Welcome to USF Stavros Center!DR. DEBORAH KOZDRASCHRISTINE ANGEL DANGER

Design Process

Toothpaste

What would they do?

If Kids Ruled the World When Would They Play?

Kindergarten

SC.K.E.5.2: Recognize the repeating pattern of day and night. SS.K.E.1.4 Identify the difference between basic needs and wants. SS.K.C.2.3 Describe fair ways for groups to make decisions.

LAFS.K.SL.1.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. a. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion). b. Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.

If Kids Ruled the World When Would They Play?

If Kids Ruled the World When Would They Play?

Letter 1 Dear Students,

I want to play! I want to play all day and all night. My mom says I need to come in and have dinner then get ready for bed when the sun goes down.

She also says I have lots of chores to do and I need to pick a day to stay inside and do them all. It takes me 3 hours to do my chores. The problem is I don’t know which day to do my chores.

Can you also tell me how you decided on which day I should stay inside and do my chores? What

if mom asks me again next week? I want to be able to decide for myself.

Thank you, Hayden

If Kids Ruled the World When Would They Play?

What is the problem? (Hayden has to pick a day to stay inside)Who is the client? (Hayden)What does the client want? (for you to pick a day for him)Why is Hayden asking you to select a day for him? (he can't decide)

Bedtime Temperature Ice Cream Truck

Monday 8:00 PM Hot No

Tuesday 8:00 PM Cold Yes

Wednesday 8:00 PM Cool Yes

Thursday 8:00 PM Hot Yes

Friday 9:00 PM Warm No

Data Set 1

The sun rises at 7:00 AM. I go to school from 8:00AM until 3:00PM. The sun sets at 6:00PM.

5:00 AM

Sunrise 6:00 AM

Leave for school 7:00 AM

School Starts 8:00 AM

School 9:00 AM

School 10:00 AM

School 11:00 AM

School 12:00 PM

School 1:00 PM

School 2:00 PM

School Dismissal 3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

Sunset 7:00 PM

8:00 PM

9:00 PM

Day of the Week : Monday

Which category do you think is most important to Hayden?How did your group figure out which day Hayden should do his chores?

How is your plan different from other teams? Do you all agree with this idea?

Do you think Hayden will be happy with the day you selected?What will Hayden miss out on while doing his chores this day? What would be the costs? What are the consequences?

Why is this a good day to stay inside?

Letter 2 Dear Students, I forgot to tell you about my soccer games this week! I don’t want to let my team down by missing the games. Can you check to make sure I don’t miss a game when I stay inside to do my chores? Here is my soccer schedule: Monday 4:00pm – 5:00pm Friday 4:00pm – 5:00pm Saturday 12pm – 2pm Please let me know what day you choose. Please also let me know the steps you used to make your pick. Are these the same steps you used before? Please tell me why your steps did/did not change. Thanks! Hayden

Which category do you think is most important to Hayden?How did your group figure out which day Hayden should do his chores?

How is your plan different from other teams? Do you all agree with this idea?

Do you think Hayden will be happy with the day you selected?What will Hayden miss out on while doing his chores this day? What would be the costs? What are the consequences?

Why is this a good day to stay inside?

Bedtime Temperature Ice Cream Truck

Soccer

Monday 8:00 PM Hot No YesTuesday 8:00 PM Cold Yes No

Wednesday 8:00 PM Cool Yes NoThursday 8:00 PM Hot Yes No

Friday 9:00 PM Warm No YesSaturday 9:00 PM Cool Yes YesSunday 7:00 PM Hot Yes No

Data Set 2

Reflection question 2

Did you use the same strategy to decide which day Hayden should stay in?

Did you change your mind about what day he should stay in? Why or why not?

Did you try more than 1 way to determine which day Hayden should stay in?

AssessmentName__________________ Score_____/15__

Letter to Teacher Scoring Rubric Speaking and Listening-

(Consistently contributes to the discussion demonstrating grade appropriate use of

language.)

Problem Solving Strategies (Consistently uses a variety of problem

solving strategies. Effectively justifies choice of procedures.)

