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 Introduction
The students will use the
internet to research basic facts on the sun, our solar system and
the orbits of the planets. This unit concludes when the students
create a water color of their selected planet and a narrative report on
each of the nine planets.
Subject: Science
Topic: Solar System
Grade Level: 5
Student
Pages
Standards
Addressed
Fifth Grade
Science: Earth Science
(5) 1. The solar system consists
of planets and other bodies that orbit the sun inpredictable paths.
As a basis for understanding
this concept, the students know:
a) the sun, and average
star is the central and largest body in the solar system and is composed
primarily of hydrogen and helium.
b) the solar system includes
the earth, moon, sun, eight other planets and their satellites, and smaller
objects such as asteroids and comets.
c) the path of a planet around
the sun is due to the gravitational attraction between the sun and the
planet.
Instructional Objectives
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Students will learn about each
planet.
-
Students will be able to demonstrate
knowledge of gravitational attraction between the sun and planets and how
it influences the path of the planet.
-
Students will be able to describe
the solar system, naming the planets, natural satellites, and the sun.
-
Students will understand the differences
between the sun, planets and natural satellites.
-
Students will write a narrative
on each planet based on facts collected.
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Students will create a watercolor
poster showing the characteristics of one planet.
-
-
Student
Activities
Introductory
Activity
Discuss the relationship
between a galaxy and our solar system. The purpose of this introduction
is to begin with the vastness of the galaxy in order to put perspective
on the size of the sun and planets.
-
Set up Portfolio Folders
(one for each student)
-
Use overheads of galaxy,
solar system, sun, planets (source Microsoft Encarta). Discuss: The sun
is not solid like the earth but is comprised of gasses. The sun contains
99% of all the matter in the solar system. (If you put everything in a
bowl the sun would take up 99% of the whole).
-
Discuss the types of
stars: White and Blue stars (very hot), Yellow Stars (our sun is yellow
star, average in temperature), Red and Orange stars are the cooler stars.
-
Discuss Suns Energy:
Produced by nuclear fusion. In the center of the sun four hydrogen atoms
fuse to make a helium atom. The fusion creates heat and light.
Types of the suns
energy: x-ray radiation, ultraviolet radiation, heat energy, light
energy, radio waves.
Enabling
Activity(ies)
Research and discuss
to find the differences between the planets using the information in the
spreadsheet as a guide. The distance from the sun is important to
revolution time as well as temperature. There are also different
types of planets. What are natural satellites and how do they relate to
the planets or the sun?
Culminating
Activity
Select a planet
Splatter black paper wtih
white paint
Cut circle from white paper
watercolors paint the planet
of your choice
Label paper with name of planet
and your name
Assessment
Sample portfolio
Student Name ____________________________
Portfolio Check List
? Title Page
? Table of Contents
? Mercury
? Venus
? Follow the pattern
for each planet
Spell check!
Student Signature
____________________________
Total Points Awarded
____________
Your Grade
_____________
Grading your portfolio
Title Page = 5 points
Table of Contents
= 5 points
Each Narrative =
5 points
Each Picture = 5
points
Missing information,
neatness and spelling will be counted in the categories of narrative and
picture.
Results
After implementing
your lesson (sometime between January & March), insert a chart of your
pre-test, post-test, and culminating assessment data.
Back
to Top
Web
Resources & Supplementary Materials
Introductory Activity
http://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/
http://sse.jpl.nasa.gov/features/planets/planetsfeat.html
Enabling Activity
http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/
Planet
Fact Sheet
Culminating Activity
Portfolio
Checklist
Anderson
Heights School
1530 Spruce
Street
Anderson,
California 96007
Kelli Johnson
Kjohnson@shastalink.k12.ca.us
Last Revised:
01/8/2001 |
