into being. (Pop Balloon)

After you popped the balloon, you will have many amazing little stars all over the place. FANTASTIC! Next time I will try to set up everything over a black sheet just to make everything much visual.

Time began and particles appeared. So tiny were these particles that even the smallest specks of dust would seem large next to them.

(Light the candle) There was now light - light greater than we can imagine. So intense was the heat that all matter - iron, gold, rocks, water - existed as a gas. The particles raced around in chaos and when they rammed into each other, they ceased to exist. Our universe may have disappeared in that instant, as quickly as it had appeared, but the universe cooled just enough and the force, something that cannot be seen, but which has great power, began to draw these particles together. Protons, neutrons and electrons, as these particles came to be called, began to join together and the elements of Hydrogen and Helium were formed. These elements would soon transform this chaotic universe. Five billion years had passed.

Over the next 5 billion years the particles continued to join together unable to resist the force. (Paper experiment: pour the water into the rectangular bowl. Add the cut bits of paper slowly and encourage students to pick one bit or a group of bits to watch. No blowing or touching - The Force will do it.) Watch how some of bits come together - this is the force at work. Look also for bits that seem to repel each other - this is also the force at work.

Do not blow or move, just watch carefully!

This was just AWESOME to watch!

As you can see, there will be particle that attract to each other and other repels.

Art activities:

o DIY Jelly bean universe

Materials: dry black beans or black jelly beans, color beads or color jelly beans, baking sprinkles, silver glitter, vase

Add black beans (or jelly beans), color beads, sprinkles and glitter.

Printables: A recompilation for all our space unit to come!

1. ETC Montessori: Here
   1. Moon phases 3-part cards
   2. Phases of the moon control chart
   3. The solar system picture (has planets booklet, etc.)
2. Montessori for everyone: Here
   1. Constellations 3-part cards
3. Montessori for Learning: Here
   1. Moon phase 3-part cards
   2. Solar system sequencing patterning cards
4. Noor Janan Homeschool: Here
   1. Moon Phase- Control Book
   2. Moon Phase- Mini Book
   3. Moon Phase- 3 Part Cards
   4. Solar System Labels & Sun
5. Living Montessori Now:
   1. Montessori-Inspired Star and Constellation Unit
   2. Montessori-Inspired Moon Unit
   3. Montessori-Inspired Astronomy Activities
   4. ABC Letter Box and Astronaut Unit
6. Counting coconuts: Here
   1. Life Cycle of a Star PDF
   2. Mini Unit – Space (love how everything is beautifully organized and presented)
7. The sun:
   1. Here is a beautiful photo about the parts of the sun
   2. Free parts of the sun 3 part cards (clipart)
8. Wikisori: Here
1. Life Cycle of a Star
2. Space Shuttle Fact Sheet
3. Planet Cryptogram
4. NASA Space Science: Adventure is Waiting Activities
5. Libra Constellation Map
6. Virgo Constellation Map
7. Scorpios Constellation Map
8. Sagittarius Constellation Map
9. Solar System: Planets and Facts
9. Pinterest:

 

Thanks for visiting…and see you on our next adventure: Galaxies!

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