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Lesson Title: Train Like an Astronaut
Grade Levels: 4-6 and 7-9
Connection To Curriculum:
Science, Mathematics, Physical
Science
Teacher Prep Time: 1 hour
Lesson Time Needed: 4 hours
Complexity: Moderate
Keywords: disorientation, vestibular
system, muscles, bones, brain, space
adaptation, exercise, pressure changes
Materials:
Walk-Back Mission
Educational Resources
• Base Station Walk-Back Mission Handout
• Base Station Walk-Back Mission Log
• Base Station Walk-Back Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Optional equipment:
• watch or stopwatch
• heart rate monitor
• pedometer
• walking wheel
Crew Strength Training
Educational Resources
• Crew Strength Training Mission Handout
• Crew Strength Training Mission Log
• Crew Strength Training Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Optional equipment:
• watch or stopwatch
• wall access
• metronome
Do a Spacewalk
Educational Resources
• Do a Spacewalk! Mission Handout
• Do a Spacewalk! Mission Log
• Do a Spacewalk! Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Tape measure or meter stick
• Optional equipment:
• Watch or stopwatch
Jump for the Moon
Educational Resources
• Jump for the Moon Mission Handout
• Jump for the Moon Mission Log
• Jump for the Moon Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Jump rope (one per student)
• Watch or stopwatch
• Optional equipment:
• Heart rate monitor
Mission: Control!
Educational Resources
• Mission: Control! Mission Handout
• Mission: Control! Mission Log
• Mission: Control! Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Practice:
• Tennis ball (one per student)
• Watch or stopwatch (one per student)
• Game: gym ball or similar sized/weighted ball (at least one per group)
Educational Resources
• Base Station Walk-Back Mission Handout
• Base Station Walk-Back Mission Log
• Base Station Walk-Back Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Optional equipment:
• watch or stopwatch
• heart rate monitor
• pedometer
• walking wheel
Crew Strength Training
Educational Resources
• Crew Strength Training Mission Handout
• Crew Strength Training Mission Log
• Crew Strength Training Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Optional equipment:
• watch or stopwatch
• wall access
• metronome
Do a Spacewalk
Educational Resources
• Do a Spacewalk! Mission Handout
• Do a Spacewalk! Mission Log
• Do a Spacewalk! Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Tape measure or meter stick
• Optional equipment:
• Watch or stopwatch
Jump for the Moon
Educational Resources
• Jump for the Moon Mission Handout
• Jump for the Moon Mission Log
• Jump for the Moon Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Jump rope (one per student)
• Watch or stopwatch
• Optional equipment:
• Heart rate monitor
Mission: Control!
Educational Resources
• Mission: Control! Mission Handout
• Mission: Control! Mission Log
• Mission: Control! Educator Guide
• Download the Videos
Windows Media (WMV)
closed and open captions
QuickTime (MOV)
closed open captions
• Mission Journal and pencil
• Practice:
• Tennis ball (one per student)
• Watch or stopwatch (one per student)
• Game: gym ball or similar sized/weighted ball (at least one per group)
Description
This lesson is a physical and inquiry-based approach to human health and fitness on Earth and in space. Students can participate in physical activities modeled after the real-life physical requirements of humans traveling in space.
Objectives
Students will:
- Set goals and challenge themselves, as well as other students, in the Fit Explorer Challenge.
- Practice physical activities as they train like an astronaut with Mission Handouts.
- Make observations on physical improvements, research fitness and exploration topics, and log their goals in a Mission Journal.
- Engage in hands-on activities to learn about the science of physical activity and the science of nutrition.
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Lesson Guide Train Like an Astronaut Lesson Guide [324KB PDF file] |
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Lesson Activities and Sequence
- Base Station Walk-Back
Students will train to improve lung, heart and other muscle endurance as they walk a progressive, measured distance.
Keywords: walking, endurance, exercise, conditioning - Crew Strength Training
Students will train to develop upper and lower body strength in their muscles and bones by performing body-weight squats and pushups.
Keywords: body weight squats, push-ups, upper body strength, lower body strength, strength training - Do a Spacewalk!
Students will train to increase muscular strength and improve upper and lower body coordination by performing the "bear crawl" and the "crab walk."
Keywords: bear crawl, crab walk, coordination, muscular strength - Jump for the Moon
Students will train to increase bone strength and to improve heart and other muscle endurance by performing jump training with a rope, both while stationary and moving.
Keywords: bear crawl, crab walk, coordination, muscular strength - Mission: Control!
Students will train to improve balance and spatial awareness by performing throwing and catching techniques on one foot.
Keywords: throwing and catching on one foot, balance, spatial awareness
National Standards:
National Science Education Standards, NSTA
Science as Inquiry
• Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world.
Life Science Standards
• Characteristics of organisms.
• Organisms and environments.
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
• Personal health.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, NCTM
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
• Generate and analyze patterns.
• Analyze patterns and relationships.
Measurement and Data
• Represent and interpret data.
Statistics and Probability
• Develop understanding of statistical variability.
• Summarize and describe distributions.
National Physical Education Standards
Standard 1: Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
Standard 2: Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.
Standard 3: Participates regularly in physical activity.
Standard 4: Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.
Standard 5: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.
Standard 6: Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction.
National Health Education Standards, Second Edition (2006)
Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
• 1.5.1 Describe the relationship between healthy behaviors and personal health.
Standard 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
• 4.5.1. Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills to enhance health.
Standard 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
• 5.5.4 Predict the potential outcomes of each option when making a health-related decision.
• 5.5.6 Describe the outcomes of a health-related decision.
Standard 6: Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health. • 6.5.1 Set a personal health goal and track progress toward its achievement.
Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.
• 7.5.2 Demonstrate a variety of healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve personal health.
Science as Inquiry
• Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world.
Life Science Standards
• Characteristics of organisms.
• Organisms and environments.
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
• Personal health.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, NCTM
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
• Generate and analyze patterns.
• Analyze patterns and relationships.
Measurement and Data
• Represent and interpret data.
Statistics and Probability
• Develop understanding of statistical variability.
• Summarize and describe distributions.
National Physical Education Standards
Standard 1: Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
Standard 2: Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.
Standard 3: Participates regularly in physical activity.
Standard 4: Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.
Standard 5: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.
Standard 6: Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction.
National Health Education Standards, Second Edition (2006)
Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
• 1.5.1 Describe the relationship between healthy behaviors and personal health.
Standard 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
• 4.5.1. Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills to enhance health.
Standard 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
• 5.5.4 Predict the potential outcomes of each option when making a health-related decision.
• 5.5.6 Describe the outcomes of a health-related decision.
Standard 6: Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health. • 6.5.1 Set a personal health goal and track progress toward its achievement.
Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.
• 7.5.2 Demonstrate a variety of healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve personal health.