Finding Out About the Stars and Planets

Grade Levels: K, 1, 2, 3, 4

Lesson Created by: Pat Hale phale@dmrtc.net

Objective: By using the resources on this web-based activity, students will develop knowledge about the planets and constellations in our Solar System.

Time Requirements: approximately 4 weeks

Materials Needed:

• Internet access
• web browser - Netscape or Internet Explorer- Windows 95
• E-mail access in your classroom
• age appropriate resources planets-including print and non-print

• art supplies

Description of Activities:

• About 6 weeks before you begin the unit on the Solar System, you should announce the collaborative project on the educational electronic mailing services. A suggested collaborative project that is related to this topic is described at http://siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/collab.html   You could organize a similar project or use this one.

• To begin the unit on the Solar System, you could read a book or show a video. These are some suggestions that might be used with K-3 classes:

• The Magic School Bus Gets Lost in Space by Joanna Cole--Join Mrs. Fitzzle as the class takes a solar field trip to all of the planets. Good factual information in an entertaining format.

• Postcards from Pluto : A Tour of the Solar System by Loreen Leedy
  Dr. Quasar gives a group of children a tour of the solar system, describing each of the planets from Mercury to Pluto.

• The Solar System : Exploring the Earth and Its Neighbors by Miquel Perez
  The sun, the moon and the planets are explored in this tale of a group of children who make an exciting visit to a planetarium. Afterwards, the boys and girls imagine a space adventure of their own.

• Use the slide show with students to increase their knowledge about the planets.
  http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/solar1.htm

• Have students create their own slide show. It can be done as a web site or as a class book. This can be done using note cards. Have students work on researching true facts about the planets. Use the online resources as possible sites to see for this project.
  http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/resources.htm

• After students have read about the planets have them take the online quiz located at
  http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/quiz.htm

• Let your students read the space riddles located at
  http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/mainjoke.htm
  They might want to create their own riddle book or create a Which Planet Am I ? book about the planets. Example-
                                   I have a Great Red Spot.
                                   Scientists have recently discovered that I have rings made of dust and ice
                                    I come after Mars in the Solar System.
                                    Which planet am I?               (Jupiter)

• Your students might enjoy doing the wordsearch and crossword puzzles. These need to be printed out and a copy made for students or groups. This activity will help students to practice some of the new vocabulary words they have learned.
  http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/spacewordgames.htm

• Now that your students are ready for the Space Treasure Hunt that is located at http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/mainjoke.htm Print out the form and let students work in groups to locate the answers to the questions. They can e-mail them and become part of the Gallery of Stars.
  http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/gallery.htm

• As students read and research about the planets they might have questions they would like to ask. Have your students write a question and e-mail it to the experts at Lick University in California. They will write you back.
  http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/expert.htm

• Your students might want to create some models of the solar system. Look at what the 2nd graders did and follow the directions to make your own solar system models.
  http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/projects.htm

We hope you have enjoyed our web site on the Solar System. Please let us know how you have used the site. http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/space/feedback.htm