Scientific Content (consistently uses observations about the day

and night’s repetitive nature to help make decisions)

Excellent (3)

Good (2)

Poor (1)

Comments:_______________________________________________________________________

If Kids Ruled the World Which Water Park Would They Choose?

First Grade Dear Students, I am writing you from Wacky Water World. We are a travel agency that help families plan the best water park vacation. We were advised that your class has been studying water and have become experts in the field of water safety.

Recently the Cano family came into our office requesting information on the best water parks. The family consists of a mom, dad and two twin girls. The girls are 7 years old and cannot swim but love water slides and getting in the pool. The family would like to attend the water park all day.

I am asking that you please rank the data from best to worst water park and please tell me your procedure as to how you ranked the data.

I am eagerly waiting on your response. Sincerely Wade Brookes Manager of Wacky Water World

Readiness Questions

1. What is the problem? 2. Who is the client? 3. What is the client asking your group to do? 4. Do you think there is more than one correct answer to what the client is asking? Why or why not?

Read and Discuss Water Safety Article

Water Safety When the weather turns warm, everyone wants to be in or around the water. Hanging out at the pool or the beach on a hot day is a great way to beat the heat.

While having fun and splashing around, most people don't think much about water safety — but they should. For people between the ages of 5 and 24, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death.

It doesn't have to be that way, though. Most water-related accidents can be avoided by knowing how to stay safe and following a few simple guidelines. Learning how to swim is essential if you plan on being on or near water. Many organizations provide swim instruction to people of all ages, check to see what classes are available in your area.

Water Park Hours Life guards Deepest water Flotation devices Number of Water Slides for kids

Splash Time 7am-2pm Yes. 8ft. You must bring your own

12

Water Wings 10am-7pm Yes, only for 2 hours

6ft. Life jackets 8

Rainys 2pm-9pm No- Parental Supervision is required at all times

5ft. Water wings are available to purchase

5

Aqua fun 8am-4pm Only at the pool. All other rides require parental supervision

12ft. Life jackets, water wings and water suits are free.

7

•Water Park Data 2

Comprehension/Readiness Questions

◦Why do you think this is the best water park for the family?

◦How did your team rank the parks?◦What were the procedures?◦What are the most important details to consider in your decision making process?

Reading Passage 2

Dear Students, I was so impressed to hear from you so promptly regarding the best water parks for the family. You did an amazing and precise job ranking the parks from best to worst. I can easily tell that you worked very hard to form these conclusions. However, the family called me last night and told me that the twins really enjoy water slides. With that being said, I have attached data regarding the amount of water slides offered at each park. I need you to rank the parks again with the new information that we have provided. You may find that you might need to change your initial procedure since you now have this data. Please write me back to let me know which water park you have chosen for the family. Also please let me know your procedures as to how this was determined. The girls are ready to make a huge splash!!! Sincerely Wade Brookes Manager of Wacky Water World

•Water Park Data 2

Water Park Hours Life guards Deepest water Flotation devices Number of Water Slides for kids

Splash Time 7am-2pm Yes. 8ft. You must bring your own

12

Water Wings 10am-7pm Yes, only for 2 hours

6ft. Life jackets 8

Rainys 2pm-9pm No- Parental Supervision is required at all

times

5ft. Water wings are available to

purchase

5

Aqua fun 8am-4pm Only at the pool. All other rides

require parental supervision

12ft. Life jackets, water wings and water

suits are free.

7

•Data Set 2 Page

• Reflection questions 21.Did you use a new strategy to determine the ranking of the Water

Parks? 2.Did the Water Park you recommend remain the same after looking

at data set 2? 3.If not, what were the factors that lead to the changing of this

decision? 4.Are there any concerns with the Water Park you have chosen? If so

what?

If Kids Ruled the World When Would they Vacation at the

Beach? Second Grade

SC.2.E.7.1: Compare and describe changing patterns in nature that repeat themselves, such as weather conditions including temperature and precipitation, day to day and season to season. SS.2.E.1.1 Recognize that people make choices because of limited resources.

If Kids Ruled the World When Would they Vacation at the Beach?

LAFS.2.SL.1.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

a. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).

b. Build on others’ talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.

c. Ask for clarification and further explanation as needed about the topics and texts under discussion.

