Develop a Model
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to represent the natural world using models such as volcanoes or Sun, Earth, and Moon system and identify their limitations, including size, properties, and materials.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that information, critical thinking, scientific problem solving, and the contributions of scientists are used in making decisions.
Science Background
A Closer Look, Scientific Models: Annenberg Learner (website) - Important information about scientific models, what they are, how they are developed, how and why they change over time, and what their limitations are.
A Closer Look, Scientific Models
Annenberg Learner, www.learner.org
Models are the Building Blocks of Science: The University of Texas (website) - Online article discusses different types of models, and explains their purpose and importance in the scientific world and other disciplines.
Models are the Building Blocks of Science
The University of Texas, www.utexas.edu
Signature Lesson
Modeling Day and Night: BioEd Online (website) – Students develop a model of the Earth using a ping-pong ball to understand the day and night cycle.
Modeling Day and Night
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org
Erupting Volcanoes: Science NetLinks (website) – Students investigate the rapid changes that occur during a volcanic eruption by designing and making a volcano model.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Build A Solar System: Exploratorium (website) – Students use an online calculator to create a scale model of the solar system on a roll of toilet paper or a tape measure.
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
A Scale Model of the Solar System using Play-Doh: NASA (website) - Students shape and arrange balls of Play-Doh into a scale model of our solar system.
A Scale Model of the Solar System using Play-Doh
NASA, stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov
Assessment Ideas
Have students bring recycling materials from home and use the materials to build a model of something in the solar system.
Literature Connections
Kids’ Paper Airplane Book. Blackburrn, Ken (ISBN-13: 978-0761104780)
The LEGO Ideas Book. Lipkowitz, Daniel (ISBN-13: 978-0756686062)
Additional Resources
Earth Science Week: American Geosciences Institute. (website) - Find a variety of activities that model earth science processes and structures on this website.
Earth Science Week
American Geosciences Institute, www.earthsciweek.org
TEKS Navigation
Grade 3
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