One of the main objectives of the First Great Lesson for lower elementary is learning the names of the planets and vocabulary for different celestial bodies. In upper elementary, the students go more in-depth in understanding our universe, and one of those ways is investigating the life cycle of a star. Even though a star is not "alive," they exist for billions of years and go through its metamorphosis dictated by its mass. In this impressionistic game, the students will learn the life cycle of a star. In addition, they will better understand the relative mass of stars throughout their life stages.

Materials: 

·      An ample open space (such as a gym or field)

·      Dodgeballs or some type of easy throwing softball

·      Big cards or illustrations of the various stages of a star’s life cycle

·      Portable Soccer Goals  

o   Hula hoops with holders can be an acceptable replacement

§  The soccer goals are better for showing that a ball scored however

·      Timer, scoreboard if possible

·      Cones or rubber disc dots

Minimum Number of Students Needed: This game could be played with as little as four or six (2V2 or 3V3), but I have successfully played this game with a class size of fifty.

Age: All Ages