Reading Passage 1 Dear Students,

My name is Jennifer and I represent Big Beach Travels. We are a travel agency located in Pennsylvania. I am just starting a new job with this company, and my first clients are interested in visiting Florida. They have heard that Daytona is a lot of fun, so they want me to book them a trip there. It is very important that I do a good job, which is why I am asking for your help.

My clients love the beach and want to spend as much time as they can out on the sand. They have heard that sometimes it is too hot or too cold in Daytona and that some months it rains a lot.

I could use your assistance to make this decision. I have sent you the weather patterns chart for Daytona Beach. Please look at the information on the chart and help me figure out what month is best for my clients to visit. Please remember they want to spend as much time as possible on the beach. Please respond in a letter to me describing how you decided on the month that you chose. This may help me in the future when I have to decide for a different client.

Thank you very much for all of the hard work you will be doing. Regards, Jennifer Cleary Big Beach Travels

Readiness Questions

1.What is the problem?2.Who is the client?3.What have you been asked to do?4.Why is this important?5.What things do you need to include in your

solution?

Temperature Reference Chart

0-40 degrees

VERY COLD!

41-59 degrees

COLD

60-70 degrees

COOL

71-90 degrees

WARM

91 degrees and up

HOT!

Class Discussion Questions a) The temperature is 70 degrees. Would you wear a scarf and hat? b) The temperature is 40 degrees. Would you wear a bathing suit to the beach?

c) The temperature is 85 degrees. Can you wear a bathing suit to the beach? d) The temperature is 99 degrees. Would you wear a sweater? e) What would you decide to wear outside to play if it was 83 degrees outside?

f) What would you decide to wear outside to play if it was 58 degrees outside?

Daytona Beach Month Low Temperature (the coldest

the temperature was during the entire month)

High Temperature (the hottest the temperature was during the

entire month)

Average Temperature (this means the usual or ordinary temperature for the month)

Average precipitation (this means the usual or ordinary amount of inches of rain that

falls during each month.)

Jan 47 68 57 3 Feb 48 70 59 3Mar 54 75 64 3Apr 59 80 69 2May 65 85 75 3Jun 71 88 79 6Jul 73 90 81 5

Aug 73 89 81 6Sep 72 87 79 6Oct 65 82 73 4Nov 56 76 66 3Dec 50 70 60 3

Guiding/Reflective Questions 1. How has your team decided to rank the months? 2. What information did your team decide was most important? 3. What temperature do you feel is ideal for the beach? *FOR NUMBERS 1-4 HAVE STUDENTS SHARE OUT THEIR ANSWERS, AND TELL WHY OR WHY NOT.

Reading Passage 2 Dear Students, Thank you for all of your hard work. I can see why you chose the month that you did. After reviewing the information with my clients, they have decided that they would rather travel to Fort Lauderdale, where they have more family. The family has also informed me that they would like to visit when there is a beach music festival or concert taking place.

I have given you the same information for Fort Lauderdale that I gave you for Daytona Beach, as well as a calendar of events for Fort Lauderdale Beach. Please review your procedure and make any changes you need to. Please send a letter back to me, ranking the months from best time to visit to worst, and explain your steps to reaching this decision. Did you make any changes to how you chose the best month? If so, what were they?

Thank you again for all of the work you are doing.

Reflection question 2 How has your job changed? What does the client want you to do? Did your procedures change from the first set of data?

Daytona Beach

Month Low Temperature (the coldest the temperature was during the entire month)

High Temperature (the hottest the temperature was during the entire month)

Average Temperature (this means the usual or ordinary temperature for the month)

Average precipitation (this means the usual or ordinary amount of inches of rain that falls during each month.)

Jan 47 68 57 3 Feb 48 70 59 3Mar 54 75 64 3Apr 59 80 69 2May 65 85 75 3Jun 71 88 79 6Jul 73 90 81 5

Aug 73 89 81 6Sep 72 87 79 6Oct 65 82 73 4Nov 56 76 66 3Dec 50 70 60 3

Part 2 – Grades 3-5 MEA Earth

Welcome to USF Stavoros Center!DR. DEBORAH KOZDRASCHRISTINE ANGEL DANGER

Design Process

What would they do?

