THEME/TOPIC: “Postcards from the Planets”

GRADE: Third

CONTENT OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will become familiar with the characteristics of the

planets in our solar system. Students will be able to list the names and order of the eight

planets in relation to the sun. Students will be able to research an individual planet in small

groups and compare and contrast it to Earth, citing at least five facts about their planet.

Students will present their research findings to the class and record planetary facts presented by their peers.

LANGUAGE OBJECTIVES: Students will use English to obtain, process, construct, and

provide subject matter in spoken and written form. Students will be able to say and write the names of the eight

planets in proper order from the sun. Students will extend oral language by participating in

cooperative learning groups. The students will be able to describe their planet in sentences

using key vocabulary words and writing in postcard form.

TARGETED CONTENT AREAS: Science Mathematics English Language Arts & Reading Technology Applications Art

TEKS: §112.14. Science

8. (D) The student is expected to identify the planets in Earth's solar system and their position in relation to the Sun.§111.15. Mathematics

3.15 (A) The student is expected to explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

§110.14. English Language Arts and Reading

20. (B) The student is expected to write letters whose language is tailored to the audience and purpose and that use appropriate conventions (e.g., date, salutation, closing).

26. (A) The student is expected to follow the research plan to collect information from multiple sources of information, both oral and written, including: (i) student-initiated surveys, on-site inspections, and interviews (ii) data from experts, reference texts, and online searches; and (iii) visual sources of information (e.g., maps, timelines, graphs) where appropriate §126.7. Technology Applications

3. (B) The student is expected to collect and organize information from a variety of formats, including text, audio, video, and graphics.

§117.11. Art

2. (A) The student is expected to create artworks based on personal observations and experiences.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY STANDARDS (ELPS):

§74.4. English Language Proficiency Standards

3. (E) The student is expected to share information in cooperative learning interactions. (G) The student is expected to demonstrate comprehension of increasingly complex English by participating in shared reading, retelling or summarizing material, responding to questions, and taking notes commensurate with content area and grade level needs. 5. (B) The student is expected to write using newly acquired basic vocabulary and content-based grade level vocabulary.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS/RESOURCES: Book: Postcards from Pluto by Loreen Leedy Variety of Planet/Solar System books (in English & Spanish)

Solar System Posters (in English & Spanish) Chart paper (for K-W-L) Planet Fact Cards Pencils/Crayons/Markers Real postcards to show as an example Postcard Printout Worksheet “Data Collection” worksheets Comparing my planet worksheet Our Solar System Final Assessment Computer and Internet Resources listed below:

1. http://educa-ciencia.com/sistema-solar-infantil.htm 2. http://legacy.spitzer.caltech.edu/espanol//edu/askkids/

index.shtml (Ask an astronomer – in Spanish)3. http://www.cyberkidzjuegos.com/cyberkidz/juego.php?

spelUrl=library/wetenschap/groep6/wetenschap1/&spelNaam=Sistema%20solar&groep=6&vak=wetenschap (game in Spanish)

4. http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/ (site in Spanish and English)5. http://kids.nineplanets.org/title.htm

KEY VOCABULARY: (Pre-Teach) Solar System, Planet, Dwarf Planet, Orbit, Gravity, Order, Outer Space, Rotation, Revolve, NASA, Postcard, Galaxy

INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN:

(ANTICIPATORY SET/MOTIVATION) Using chart paper, make a class K-W-L chart. Begin by asking students what they KNOW about outer space, planets, the sun & moon, etc. Write down student responses under the “K” on the chart. Next, ask student what they WANT to learn about the Solar System and planets and write down student responses under the “W” on the chart.

(TEACHER FACILITATION/GUIDED PRACTICE)1. Begin by showing students the map of the solar system in English and

in Spanish. Count and name the planets.

2. Ask students, “Did you know that some of the days of the week in Spanish come from the planets?” For example: Lunes (Monday) from la Luna and Martes (Tuesday) from Marte.

3. Ask students if they have ever looked at the moon and noticed how it changes each night. What else can they see in the sky? (Sun, stars, clouds, etc.) Lead into discussion about planets and the solar system.

4. Read the book Postcards from Pluto to the class. 5. After reading, ask students what they learned about the planets from

the story and record their responses on the K-W-L chart under “L”. 6. In order to memorize the names of the planets in our solar system,

teach students this sentence -beginning each word in the sentence with the beginning letter of a planet - “My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos” and have them record it in their Science journals.

7. Divide students into groups of three and assign each group a planet, the Sun, or the Moon to research. Provide students with the “Data Collection” and “Comparing my Planet” worksheets. Each student in the group will have a different “Data Collection” worksheet with their own unique facts to locate.

8. Remind students that there are various resources in English and in Spanish throughout the classroom that they may utilize in their search for information (visual representations, books, computers with pre-selected websites and software, etc.).

9. Instruct students to find at least five facts about their planet that they would like to share with the class. The “Comparing My Planet” and “Data Collection” worksheets will assist students in knowing what information to look for.

(STUDENT APPLICATION/INDEPENDENT PRACTICE)1. Allow students plenty of time to conduct research – approximately two

hours over two days. 2. When students have completed the research process, instruct them to

design and write a postcard to a selected audience about their planet while incorporating at least five facts.

3. Show students the store-bought blank postcards and ask, “Has anyone ever received a postcard like this in the mail?” Discuss.

4. Students will create a rough draft of their postcard on the provided worksheet and then ask a group member to do a peer review. They will edit, revise, and create the final postcard on the worksheet provided. (Each student in the group will create their own postcard.)

5. On the front of their postcard, students should illustrate an accurate representation of their planet. Show teacher’s example postcard for reference.

