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FOR
WHOM IS THIS UNIT DESIGNED? GRADE LEVELS
IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT is for grades 6-12 and can be used in any physical
science class that includes the introduction of light and the electromagnetic
spectrum. These topics may arise in a Physical Science curriculum, Astronomy,
Earth and Space Science, Physics and Chemistry. While these lessons can
be used in a wide range of grade levels, you may need to make some modifications.
For example, in Lesson 3 – Exploring Spectra the activity Analysis
of Stars may be more appropriate for grades 10 –12 and courses
such as Chemistry and Physics. This one activity can be omitted or conducted
as an in-class activity with teacher support in grades eight or nine.
Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 may be more appropriate for grades 6-8, however,
older students would benefit from beginning with these lessons if they
have little experience with these topics.
The unit is designed to develop inquiry skills. It begins with much
structure in the inquiry process and gradually places more control
of inquiry with your students. The final lesson requires your students
to develop a question and design and conduct the inquiry. You may
wish to modify early lessons to be less structured. However, remember
that all students need some degree of support and guidance in the
inquiry process. If your students are struggling with independent
inquiry, you may wish to provide more structure in the final lessons.
However, remember that students will never learn to pose and answer
questions independently if they are not asked to do so. It is better
to provide the challenge and then provide coaching as needed.
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