What planet are you from?

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel to a different planet for a day?

Come with me as we journey to the different planets in our Solar System!

3...2...1...

BLAST OFF!!!!!!

Task

Here is your mission space cadets...

You will have to complete 3 tasks on your mission:

  1. Choose what planet you would like to visit.  Destination choices include: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune.

  2. During your stay on your planet, gather as much information as possible, and then report back to earth in a letter.

  3. After your return, recreate an object that you found on your adventure, that you would like to share with the class.

 

Process

Step #1

»Choose your destination site!

 

Step #2

Research your planet by clicking on one of the following:

 

                         

            

           

           

                             

For additional information on your planet you may visit:

http://www.astronomy.com/content/static/AstroForKids/

 

Here are some examples of what to include in your research:

  1. How much would you weigh on your planet?

  2. How many moons are on your planet?

  3. What does your planet look like?

  4. What kind of clothes do you think you would wear on your planet?

  5. What do you think your environment would be like?

* Make sure you use your imagination as much as possible, but be sure to also include the facts to support your research.*

Step #3

- Now that you have finished researching, send a letter to our class about what life is like on your planet.  Be sure to include information from  Step# 2.

*Be creative and use correct grammar.*

*Use friendly letter format.*

click here for letter example and format

 

Step #4

Bring us back a souvenir!!!!!

-Recreate an object from your planet that you found interesting, and would like to share with the class.  Examples may include:

 - drawing a picture

 - creating a poster

 - designing a model

 - painting an artwork. 

Evaluation

Letter Rubric

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Grammar & spelling (conventions) Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling. Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar and/or spelling. Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar and/or spelling Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar and/or spelling.
Ideas Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to figure out what the letter was about. Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organization could have been better. Ideas were somewhat organized, but were not very clear. It took more than one reading to figure out what the letter was about. The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very difficult to figure out what the letter was about.
Content Accuracy The letter contains at least 5 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains 3-4 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains 1-2 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains no accurate facts about the topic.
Format Complies with all the requirements for a friendly letter. Complies with almost all the requirements for a friendly letter. Complies with several of the requirements for a friendly letter. Complies with less than 75% of the requirements for a friendly letter.

 

Souvenir Rubric
 

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
         
Content - Accuracy The souvenir accurately  relates to their planet The souvenir mostly relates to the planet The souvenir relates somewhat to the planet. The souvenir does not relate to the planet
Attractiveness The souvenir is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. The souvenir is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. The souvenir is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. The souvenir is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.


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Conclusion

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!  You have completed your mission like a true space cadet.  We hope you have had an orbital experience and learned a lot in the process.

 

Credits
Teacher Page

Science Standards

Earth and Space

    - Demonstrating and understanding of the composition of the universe, the solar system and Earth

    - Grasp an understanding of the historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with Earth and space sciences.

    - Explain the characteristics, cycles and patterns involving Earth and its place in the solar system.

 

Scientific Inquiry

    - Use oral, written and pictorial representation to communicate work

    - Describe things as accurately as possible and compare with the observation of others.

 

Writing Standards

Writing Process

    - Generate ideas for written compositions

 

Writing Applications

    - Writing formal and informal letters that include relevant information and date, proper salutation, body, closing, and signature.

    - Compose writing that convey a clear message and include well-chosen details.

 

Writing Conventions

    - Print legibly using appropriate spacing.

    - Spell grade appropriate words correctly.

    - Use conventions of punctuation and capitalization in written work.

    - Use grammatical structures in written work

 

Research

    - utilize appropriate searching techniques to gather information from a variety of locations.

 

 

Reading Standards

Reading Applications

    - Use visual aids as sources to gain additional information

    - Identify the central ideas and supporting details of information text.

 

Art Standards

Creative Expressions and Communication

    - Recognize and identify a purpose or intent for creating an original work of art.

    - Create an original work of art that illustrates a story or interprets a theme.