Unit Topic or Theme: Space Exploration

Grade: 4^th - 5^th

Lesson Topic or Theme: Solar System Projects

Lesson Objectives:

• Students will explore the website and find different facts of what they know, what they learned and what they would like to know while complete their worksheet.
• Students will pick a certain topic pertaining to space, develop a presentation that meets all criteria on the grading rubric and present a clear and concise project to the class.
• Students will work cooperatively together while discovering space facts, filling out their worksheets, and giving their presentations.

Instructional Techniques: Teacher instruction, computer exploration, and group work.

Instructional Materials: space book (preference of teacher), computers, KWL worksheets, and grading rubrics. Materials will also vary depending on what students decided to use for their project.

Theoretical Perspective: Students should have an understanding of the world around them as well as what is outside of the world. They have a right to know what is in our universe and how it works. They deserve to have general knowledge on the subject and those who are interested can learn more about the topic, possibly some day deciding to make a career in this subject.

Procedures:

1. Teacher will begin class by sharing with the class a book about the solar system and all its planets. While reading teacher will ask interactive questions to keep students involved.
2. Teacher will then explain to them that they will be studying the solar system and the students will pick one entity in our solar system to learn more about, create a visual presentation, and present to the class. They will be allowed to work in groups for this project.
3. Next students will go onto the computers, go on to the Marvin the Martian Mission website, and try to get through the web site.
4. While on the site, each student will fill out a worksheet of 3 things they already knew about the solar system, 3 things they learned, and 3 things they have more questions about. On the bottom of this page they will write down their 3 top choices to work on for this project.
5. Once finished with the worksheet, the students will pass it in with the teacher. The teacher will review the sheets and pick what the students will be working on for there project, trying to avoid any duplicates.
6. Students will get back their worksheets, find out what they will be working on, and from there discuss what type of presentation they would like to do (poster, PowerPoint, brochure, scrapbook, video, etc.). The teacher will only be able to allow use to computers, if they want to work with video, they must have their own. Students will also be given grading rubric in which they teacher will use to grade their entire projects.
7. Student will bring in any supplies they might need to work when allotted time in class. They must also work on this project outside of school. If needed, they can stay after school and work together on projects. They will be given 2 weeks to complete the project.
8. Student will bring in their completed projects and begin presenting them in a random order. Teacher will use the grading rubric to evaluate the project and presentation. This should take 3 or 4 days of allotted time to complete.

Evaluation: Students will be given a KWL worksheet, which they will need to fill out while on the website. They will be given a grading rubric which will supply them with the overall grade for their project. See KWL worksheet and grading rubric attached.