Solar+System+Lesson+Plan

=Solar System Lesson Unit=

Analyze learners
This science unit will be for 5th graders. The Sunshine State Standards covered in this lesson include: SC.5.E.5.3 which states: " Distinguish among the following objects of the Solar System -- Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets -- and identify Earth's position in it. " SC.5.E.5.2 "Recognize the major common characteristics of all and compare/contrast the properties of inner and outer . " SC.5.E.5.1 "Recognize that a galaxy consists of gas, dust, and many stars, including any objects orbiting the stars. Identify our home galaxy as the Milky Way." LA.5.6.2.3 "The student will write an informational report that includes a focused topic, appropriate facts, relevant details, a logical sequence, and a concluding statement."

Learning objectives:
Comprehension and Synthesis: Using computers with the program powerpoint, students will discuss major differences in the planets in our solar system and generate a quiz to present to the class based on their assigned planets. Analysis: Using an online quiz, students will categorize celestial objects. Application: Using materials presented in class, students will construct their assigned planets using paper mache. Knowledge: After watching a video about the solar system, students will complete a worksheet in which they outline the information given in the video.

Materials:
Videos- Students will watch videos about the solar system. Computers- Students will be placed into groups, together they will research an assigned planet. They will be given computer time to complete this research. They will also complete online quizzes as a group to reenforce information learned in video material. Powerpoint-Students will take the information they found and create a powerpoint outlining their findings about the difference between their assigned planets and the other planets in our solar system. Water, Flour, Newspaper, and paint- Students will be given the opportunity to construct a paper mache model of their assigned planet. Projector- used to project videos and projects for presentations.

Student activities:

 * Monday-** Videos will be presented to students. Exploring Our Backyard, the Solar System part 1/2, Exploring Our Backyard, the Solar System part 2/2, Solar System 101. Students will then complete a reflection of the video, they should include information about the planets, the differences between them, and details they find interesting about the solar system.


 * Tuesday**- Student will be placed into eight groups. Each group will draw a piece of paper out of a hat that has a planet on it. The group is assigned to that planet. Students will be asked to do research about their assigned planet and create a word document describing all the unique characteristics of their planet. Students will be asked to identify: size, distance from the sun, length of years, surface areas, atmosphere, climate, temperate and anything else they find unique to their planet.


 * Wednesday**- Students will be asked to complete a powerpoint presentation about their assigned planets, with their group. Students will also be asked to create a small quiz at the end of their powerpoint. The quiz should only be a few questions and they will ask the audience questions about the planet they just presented. The quizzes will presented in class after the powerpoint presentations.


 * Thursday**- Students will be given time to finish their projects today. After each group is finished with their presentations, they will begin their paper mache projects of their assigned planets. I will mix the water and flour together to make the paste and each student will get a turn to dip paper in and stick it to the balloon. The balloons will be left to dry over night.


 * Friday**- Each group will be given the opportunity to paint their planets. While the planets dry, each group will be given time to present the information they found about each of their planets. The quizzes will also be presented after each project. The class will answer the questions to the quizzes together. After the paint on the paper mache planets dry, students can also present these to the class.

How assignment will be graded:
Reflection of video: 10 points Research/ online quizes completed: 10 points Powerpoint presentation(followed specific guidelines): 10 points Powerpoint quiz created: 10 points Presentation of powerpoints, quizzes, and paper mache planets: 10 points Total points: 50 points