#4561. Solar System

Science, level: 3-5
Posted Tue May 3 09:00:01 PDT 2011 by Tanoah Kates and Kristi Purvis (Tanoah Kates and Kristi Purvis).
Indiana University East, Centerville, United States
Materials Required: Planets: A new view of the Solar System, tracable circles, paper, markers, glue, scissors

Lesson Plan
Topic: Solar System Grade: 3rd or 4th Content Area: Science
Standard:
4.3 Students continue to investigate changes of the earth and sky and begin to understand the composition and size of the universe.
Objectives:
Students will know the size, names, and order of the planets.
Initiation Activity:
I will begin to talk to the students about planets and ask them if they have ever used a telescope before to see any of the planets or the stars. I will explain to the students how many planets there are and the names of each one. I will draw a diagram on the board of the correct order of the planets including earth.
Procedure:
1. One of us will read the book out loud to all the students.
2. After reading the book to the students, we will discuss each planet in depth and their correct sizes compared to other planets.
3. Then, we will split up the students in groups of three, and have them construct their own diagrams according to the sizes presented, the planets in order and the correct spelling.
4. When students complete these tasks, they will put all their names on the group diagram and then they will bring their diagrams to us and we will hang them in the hall for display.
Materials:
Needed: Book, different sizes of circles to trace the different sizes of planets, different colors of construction paper, markers, glue, and scissors.
Assessment/Evaluation:
We will walk through the class while they are working on their group project and we will be there to answer any questions they may have. We will also give them some advice to point them in the right direction. We will make sure each group is doing what they need to be dong and everyone is contributing.