October 2001     Vol.2 Issue 10

Suggested lesson plan for Marissa (Ill.)
students send experiments into space

Readability: About sixth grade level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Marissa High School, Queensland, Australia, Project Aria, Washington University, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Melanie Dickey, Chelsea Kinsel, Alyssa Lewis, Amy Hagen, Fred Lewis, Gina Gilley, Lindsey Erb, Huntington College in Indiana, John Brown College in Arkansas, University of Illinois at Champaign
Other words: comparative, duplicate, germinated, fluctuations, equivalent, alternate, symposium, hydroponics, aeronautical, forensics

BEFORE READING: There are twenty-six sets of names and terms in the list above. Have the young reader read the items as you provided help where needed. If no more than three terms call for help, encourage the young reader to read the article silently. If four to seven terms require help, encourage the young reader to read the article aloud to you. If eight or more terms cause difficulty, you offer to read the article aloud. In all instances, note that questions will be raised afterward.

DURING READING: For the silent reader, offer up front to help with any words if asked. For the child reading aloud, supply any words that are problems in order to keep the reading fluent. If you read aloud, model fluent and expressive oral reading.

AFTER READING: Use question such as those following to check comprehension or promote discussion.

1. Describe the project the students are doing in space with NASA.
2. What did the kids do a year ago as part of the total experiment?
3. What did the students find when the two projects were compared?
4. What explanation was offered to explain the differences?
5. How did participation in these science projects seem to influence some of the kids?