(STUDENT PRESENTATIONS)

1. Distribute “Planet Fact Cards” worksheets to each student. As each group presents information and reads their postcards to the class, students should write down the facts they learned about each planet from their peers’ presentations.

2. Begin the presentations with the “Sun group” and continue in the order of the planets (Mercury, Venus . . . etc.) until all groups have presented their information.

3. After all presentations are completed, return to the K-W-L chart and ask students what they have learned about the planets in our solar system this week. Record student responses on the chart under “L”.

(CLOSURE/REVIEW)For a final review of the planets in our solar system, students will watch a short video; “My Fantastic Field Trip to the Planets”.

ASSESSMENT: Students will turn-in all work completed throughout the week for

evaluation. Students’ work will be assessed using the attached “Evaluation

Rubric”. Items to be assessed include: “Data Collection” and “Comparing My Planet” worksheets, draft postcard, final postcard, oral presentation, and “Planet Fact Cards”.

Students will take the “Our Solar System Final Assessment”.

EXTENSION/DIFFERENTIATION: (Resource Students)

Provide additional resources, more examples, and assistance as needed.(ELL Students)

Simplify instructions, utilize Spanish resource materials, and allow these students to write their postcard in their L1 or L2 – their choice.

(G/T Students)These students should also complete the Solar System Word Search Worksheet.

Student: _______________

__________________________

Beginning to meet (1 - 3)

Meeting  (4 - 6)

Exceeding  (7 - 10)

Marks

Data Collection &Comparing My Planet

-few answers provided-most answers incorrect

-most answers provided-five facts given-organized & legible

-all answers provided - > five facts given _____/10

Worksheets -messy; not legible-neat, free from errors

Draft Post Card

-uses some writing conventions (capitals, punctuation, spelling, paragraphs) -Data Collection worksheet rarely used

-uses writing conventions (capitals, punctuation, spelling, paragraphs) most of the time -refers to Data Collection worksheet

-correct use of writing conventions (capitals, punctuation, spelling, paragraphs)  -reflects full use of Data Collection & Comparing Planet worksheets

_____/10

Post Card

-some errors corrected -grasp of task incomplete

-most errors corrected -reflects task outcomes

-all errors corrected -items reflect full range of task

_____/10

Oral Presentation

-difficult to hear-not fluent -has no eye contact with audience -shows little organization

-good use of voice -good fluency -attempts eye contact with audience -shows practice & organization

-good use of voice -good expression & fluency -good eye contact with audience -rehearsed & very well organized

_____/10

Planet Fact Cards

-was not attentive during peers’ presentations-had one or fewer facts for each planet

-attentive during peers’ presentations-has a minimum of 3 facts for each planet

-attentive during peers’ presentations-has more than three facts for each planet

_____/10

Total _____/50

DATA COLLECTION SHEET 1

Astronaut Name: __________________________________________________

Planet destination: _________________________________________________

Who or what is your planet named after (namesake)? Does your planet have a nickname?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________How far is your planet from the sun (distance in kilometers)? How big is your planet (in diameter)?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

List some interesting facts about your planet:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

DATA COLLECTION SHEET 2

Astronaut Name: ___________________________________________________

Planet Destination: __________________________________________________

How many moons does your planet have and what are their names?__________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

How long is one year on your planet in comparison to Earth yearsof revolution)? One day on your planet is equal to how many hours/days on Earth (period of rotation)?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

List some interesting facts about your planet. (What are its specialfeatures? Does it have volcanoes, craters, rings, valleys, etc..?)

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

DATA COLLECTION SHEET 3

Astronaut Name: ___________________________________________________

Planet Destination: __________________________________________________

What is your planet made of (composition)?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

What is the air like on your planet (gases in the atmosphere)? Whatweather like on your planet? What is the temperature  during the day andat night?)

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________List some interesting facts about your planet. (What are its specialfeatures? Does it have volcanoes, craters, rings, valleys, etc..?)

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

COMPARING MY PLANET

EarthMy PlanetName: ____________________

Order from the Sun

3 Order from the Sun

Diameter- Length across

7,926 miles Diameter- Length across

Length of day 24 hours Length of day

Length of year 365 days Length of year

Number of moons

1 Number of moons

Average Temperature

59 Degrees Fahrenheit

Average Temperature

Type: Terrestrial or Gas

Terrestrial Type: Terrestrial or Gas

Classification: Inner or Outer

Inner Planet Classification: Inner or Outer

Other possible notable features Other possible notable features

Rings No Rings

Tilt ~23 1/3 degrees Tilt

Rotation Counterclockwise Rotation

Color Blue Color

Other: Spots/ Storms/ Volcanoes/ Valleys/ Atmosphere/ Etc

Definite surface with volcanoes, valleys. Has an atmosphere with weather/ storms.

Other: Spots/ Storms/ Volcanoes/ Valleys/ Atmosphere/ Etc

Calculating Your Weight on Other Planets

Your weight on the moon is 16.5% of what it is on earth.For example: if you weigh 100 pounds on earth, you would weigh 16.5 pounds on the moon.

List your weight in pounds: ____________________________

Multiply your weight by 16.5 % ______________________That is your weight on the moon!

Calculate your weight on other planets.

Mercury: your weight x 0.738 _________________________________________

Venus: your weight x 0.907 _________________________________________

Mars: your weight x 0.377 _________________________________________

Jupiter: your weight x 2.36 _________________________________________

Saturn: your weight x 0.916 _________________________________________

Uranus: your weight x 0.889 _________________________________________

Neptune: your weight x 1.12 _________________________________________