PONSONBY PRIMARY INQUIRY PLANNING TEMPLATE

Its not rocket science, or is it ?

Busting the myths about rockets.
Unit Title:

Big Idea: Understand the science of forces and motion.

Rocket design is all about finding an optimal balance between thrust, Mass and
aerodynamics. Any change to one of these will affect the overall motion of a rocket
Cross Curriculum:
Year Level/student group: Y5 and 6 GEP
Planned by : Barbara Henderson
Why This Inquiry? Recent visit to Stardome.

Proposed Duration of Unit : 4 weeks

Understandings
Prior Knowledge: What do we know?
What do we hope students will
understand by the end of this unit?
What transferable, robust, big ideas
will they gain?
What is important and relevant for
these students?

Question and focus: What do we want to find

out?- Wonderwall of questions about rockets in
space.
The students can group the questions together
(living plants/seeds, evolution and technology)
into related groups.

Research: How will we find out and record our

findings? See I-Time Proposal

Organise and interpret: How will we organise

and show the new knowledge and make
connections?

Sharing: How will we share our findings?

PREZI students to use Prezi presentation to

document thinking and findings.
Lift off!!!!

Reflect on my learning

Key concepts/Questions

Key Resources (reflecting understandings)

Do we know any experts in the area? Can we
draw on expertise within our community?
What internet resources are available?
What materials are available to us? (books, CD
Rom, videos, charts etc.)
What are some of the texts that are likely to be
drawn on in this unit?

End of unit action/performance task

Is there a major task/event/action that
students may undertake towards the end of the
unit that will demonstrate understanding and
allow them to link theory to practice?

Science Expo Day students will

share the learning about pop rockets.
They will complete the construction
of the balloon rocket car and carry
out initial testing.

How will this proposed task need to be prepared

for?

Bring one pump bottle, plastic milk

bottle tops, straws etc.