teacherpage

The Solar System Wiki Science Project

Objective: Students will use Web 2.0 technology to complete a group project on one of the planets in the solar system. Criteria for the project can be found on the student page. studentpage

 What you need:
 * Students must have knowledge of and experience with wiki/podcasts/widgets.
 * KWL charts for each student [|KWL]
 * A copy of the book, __Postcards From Pluto__ by Loreen Leedy
 * chart paper, pencils, markers

Lesson Time: approx. 45min.  __ Introducing the Solar System __  Explain to students they will be learning about the solar system and they will be working with other students to complete a group assignment on an assigned planet.

//What do they already know?//
 * Hand out KWL Charts to students.
 * Think-Pair- Share - With a partner students will brainstorm what they already know about the solar system and record their answers on their KWL charts. (Allow 5-10 min.)
 * Bring the class together and allow students to share what they have written on their papers. Chart student responses on chart paper. (10 min.)
 * Ask students what they would like to find out about the solar system. Record their questions on another piece of chart paper. (10 min.) //Post the questions and have students answer them upon completion of their projects.//

__Introducing the Planets __ <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">Read aloud: __Postcards from Pluto__ by Loreen Leedy

__<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">Introducing the Project __
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">Explain to students they will be doing group projects about one of planets in the solar system.
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">Form groups of 3-4 students and assign them a planet for research. Direct students to the student page. studentpage
 * <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">Review with students the criteria for their projects. <span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">Direct students to the student rubric. student rubric

Massachusetts State Standards: Science: Earth and Space Science Grades 3 -5 Learning Standard #13 - Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the "solar system" that includes the sun, planents, and many moons. The earth is the third planet from the sun in our solar system. Learning Standard #14 - Recognize that the earth revolves around the sun in a year's time and that the earth rotates on its axis once approximately every 234 hours. Make connections between the rotation of the earth and day/night, and the apparent movement of the sun, moon, and stars across the sky. English Language Arts Grades 4 Learning Standard # 7 Students will understand the nature of written English and the relationship of letters and spelling patterns to the sounds of speech Learning Standard # 8 Students will identify the basic facts and main ideas in a text and use them as the basis for interpretation. Learning Standard # 13 Students will identify, analyze, and apply knowledge of the purpose, structure, and elements of nonfiction or informational materials and provide evidence from the text to support their understanding Learning Standard #19 Students will write with a clear focus, coherent organization, and sufficient details