Standards
Idaho State Standards
Here are correlations to the Idaho State Language and Math standards and to the Idaho State Science Standards. For more information about the overall standards, see the complete Idaho Content Standards for Science, the Next Generation Science Standards, and the alignment between Idaho and NGSS Science Standards. You may also access the Idaho English Language Arts/Literacy Standards and Mathematics Standards.
Language
First Grade
ELA-1.ODC.OC.1
Engage in collaborative discussions about grade-level topics and texts with peers by listening to others closely, taking turns speaking through multiple exchanges, and asking questions to clear up any confusion.
Suggested Lesson
Draw a picture of your favorite galaxy. View some galaxies here. Tell the name of your galaxy and why you like it best.
Third Grade
ELA-3.ODC.OC.2
Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in a variety of media (audio, visual, and quantitative).
Suggested Lesson
Fold a piece of construction paper into four sections. Label each of the sections to match the four kinds of galaxies. Glue objects such as cereal, rice, or confetti to illustrate each of the galaxies. Write a sentence or two to explain the properties of each galaxy.
Fourth Grade
ELA-4.ODC.DC.6
Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, timelines, or interactive elements) on Web pages.
Suggested Lesson
Read the text about the four types of galaxies in the Facts page. Then go to this NASA site to see visuals of each type of galaxy. Discuss what you learn with a partner.
Fifth Grade
ELA-5.RS.IP.1
Conduct short research tasks to take some action or share findings orally or in writing by formulating research questions; gathering relevant and reliable information from both primary and secondary sources as appropriate; paraphrasing and quoting ideas and information; and respecting copyright guidelines for use of that information and any images.
Suggested Lesson
Research the life of a scientist who contributed to the study of galaxies. Create a PowerPoint presentation about this person.
Math
Kindergarten
Math-K.CC.B.4
Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.
Suggested Lesson
How hard is it to count galaxies? Take a pinch of sand, salt or sugar and drop it into a colored bowl. Count the number of grains. What if you had two pinches, five pinches, ten pinches?
Second Grade
Math-2.MD.A.1
Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.
Suggested Lesson
Using this NASA site for inspiration, have students make a mobile of galactic objects — instructing them in exact measurements, diameters, etc.
Fifth Grade
Math-5.G.A.1
Describe and understand the key attributes of the coordinate plane.
a. Use a pair of perpendicular number lines (axes) with the intersection of the lines (the origin (0,0)) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the plane located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates.
b. Understand that the x-coordinate, the first number in an ordered pair, indicates movement parallel to the x-axis starting at the origin; and the y-coordinate, the second number, indicates movement parallel to the y-axis starting at the origin.
Suggested Lesson
Create a coordinates activity using pictures of real galaxies — which can be found here.
Sixth Grade
Math-6.EE.A.1
Write and evaluate numerical expressions involving whole-number exponents.
Suggested Lesson
Write the distance to various galaxies representing the numbers as exponents.
Science
First Grade
Earth and Space Sciences: 1-ESS-1.1
Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
Supporting Content
Patterns of the motion of the sun, moon, and stars in the sky can be observed, described, and predicted.
Stars other than our sun are visible at night but not during the day.
Third Grade
Physical Sciences: 3-PS-1.2
Make observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.
Supporting Content
The patterns of an object's motion in various situations can be observed and measured; when that past motion exhibits a regular pattern, future motion can be predicted from it.
Fifth Grade
Earth and Space Sciences: 5-ESS-1.1
Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the Sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from the Earth.
Supporting Content
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.
Sixth Grade
Physical Sciences: MS-PS-2.4
Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects.
Supporting Content
Gravitational forces are always attractive. There is a gravitational force between any two masses, but it is very small except when one or both of the objects have large mass (such as planet and its star.)
Examples of evidence for arguments could include data generated from simulations or digital tools; and charts displaying mass, strength of interaction, distance from the Sun, and orbital periods of objects within the solar system.
Earth and Space Sciences: MS-ESS-1.2
Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the orbital motions within galaxies and the solar system.
Supporting Content
Earth and its solar system are part of the Milky Way galaxy, which is only one of many galaxies in the universe.
The solar system consists of the Sun and a collection of objects, including planets their moons, and asteroids that are held in orbit around the Sun by its gravitational pull on them.
Emphasis for the model is on gravity as the force that holds together the solar system and Milky Way galaxy and controls orbital motions within them. Examples of models can be physical (such as the analogy of distance along a football field or computer visualizations of elliptical orbits) or conceptual (such as mathematical proportions relative to the size of familiar objects such as students' school or state.)