If Kids Ruled the World What Energy Source Would They

Choose? Third Grade

SS.3.E.1.3 Recognize that buyers and sellers interact to exchange goods and services through the use of trade or money.SC.3.E.5.2 Identify the Sun as a star that emits energy; some of it in the form of light.SC.3.P.10.1 Identify some basic forms of energy such as light, heat, sound, electrical, and mechanical

If Kids Ruled the World What Energy Source Would They

Choose?LAFS.3.W.1.1 : Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.

Provide reasons that support the opinion.

Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.

Provide a concluding statement or section.

LAFS.3.W.1.1a : Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.

LAFS.3.W.1.1b : Provide reasons that support the opinion.

LAFS.3.W.1.1c : Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.

LAFS.3.W.1.1d : Provide a concluding statement or section.

LAFS.3.SL.1.1 :Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Reading Passage 1Monsters Inc. 2015 Solution Way Cleanville, FL 36498

Dear Students, My name is Mike Wazowski and I am the new Sustainability Manager of Monster Inc., a manufacturing company in Florida. We are building a new factory in Florida and need to decide which type of energy to use to power it. The kids in the local community want us to use a form of energy that will protect Florida’s environment so that they will have a clean and safe place to live when they grow up. We need to know what type of energy you would suggest that our developers use in our new factory. We have given you an energy chart to help you make your decision. Please write us back on the attached template, including how you arrived at your decision. Thank you for your assistance with this project!

Regards, Mike Monsters Inc.

Readiness Questions

What were the wants of the Mike? Did he want goods or services? What criteria did Mike mention?

Energy Source

What is it? Renewable or nonrenewable?

What problems does it cause?

Biomass Biomass is anything that is alive. It is also anything that was alive a short time ago. Trees, crops, garbage, and animal waste are all biomass. Most of the biomass we use for energy today is wood. We burn wood to make heat.

Biomass energy is renewable, which means more biomass can be made in a short time. We can always grow more plants.

Burning biomass doesn’t cause as much pollution as burning coal. But many people don’t like to burn waste near their towns. Sometimes it smells bad. Waste-to-energyplants work to scrub the air from the burning waste to reduce pollution and smells.

Coal Coal is shiny, black rock. Coal has lots of energy in it. When it is burned, it makes heat and light energy.

The coal we use today took millions of years to form. We can’t make more in a short time. Thatis why it is called nonrenewable.

Most coal is buried under the ground. We must dig itout—mine it. Mining can damage land because often all of the trees are cut down and the ground is dug up. When coal is burned, it can pollute the air.

Comprehension/readiness questions

Which resources are scarce? Scarce resources are non-renewable. Which energy sources are scarce? What are the costs of the different energy choices?What are the benefits of the choices?Which decision would you make based on the criteria mentioned by Mike?Based on your research, are there any other things you would recommend to Mike?

Dear Mike, Our team has reviewed all of the data that you provided and are suggesting the following types of energy for Monsters Inc. We have ranked the types of energy in order beginning with our top choice.   Top Choice of Energy:   Alternate Choice #1: Alternate Choice #2:   Alternate Choice #3: Alternate Choice #4: The evidence we used to make our choice was:    Our step-by-step procedure for selecting our top choice of energy was:

Thank you for the opportunity to assist you with this project! Sincerely,

Reading Passage 2Monsters Inc. 2015 Solution Way Cleanville, FL 36498

Dear Students, Thank you for your recommendations. We have eliminated some of the nonrenewable sources of energy based on recommendations from you and other kids. We added nuclear power because it is very cheap. Please find out more about nuclear power by reading the article we have sent to you and consider it as an option too. We need to use a type of energy you would that does not cost too much. We have given you an energy cost chart to help you make your decision. This chart shows how much it would cost to build the components we need to produce each type of energy. Our company cannot exceed the $700,000 budget for energy use. Please write us back on the attached template, including how you arrived at your decision. Thank you for your assistance with this project!

Regards, Mike Monsters Inc.

