Our Solar System

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Our Solar System

• By Sara Whitefield

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Solar System

• Science
• 2nd-3rd grade

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Solar System

• Essential Questions
• Are you scared of what you dont know?
• Does exploring help us make our lives better?

• Unit Questions
• How many planets are in our solar system and can
  you name them?
• What is the difference between the sun and the
  moon?

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Main Objectives

• The student will be able to name the 9 planets in
  order on a test with 90 accuracy.
• The student will be able to distinguish between
  orbit and rotation and demonstrate in class
  activity.
• The student will be able to make a mobile of the
  solar system and present it to the class.

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Unit Summary

• The class will learn about the solar system in
  which we live and the elements of science that it
  represents such as orbit, rotation, years, days,
  seasons, why we live on Earth not Mars, etc.
  They will use this knowledge to make a mobile of
  the solar system to present to the class as well
  as create their own planet to describe in a
  PowerPoint presentation to others. As a class
  activity they will make a moving model of the
  solar system by being the planets themselves in
  orbit around the sun in the classroom.

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Summary contd

• They will be encouraged to bring any pictures of
  space that are interesting to show and tell as
  well as find news articles from the newspaper,
  magazines, etc. about space with a short
  description of it and its importance for extra
  credit. If time allows at the end of the unit
  the students may create an alien as well and if
  the art teacher will agree make the alien in art
  class.

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Time table

• Key elements of science will be introduced with
  an introduction to the solar system. A class
  activity will demonstrate orbit and rotation
  during this time. Each day will be a different
  planet. The students will present their mobile
  of the solar system to the class as well as their
  PowerPoint presentation with their new planet.

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Prerequisite Skills

• The students must be able to use basic art skills
  to make their mobile.
• The students must know how to use PowerPoint on a
  basic level to make a presentation for their
  planet they create.

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Student Activities

• Make a moving model of the solar system in class.
• Make a solar system mobile.
• Create a new planet and present it to the class
  in a powerpoint.

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Extra Credit

• Students may bring in pictures of outer space
  that they find interesting.
• They may also bring in any newspaper or magazine
  articles about space that they think are
  interesting and apply to our unit.

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Materials and Resources

• Computer to present material in a PowerPoint.
• Papers to hand out to class.
• Research on planets.
• Pictures of each planet.
• For activities and ideas
• http//www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/fea
  tures/index.html
• http//www.space-explorers.com/internal/events/wee
  kly/trivia8.html

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Differentiated Instruction

• When presenting material there will be a
  PowerPoint with words and pictures as well as
  verbal instruction.
• There is the class activity of making a moving
  solar system in the classroom for the hands on
  learners.

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TEKS

• 112.5. Science, Grade 3.
• (b) Knowledge and skills.
• (11) Science concepts. The student knows that
  the natural world includes earth materials and
  objects in the sky. The student is expected to
• (C) identify the planets in our solar
  system and their position in relation to
  the Sun and
• (D) describe the characteristics of the Sun.

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TEKS contd

• 117.11. Art, Grade 3.
• (b) Knowledge and skills.
• (2) Creative expression/performance. The
  student expresses ideas through original
  artworks, using a variety of media with
  appropriate skill. The student is expected to
• (A) create artworks based on personal
  observations and experiences
• (B) develop a variety of effective
  compositions, using design skills and
• (C) produce drawings, paintings, prints,
  constructions, ceramics, and fiberart, using
  a variety of art materials appropriately.

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ISTE

• 5. Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia
  authoring, presentation, Web tools, digital
  cameras, scanners) for individual and
  collaborative writing, communication, and
  publishing activities to create knowledge
  products for audiences inside and outside the
  classroom. (3,4)