Astronomy Level 1

REAL Science Odyssey- Astronomy Level 1

Pages: 248

Grade level: 1st – 4th grade

Course type: textbook

Author: Blair H. Lee, M.S.

What is Astronomy Level 1?

REAL Science Odyssey- Astronomy Level 1 is a comprehensive, secular homeschool science curriculum. Students take a journey through the solar system with delightful space dust-bunny pals Bunny and Dusty. Along the way, they learn about more abstract concepts, such as the big bang, gravity, and the physical properties of light. Age-appropriate math and labs are woven into the course, providing students with many opportunities to apply the scientific method and reinforce their knowledge. The course guides elementary-age learners as they Read, Explore, Absorb, and Learn astronomy:

• Read– Fun, engaging readings introduce big ideas and details for the chapter. The text is designed to be read aloud to students, fostering questions and discussion.
• Explore– Carefully crafted, hands-on experiments demonstrate the workings of our solar system within the framework of physical science.
• Absorb– REAL Science engages visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic learners, to help every student understand and retain key concepts.
• Learn– with Astronomy Level 1, you don’t just learn about what’s out there in space, you investigate concepts and make observations for yourself!

It’s also important to understand what REAL Science Odyssey is not. This curriculum is NOT:

• A random selection of labs. It’s a fully developed, incremental homeschool science curriculum.
• Lightweight. Children will learn REAL astronomy, both observational and conceptual. They will find planets and constellations in the night sky, but also learn about the physics of the universe and how real scientists study it.
• Dry or boring. Night-sky observations, hands-on experiments, puzzles, and poems keep kids engaged and curious.
• Influenced by religion. All REAL Science Odyssey courses are secular and based on valid, empirical science.

Who can use Astronomy Level 1?

Elementary-age students are naturally curious about plants, animals, and the natural world. The RSO elementary life science curriculum leverages this curiosity. It gets children into the natural world to explore the diversity of life with all five senses. It starts with their own body, and broadens into a systematic study of the animal and plant kingdoms. The curriculum deepens their understanding of living systems through fun songs, observation, and experiments.

What’s more, you don’t need to have a science background to use this homeschool science curriculum! All materials are written with the life science novice in mind, so you don’t need to do a lot of extra research in advance of the lessons.

You can also use Astronomy Level 1 as part of a co-op or with multiple students. If you’re using the curriculum with more than one student, you can purchase extra copies of the consumable student pages separately.

If you need a homeschool science curriculum for a different grade or a different subject, check out the REAL Science Odyssey homepage!

Science Topics Covered

Astronomy Level 1 starts with the basics, and each unit builds on the last. Every unit reinforces aspects of the scientific method and critical thinking. Each unit explores a big idea or question in depth through reading, experiments, and conversation.

What Is Astronomy?

• Using light to learn about the universe
• The origin and age of the universe
• Properties of stars
• Other inhabitants of our universe: planets, asteroids, comets, etc.

Solar System

• Sun, planets, moons, and other objects in our space neighborhood
• Gravity’s role in holding the solar system together
• In-depth exploration of each planet in our solar system
• Space travel, both crewed and uncrewed
• Asteroid belt, Kuiper belt, and Oort cloud

Earth in Space

• Seasons
• The Goldilocks zone
• Rotation, orbit, and tilt

Science Skills Covered

• Applying the Scientific method
• Critical Thinking
• Observation
• Presenting scientific data
• Reading and interpreting informational texts

Lab Experiments

• Create a model timeline of the life of the universe giving them a sense of the timescale astronomers work with
• Explore the properties of waves using a simple rubber band instrument
• Build an accurate model of the Voyager space probe using household materials
• Head outside to stargaze, journaling which constellations and celestial objects they see. Hot cocoa optional, but recommended

. . . and much more! Each experiment includes detailed supply lists, step-by-step instructions, and, when needed, safety precautions.

Lab sheets guide your student through implementing the scientific method. Your student will gain experience:

• Formulating hypotheses based on knowledge gained from the reading
• Recording observations and results
• Drawing conclusions based on those results
• Reinforcing their knowledge by answering questions about the experiment.

Planning and Scheduling

• 18 weeks of material, assuming you teach science twice a week. [Combine Astronomy Level 1 with Earth & Environment Level 1 for a full year or more of science!]
• Suggested weekly schedule for the entire course
• Supply list break down for each week
• Instructor pages that guide you in implementing each lesson and lab
• Student pages are available if using the curriculum with more than one student

Important Copyright Information: If you choose the eBook version of this course, you are purchasing a license to use the PDF for your own children. You may make copies for your own children, but you may not share (email, download, print and distribute, resell, etc.) this eBook or any portion of this eBook to others.

Licensing is available for group, school, and co-op use. Please contact Pandia Press for details on group licensing (info@pandiapressbooks.com).