Dear Mike,   Our team has reviewed all of the data that you provided and are suggesting the following types of energy for Monsters Inc. We have ranked the types of energy in order beginning with our top choice.   Top Choice of Energy: Alternate Choice #1: Alternate Choice #2:   Alternate Choice #3: Alternate Choice #4: The evidence we used to make our choice was:  

Our step-by-step procedure for selecting our top choice of energy was:    Thank you for the opportunity to assist you with this project! Sincerely,

The Twist Uranium (Nuclear Energy)

Uranium is a mineral found in rocks in the ground. Uranium is nonrenewable. We can’t make more. There is plenty of uranium in many parts of the world. We split uranium atoms to release energy. There is energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. It is called nuclear energy. It holds the atom together. To use this energy, we have to set it free. To free the energy in atoms is to split them apart. We can split one atom into two smaller atoms. This is called fission. The two smaller atoms don’t need all the energy that held the larger atom together. The extra energy is released as heat and radiation.

Data Set 2

Reflection question 2 Why do you think they decided not to use some of the energy sources that were eliminated? (Discuss scarce resources). What are the costs of the choices? What are the benefits of the choices? Which decision would you make based on the criteria mentioned by Mike? Based on your research, are there any other things you would recommend to Mike? What type(s) of energy can Monsters Inc. consider using while staying within their $700,000 budget? Answer: Solar, Wind, Hydro, and Nuclear. What type(s) of energy exceeds the $700,000 budget? Answer: Natural Gas. What is the problem? Answer: The client needs to know what type of energy would be best for the new factory. Who is the client? Answer: Mike from Monsters Inc. What is the client asking your team to do? Answer: What things do you need to include in your solution? Answer: A ranking of energy type suggestions and the procedure used to get those rankings. Do you think there is more than one correct answer to what the client is asking? Why or why not? Answer: Yes, because it is based on student

priority interpretation.

If Kids Ruled the World What

Would They do with the Trash?

Fourth Grade

SC.4.E.6.3: Recognize that humans need resources found on Earth and that these are either renewable or nonrenewable.

Remarks/Examples:

Annually assessed on Grade 5 Science FCAT 2.0. Also assesses SC.4.E.6.1. SC.4.L.17.4:

Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the environment.

Remarks/Examples:

Introduce the impacts of invasive species, such as Brazilian pepper, Cuban anole, Kudzu, Australian pine, non-native pets released into wild (Burmese python). Ocean pollution resulting from discharge of sewage, toxic chemicals, manufacturing wastes, fertilizers, soaps, detergents, runoff and insecticides population growth causes consumption of limited resources and land use expansion to accommodate for more people animal extinction (endangered and threatened species).

If Kids Ruled the World What Would They do with the Trash?

LAFS.4.RI.1.1:

Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

LAFS.4.RI.2.4:

Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.

LAFS.4.SL.1.1:

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

a.Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.

b.Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.

c.Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.

d.Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.

LAFS.4.L.3.6: Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases as found in grade level appropriate texts, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation).

Material Renewable or nonrenewable

Energy Water environment Profit per pound

Paper Renewable

Made from trees

Recycling one pound of paper saves enough fuel to power a television for about 30 minutes.

Making a pound of new paper requires about 3.5 gallons of water.

Making a pound of recycled paper uses about .5 gallons of water. The polluted water needs to be disposed of.

One tree makes about 100 pounds of paper. Americans use about 700 pounds of paper per year per person.

Making paper causes water pollution.

2 cents per pound

Glass Nonrenewable

Made from sand mined from the ground.

By recycling one bottle you save enough energy to run a 100 watt light bulb for 4 hours.

Making a pound of glass requires about .5 gallons of water. The water evaporates as steam.

Making new glass factories causes air pollution. Recycling glass does not.

4 cents per pound

Aluminum Nonrenewable

Made of bauxite ore mined from the Earth

Recycling one can saves enough energy to power a television set for 3 hours.

Recycling aluminum creates 97% less water pollution than producing new metal from ore.

Mining aluminum can destroy large areas of land.

35 cents per pound

Plastic

Nonrenewable

Plastic is made from petroleum (oil).

Recycling one bottle can save enough energy to run a 100-watt light bulb for 3 1/2 hours.

over 46,000 pieces of plastic debris float on every square mile of the ocean

Oil drilling and transporting oil can cause pollution and serious environmental damage.

