A TRIP OUT OF THIS WORLDROBYN BOLTON

EDU 204INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

IN TEACHINGNSC

DR. GRAZIANOSEPTEMBER 14th 2011

GRADE 6

Introduction

Attention all astronauts! You have been chosen to go into outer space for a

special mission.Your job is to find out what is out in our

solar system. We need to gather as much information about the planets and the sun as possible for further

research.

TASK

You will be gathering information about all of the planets and the sun based off of questions I give you.

You will record all of your findings in a group notebook to use as your reference later on.

After you have gathered all of your information your group will make a miniature version (replica) of our solar system

You will present it to the class and it will be displayed in the classroom to show what you have learned.

1. First, get in groups of 3-4 (depending on class size)

2. Second, you will give each person an assignment to do:

Leader: Responsible for exploring websites given by me to gather information.

Recorder: Writes down all of the information that the leader finds.

Artist: Will be in charge of how the replica will be designed.

*Note- All group members can help one another, but each person is responsible for their individual assignment.

Process

3. Third, You will begin your search on the internet finding out:

How big is the sun? You will find out how big each planet is.( Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,Neptune, and Earth). What is the planet made out of? You will find out how far away each planet is

from the sun and the planet in front of it. (For example. How far away Earth is from Venus)

Then you will give one fact about each planet. ( For example. How many rings Jupiter has).

Process Cont.

*These are some of the websites you can use. It does not matter which ones you use or which order you choose to view the websites. NO WIKIPEDIA!!!

o http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/gallery-solar-system/en/

o http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/index.cfm

o http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/psgk3ex.htm

o http://www.neok12.com/Solar-System.htm

-you may watch any video on this website.

Process Cont.

As you go along your recorder will write down

all of the information that the leader finds.

4. After you have found all of your information the artist will decide what kind of model you want to make.

Here is a website to see some models to choose from:

http://www.classroomjr.com/solar-system-projects-for-kids/

Process Cont.

Your model must include: The sun, and all eight planets.Accurate colors of the planets ( for

instance, the Earth is made up of water and land so it would be blue and green).

A description of the planets i.e. the size, how far away it is from the sun, etc. (Refer to the notes the recorder took).

*Be creative!

Process Cont.

5. Lastly, your group will be presenting your findings to the class and your model will be displayed for everyone to see.

In your presentation your group will go over: How far away each planet is from the sun. One fact about each planet. How big the planet is. and What the planet is made out of.

*All ELL and students with learning disabilities have these two websites to go to for visuals.Students will be given extra time if needed if I see that they do not understand. Unfortunately there are no

sites specifically designed for ELLs and students with learning

disabilities for this activity so I will be there for any extra help.

http://www.neok12.com/Solar-System.htmhttp://www.classroomjr.com/solar-system-projects-for-kids/

Process Cont.

EVALUATIONPoints Exceptional 5pts. Satisfactory 4-3pts Unsatisfactory

2-0pts

Model The model is accurate in how the planet looks. It

has all of the information required and is creative

The model is somewhat accurate, but does not have

all of the information and lacks creativity

The model is not accurate and

does not have all of the

information and isn’t creative

Presentation All of the group members participated in presenting

and talked well.

Not all group members

participate. Little talking done.

Group members did not

participate and presented

poorly.

Participation All of the group members did their roles in the group

as well as helped each other out in organizing the

model.

Some of the group members did their

roles and some helped out.

Some of the group members

did their role. Little interaction with each other.

After completing this activity you will have

learned about our solar system and all of the

different characteristic of our planet and the

sun. You will have also learned to work in a

group setting. You are welcome to look at your

models once this project is over if you need

refreshing on the solar system.

Conclusion