Science Education Standards: Mathematics, Technology, Language Arts

Short Description: Students associate a countdown with a rocket launch and practice counting from 10 to 1.

Objective

Students associate a countdown with a rocket launch and practice counting from 10 to 1.

Educator Information

• Make 11 copies of the large rocket. Copy rockets on index-weight paper if available.
• On each large rocket, write one numeral from 10 to 1. On one rocket, write the word, liftoff. Color. Laminate rockets for future use.
• Copy the page with the small rocket drawing. Each student will need 11 small rockets. Use these rockets for student independent practice. The educator may write numerals from 10 to 1 and the word, liftoff, on the rockets before copying. If appropriate, students can write numerals and words on their individual rockets.
• Review the information on the International Space Station (ISS) and rockets. Be prepared to share information with students.
• Choose a location in the classroom to place the rockets in a countdown sequence.
• This activity requires two class periods.
• Review a countdown sequence from 10 to 1 and repeat selected activities for several days.

Download Figure 6

Materials

• 11 copies of large rocket drawing (Figure 6), colored
• Video of a rocket or shuttle launch with audio of a countdown
• VCR or DVD and television or computer
• Copies of small rocket drawings (Figure 7), 11 rockets per student
• Chart paper
• Markers or crayons
• Scissors
• 2 classroom chairs
• Clothesline
• 11 spring clothespins
• Pocket chart or chalkboard tray
• Strips of paper or sentence strips, 1 per student

Procedure

First Class Period:
1. Remind students that construction of the ISS requires more than 40 rocket launches.
2. Tell students that a rocket launch begins with a countdown. As the rocket prepares to launch, we hear an announcer counting, "...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, liftoff!"
3. Orally demonstrate a countdown sequence for students. If appropriate, have students practice with the educator.
4. Have students view a videotape of a rocket launch or watch a televised rocket launch. If possible, the videotape should have audio of the countdown sequence. If watching a realtime launch on television, record this event. Play the videotape several times.
5. Discuss why it is important to have a countdown. Ideas could include safety and timing issues. Countdowns allow everyone to know when the rocket launches. Write the ideas on chart paper and display in the classroom. Discuss what could happen if there was no countdown for a rocket launch.
6. Review a countdown sequence. Have students practice counting orally from 10 to 1.

Download Figure 7

Second Class Period:
1. Review a countdown sequence before a rocket launch. Demonstrate a countdown sequence orally for students. Practice a countdown together.
2. Introduce the large rockets with numerals and the word, liftoff, written on them.
3. Use a pocket chart or the chalkboard tray to place the rockets in a countdown sequence. Have the class orally practice counting backwards while the educator puts the numerals in the correct order. Place the rocket with the word, liftoff, after the 1. Remember to always model sequencing from left to right.
4. Have students practice placing the rockets in the correct sequence on the chalkboard or in a pocket chart.

Review
1. Have the students practice counting backwards each day until they become comfortable with the activity. Practice a countdown to get ready to go to recess, to prepare to clean up, or as a cue to become quiet. Incorporate a countdown into daily classroom routines.
2. As a class activity, students practice placing the rockets in the correct sequence. Students may independently practice putting the numerals in the correct countdown sequence. Encourage sequencing from left to right.
3. To vary the sequencing activity, tie a length of clothesline between two chairs. Attach eleven spring clothespins. Using the clothespins, have students attach the rockets to the clothesline placing the numerals in the correct countdown sequence. Encourage sequencing from left to right.
3. To vary the sequencing activity, tie a length of clothesline between two chairs. Attach eleven spring clothespins. Using the clothespins, have students attach the rockets to the clothesline placing the numerals in the correct countdown sequence. Monitor sequencing from left to right.
4. After students become comfortable with the correct sequence, put the rockets in scrambled order in a pocket chart, on the chalkboard, or on the clothesline. Select students to put the rockets in the correct order. Students may repeat the activity independently.

Assessment

• Observe students as they independently practice sequencing the rockets with numerals from 10 to 1.
• Evaluate students as they independently practice a countdown sequence orally.