8 cents per pound

•Data Set 1

Material Renewable or nonrenewable

Energy Water environment Profit per pound

Paper Renewable Made from trees

Recycling one pound of paper saves enough fuel to power a television for about 30 minutes.

Making a pound of new paper requires about 3.5 gallons of water. Making a pound of recycled paper uses about .5 gallons of water.

One tree makes about 100 pounds of paper. Americans use about 700 pounds of paper per year per person.Making paper causes water pollution.

2 cents per pound

Glass NonrenewableMade from sand mined from the ground.

By recycling one bottle you save enough energy to run a 100 watt light bulb for 4 hours.

Making a pound of glass requires about .5 gallons of water. The water evaporates as steam.

Making new glass factories causes air pollution. Recycling glass does not.

4 cents per pound

Aluminum NonrenewableMade of bauxite ore mined from the Earth

Recycling one can saves enough energy to power a television set for 3 hours.

Recycling aluminum creates 97% less water pollution than producing new metal from ore.

Mining aluminum can destroy large areas of land.

35 cents per pound

Plastic

NonrenewablePlastic is made from petroleum (oil).

Recycling one bottle can save enough energy to run a 100-watt light bulb for 3 1/2 hours.

over 46,000 pieces of plastic debris float on every square mile of the ocean

Oil drilling and transporting oil can cause pollution and serious environmental damage.

8 cents per pound

electronic NonrenewableMade from plastic, metals, and glass

Recycling seven steel cans saves energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for 26 hours.

When e waste is thrown away toxins such as lead can get into the water and poison animals and people.

E Waste is a major cause of air and water pollution. The problem is growing.

About $25 per cell phone, $30 per broken computer, $3 per used ink cartridge

Steel Nonrenewable Made from ore mined from the Earth

Recycling 20 grams of steel (about 1 can) saves enough energy to power a whole home for about an hour.

Very little water is used in steel manufacturing. Most of the water is used to cool the steel and is reused in the factory.

Mining iron ore to make steel can destroy large areas of land. Most steel is recycled, so not very much is mined anymore.

14 cents per pound

Styrofoam(polystyrene)

NonrenewableMade from oil

Recycling 1 pound saves enough electricity to run a 100-watt light bulb for 3 hours.

Every year Americans throw away 25,000,000,000 Styrofoam cups. They take up a lot of space and NEVER break down.

Oil drilling and transporting oil can cause pollution and serious environmental damage.

3 cents per pound

•Data Set 2

If Kids Ruled Space Which Telescope Would They Chose? Fifth Grade

SC.5.E.5.3 Distinguish among the following objects of the Solar System -- Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets -- and identify Earth's position in it.

LAFS.5.SL.1.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

MAFS.5.NBT.2.7 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.

Letter/Reading Passage 1

I have heard from your teacher that you are learning about comets, asteroids, and meteors. These are objects in space that are often very difficult to see without the help of a telescope. We know that if kids ruled, they would have telescopes to use. We have a plan to help kids see these objects in space more clearly.

Kids Rule Astronomy is planning to open up a center in your neighborhood in which students can come and use telescopes to view the night sky. We plan to furnish the center with the best telescopes available for the students to use. In our search for the best telescopes we have found that the opinions vary from scientist to scientist. We have compiled a table which outlines some of the categories we feel would be important as well as the ratings that were given by scientists. We have a budget of $2500 to purchase telescopes.

We have enclosed an article which outlines the qualities to look for when decided on the best telescope. Please read the enclosed article to familiarize yourself with telescopes. Once you have read this article please collaborate with your group to rate the telescopes that were listed in the chart provided with this letter.

Please rate each telescope and write down the procedure, or rules, you used to rate them.

Please send a letter back to us informing us of how you rated the telescopes, which telescopes we should purchase, and how many we can buy with $2500.

If Kids Ruled Space Which Telescope Would They Chose?

Gather information/Research

Text connection, PowerPoint

Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors The sun, planets, and moons aren’t the only objects in the solar system. There are also

millions of smaller objects, most of which are classified as comets and asteroids.

