This week we will complete our Astronomy Unit with the last two areas of focus: the ancient astronomers v. the modern explorers. Students will study four specific ancient astronomers; Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Galileo, learning the two key concepts they represented, geocentric v. heliocentric theories. We will tape in and discuss a notepage about them, watch a slide show of the facts about them that must be learned, complete a study guide frame, draw their pictures based on their characteristics, and conclude with a 100 pt. test to determine student understanding. This is important Virginia standards of learning information.
Following the test we will conclude the unit with a discussion of how far we have come since the days of the ancient astronomers, focusing on space travel, which came into existence during my lifetime! After completing a graded activity using a space travel timeline, we will watch Apollo 13, a movie which leaves a lasting impression on students as we move on to a new unit.
