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October Sky

Printable Version

Time Frame

5 class periods of 90 minutes each

Group Size

Small Groups

Life Skills

  • Communication
  • Employability

Authors

WARREN CHILD
JILL FLYGARE
JEFF SILLITO
Jana White

Summary

Students will complete a book report on October Sky that is developed with a mind map, written book report, and PowerPoint presentation demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of the major concepts and themes of the book.


Materials

Internet Access, PowerPoint software, October sky books for students, Materials for building a model rocket, Paper, writing utensils, TV/VCR, Copy of October Sky video, Inspiration Software


Background for Teachers

Websites

  • How Rocket Engines Work
    Take a look at rocket engines to understand how they work, as well as to understand some of the complexity surrounding them.
  • How Rockets Work
    General description of how rockets work.
  • Model Rockets
    A lesson plan for teaching students how to make a model rocket.
  • Nasa Space links
    In this area you will find a Teacher's Guide for Rocketry. Learn about the history, scientific principles and mathematics of Rockets through exciting problem-solving and cooperative learning activities.
  • Space Race
    Space race website, the process the US went through from 1958 to present.

Created for cross-curricular work with Science, English, Social Studies, and Computer Literacy teachers. There are some web sites for teachers to refer to, look at the web sites link below.


Student Prior Knowledge

Students need to be able to have some basic computer and typing skills.


Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able demonstrate: Understanding of rocketry, be able to describe and communicate to others how rocketry works, the time period it occurred in, the impact it had on the technology age, and create a presentation of their understanding.


Instructional Procedures

Attachments

  • Teams_table_final.doc
    TEAMS table for setting up learning stations. This document contains links to web sites, instructions, and programs used at each of the learning stations

Websites

  • Editing Skills
    Editing skills for good writing.
  • How Rocket Engines Work
    Take a look at rocket engines to understand how they work, as well as to understand some of the complexity surrounding them.
  • How Rockets Work
    General description of how rockets work.
  • Model Rocketry
    A lesson plan for teaching students how to make a model rocket.
  • Nasa Space Links
    In this area you will find a Teacher's Guide for Rocketry. Learn about the history, scientific principles and mathematics of Rockets through exciting problem-solving and cooperative learning activities.
  • Space Race
    Space race website, the process the US went through from 1958 to present.
  • The Writing Process
    Walks students through the writing process.

Begin with asking students what they know about rocketry and "October Sky". After Brainstorming list Learning outcomes on the board. Rooms are set up into 5 Learning Stations: Whole Group, Technology Station, Exploration Station I and II, Text Station. Before beginning the stations, supply students with some base information and how they will progress through the learning stations. Students then work within their learning groups to complete each of the learning station objectives to complete the lesson objectives. Students are evaluated on projects completed at the compilation activities.


Strategies for Diverse Learners

The lesson plan incorporates various instructional strategies that encompasses educational philosophy for a variety of learners through the use of learning stations.


Extensions

Science, Social Studies & English


Assessment Plan

Attachments

Students will be assessed on their writing and content in their book report for October Sky.


Created: 04/06/2004
Updated: 02/01/2018
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