You can think of a comet as a “dirty snowball” about the size of an Earth mountain. Comets are chunks of ice and dust whose orbits are usually very long, narrow ellipses. Because their orbits are so elliptical, few comets pass near Earth. When a comet gets close enough to the sun, the ice turns into gas, releasing dust. The gas and dust form an outer layer called the coma. The inner layer of the comet is called the nucleus. The coma and the nucleus make up the comet’s head, which is the brightest part of the comet. Some of the gas from a comet is pushed away from the sun by the solar wind. This forms the comet’s tail. A comet’s tail is stretched very thinly and can be hundreds of millions of kilometers long.

COMMET OR ASTEROID?

HOW CAN YOU TELL?

COMET

A comet is a celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.

ASTEROIDAn asteroid is a rocky body orbiting the sun. Large numbers of asteroids ranging in size from nearly 600 miles (1,000 km) across to dust particles orbit the sun. There is a large band of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter. Some pass clodse to Earth.

ASTEROIDAn asteroid is a rocky body orbiting the sun. Large numbers of asteroids ranging in size from nearly 600 miles (1,000 km) across to dust particles orbit the sun. There is a large band of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter. Some pass clodse to Earth.

COMET

A comet is a celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.

COMET

A comet is a celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.

COMET

A comet is a celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.

ASTEROIDAn asteroid is a rocky body orbiting the sun. Large numbers of asteroids ranging in size from nearly 600 miles (1,000 km) across to dust particles orbit the sun. There is a large band of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter. Some pass clodse to Earth.

COMETS PHOTOGRAPHED THROUGH TELESCOPES

ASTEROIDS PHOTOGRAPHED THROUGH TELESCOPES

Optics Stability and Tracking

Ease of Use

Help and Support Price

Vixen OpticsTelescope

10 Manual tracking 8.5 Automated support service available between 9-5. Very difficult to talk to a live person

$485.00

Solar MaxxTelescope

6.5 Electronic tracking

7 24 - hour live support. Very low customer service ratings. Lots of complaints about bad service and rude representatives

$379.95

CelestronTelescope

6.5 Electronic Tracking

10 Live support services between 9-5 $599.00

CoronadoTelescope

9.5 Manual Tracking 7.5 24 hour automated support assistance. Live support service between 9-3

$479.00

StarGazerTelescope

8 Manual Tracking 6 24-hour live support service. Customer service is very friendly

$449.99

A panel of scientist used each of the telescopes and rated them in each of the following categories: Optics, Stability and tracking, Ease of Use and Help and support. The chart below summarizes the ratings the scientists gave the telescopes in each of the categories with 1 being the lowest rating and 10 the highest.

The Twist Thank you so much for the information that you provided to us. Since we received your letter we have received information from two additional telescope companies as well as discovering that we will be receiving an additional $500 to buy more telescopes for your neighborhood astronomy center. Each of the telescope company gives a discounts if we purchase four or more telescopes from them. Using this new information will you please determine if the procedure you used for rating the telescopes still works. If you must change your rating procedures please let us know what changes were made. I will look forward to receiving your letter indicating the telescopes we should purchase, the new rating for the telescopes, as well as any changes to the rating procedure that needed to be made.

New DataCompany Optics Stability and Tracking Ease of Use Help and Support Price Discount

Vixen OpticsTelescope

10 Manual tracking 8.5 Automated support service available between 9-5. Very difficult to talk to a live person

$485.00 5%

Solar MaxxTelescope

6.5 Electronic tracking 7 24 - hour live support. Very low customer service ratings. Lots of complaints about bad service and rude representatives

$379.95 5%

CelestronTelescope

6.5 Electronic Tracking 10 Live support services between 9-5 $599.00 7%

CoronadoTelescope

9.5 Manual Tracking 7.5 24 hour automated support assistance. Live support service between 9-3

$479.00 5%

StarGazerTelescope

8 Manual Tracking 6 24-hour live support service. Customer service is very friendly

$449.99 10%

Great SkyTelescope

7.5 Manual Tracking 8.5 24 hour live support service. Very friendly staff and very easy to get through to someone

$449.99 10%

OrionTelescope

10 Electronic Tracking 6 24 hour live support service. Hold time averages 15 minutes

$375.00 7%