In this flex class, students will learn how to safely research an object in space of their choosing, create a presentation to share their findings, and get support along the way.

Please note: Students must be able to read and write to be able to participate in this class.  Parents are encouraged to help younger students who are still learning to read and write if they would like to participate in this class.  Students are welcome to take the class as many times as they want as long as they choose a different object in space to research each time.

In the first week of class, students will learn how to find information for their presentation.  The teacher will talk about what kind of information to look for, possible safe sources such as books, magazines, and websites, and review the importance of asking a guardian before using the internet to research their object in space.  Students will learn how to take notes from the information they find.  Students will begin thinking about what object in space they would like to research and work on finding resources and taking notes throughout the week.  In the chat, students will share their chosen object in space, explain why they chose it, what preliminary information they know, what questions they have that they will research, and any brainstorming ideas they have thus far.  This can be shared as a video or written comment.  Classmates will then comment on each other's posts to help brainstorm ideas, share resources they have found to be helpful, or questions they would like answered about their classmate's object in space.  The teacher will also participate in this discussion.
Optional: Students can write a fictional story, song, or poem for their own object in space or that of another student, or create a clay, play dough, or other type of model of their own or their classmate's chosen object in space and then share it in the classroom!

In the second week of class, learners should begin taking notes for their object in space now that they have selected resources, organizing their notes as they go.  Questions and updates throughout the week will take place in the classroom as students share interesting information they are considering including in their presentation or any struggles they are having with the project.  Classmates will comment on each other's posts to continue brainstorming ideas and fleshing out the information they are gathering.
Optional: Students can write a fictional story, song, or poem for their own object in space or that of another student, or create a clay, play dough, or other type of model of their own or their classmate's chosen object in space and then share it in the classroom!

In the third week of class, an example project will be shown by the teacher.  Students will learn how to take the information they gathered and put it onto a poster board, large paper, or cardboard box display.  Students can discuss ideas from this example, share their own ideas, ask questions, and share where they are at with their research so far.  Learners will still have time to gather information this week, as well, but this will give them a chance to ask questions, learn how to set up their presentation, and work on finalizing their project with support available through the comments in the classroom.  Students can comment on each other's progress reports with ideas of how to put together their research findings, decorate their poster boards, make models, or other ideas they have come up with that they would like to share.  Learners will receive pointers to help them prepare for sharing their presentations the following week.  Learners will finish their projects throughout the week and practice presenting their findings to family and friends to be ready to share in class.
Optional: Students can write a fictional story, song, or poem for their own object in space or that of another student, or create a clay, play dough, or other type of model of their own or their classmate's chosen object in space and then share it in the classroom!

In the fourth week of class, students will share their presentations as a video presentation or a written report.  This is the culmination of all the work they have completed throughout the past three weeks, and the students get to become the teachers!  Once a presentation has been shared, classmates will comment with questions, the most interesting thing they learned from that presentation, and encouragement for the speaker.  Many questions may lead to more research, and the speaker can look for answers if they do not already know.
Optional: Students can write a fictional story, song, or poem for their own object in space or that of another student, or create a clay, play dough, or other type of model of their own or their classmate's chosen object in space and then share it in the classroom!