Universe is the eighth unit in the Earth & Space course. In this unit you will learn about the size of the universe, stars, quasars, galaxies, dark matter, and more. This unit has sections on:
- Outer Space
- Stars
- Star Clusters & Galaxies
This is an activity based curriculum, where you learn by doing. Here are a few of the activities to choose from in this unit:
- Learn to measuring vast distance by using the method of parallax in a big field with trees, a meter stick, and a few other tools
- Paint a scene of the universe to learn about gravitational lensing
- See red shift and blue shift in action with marbles
- Color a diagram of the classification of stars and then go outside on a dark night and find real examples in the sky
- Cut and paste the life cycle of a star
- Build your own astrolabe with a printable and a drinking straw then use it to plot a star map and find your latitude
- Make a crayon sun catcher as you learn about our closest star, the sun
- And so much more!
Each Layers of Learning Science unit includes library lists of books, a family read-aloud suggestion, hands-on activities, printables and paper crafts, sidebars for extra learning, and tools to help you assess student’s progress and mastery. You can learn more about how Layers of Learning works in the Curriculum Guide. You may also want to purchase the Science Guidebook for even more information on how to teach and learn with Layers of Learning Science.
See Inside
Here is a two page spread from Universe:
Sidebars with extra learning ideas and facts line the center section of lesson plans and hands-on activities. This is a pick-and-choose curriculum so you decide on the things that will fit your interest and needs. Along with your hands-on activities you will be reading books from the Library List. The reading serves as the lecture and the activities serve as hooks to make learning deeper and memorable . . . not to mention fun.
Flexibility
This unit was written to be used for a month but contains plenty of content for many more weeks of learning if you choose. This is a pick-and-choose curriculum, meant to be cycled back to in the future when your child is older. As such, it intentionally includes far more material than you can possibly cover in a month.
Universe is also part of the overall Earth & Space course, the first Year of the four year Layers of Learning Science cycle. If you use the program in order, it will take you though the four branches of science from Earth & Space to Biology to Chemistry to Physics in a logical progression where skills are learned and then practiced and used. However, each unit stands alone and can be used independently of any other unit and in any order.
Printable Pack
This unit comes with a downloadable Printable Pack that includes all the student worksheets. The printables can be copied as many times as needed for your family or class.
You can download the Printable Pack from your receipt or from your account at Layers of Learning.
Extra Resources
This unit comes with extra weblinks and a YouTube video playlist on the Earth & Space Resources page.
Raven Green –