Author: Kate Haggerty  Date Created: 2/16/2006 12:01:00 PM PDT   Planets VITAL INFORMATION Subject(s): Science Topic or Unit of Study: The Earth and Beyond Grade/Level: 3 Objective: Obtain an understanding of names, sizes and specific characteristics of the different planets Summary: Students will be given a worksheet summarizing the different planets. After a brief discussion, students will use an interactive website to explore these different planets. Then students will use Microsoft Word to create these planets. IMPLEMENTATION Learning Context: After discussing the earth and it's countries and oceans, we moved on to the universe. We discussed stars, constellations and the relationship between the sun and the earth. Next is this lesson, which will explore the planets. Procedure: Teacher: Provide a worksheet with photos of the planets, their names, their proportional sizes and some characteristics. Also provide access to computers with Microsoft Word. Hand out worksheet to students. Lead a quick discussion over the names, sizes and order of the planets. Begin with the website, explain how the students can explore the nine planets and play games relating to these. Allow them to continue for 15 minutes. Later, explain to students the word assignment, how to use Word's tool bar in this assignment and guidelines for the activity. As the students work, walk around, guiding them in their work and giving feed back. Before the class is over, explain how the students can print their work. Students: Receive worksheet. Listen and participate in the discussion, learn about the planets. Explore the planets website, learning more about each planet and playing interactive games. Next, follow along as the teacher shows how to use the Word's tool bar. Begin the activity. First, using the circle shape, make the planets. Make their sizes proportional to each other. Use realistic colors and add any apparent characteristics to the planets. After the teachers direction, print work. While this is a individual assignment, discussion and idea sharing is encouraged between the students. Differentiated Instruction: This lesson is achievable for all students. For the ELL students, it may be a good idea to have a pre-made example to show the final goal. It also would be helpful to use a smart board in order to walk them through, step by step, exactly what needs to be done. This way they can see the steps and not just hear them. This will help the special education students as well. It also would help to place the auto- shape tool bar on the top tool bar. This will make it more accessable and simple for the students. Sample Student Products: Attachments:  1.  Planets Collaboration: Students will work collaboratively & individually. Students will work in groups of 1. Time Allotment: 1 class period. 50 Min. per class. Author's Comments & Reflections:   MATERIALS AND RESOURCES Instructional Materials: website - http://kids.f9.net.uk/flash/planets/about_planets.html Attachments:  1.  worksheet Resources: The number of computers required is 1 per student. Technology resources: Word, Internet Explorer STANDARDS & ASSESSMENT Standards: AZ- Arizona Academics Standards • Subject : Science • Subject/ Grade/ Domain : GRADE 3 • Strand : Strand 6: Earth and Space Science • Concept : Concept 2: Objects in the Sky Identify objects in the sky.  Performance Objective : No performance objectives at this grade level • Subject : Science (previous) • Standard 1: Science As Inquiry. Students understand and use the processes of scientific investigation and scientific ways of knowing. They are able to design, conduct, describe and evaluate these investigations. They are able to understand and apply concepts that unify scientific disciplines. • Grade Range : FOUNDATIONS (Grades 1-3) Students know and are able to do all of the above and the following: • Key Idea/Concept 1SC-F2: Construct models (e.g., a volcano, a paper airplane, a solar system) that illustrate simple concepts and compare those models to what they represent  Performance Objective PO 1: Construct physical models (e.g., a volcano, a paper airplane, a solar system) illustrating simple concepts • Standard 6: Earth And Space Science. Students understand the composition, formative processes, and history of the earth, the solar system and the universe. • Grade Range : FOUNDATIONS (Grades 1-3) • Key Idea/Concept 6SC-F2: Identify the planets and their relationship to the sun  Performance Objective PO 1: Identify the planets of the solar system  Performance Objective PO 2: Describe the relationship of the planets to the sun • Subject : Technology • Standard 1: Fundamental Operations and Concepts. Students understand the operations and function of technology systems and are proficient in the use of technology. • Grade Range : FOUNDATIONS (Grades 1-3) • Key Idea/Concept 1T-F3: Use developmentally appropriate technology resources to access information and communicate electronically • Performance Objective PO 1: Operate keyboard and other common input and output devices (including adaptive devices for special needs when necessary) Detail: a) Use device in response to software (e.g., point and click, arrow and enter/return keys)  Performance Objective PO 3: Print documents, text or image Assessment/Rubrics: Collect the student's work, viewing how well they understood the assignment and whether or not they were able to comprehend the difference between the planets. Include the planets in the final assessment of the unit.