Introduction
Welcome: Our Planetary Solar System
Description: This WebQuest is to teach students about the different characteristics of each of the planets we have in our Solar System today.
Grade: 4-5 grade
Curriculum: Science
Author: Madi McGrew
Task
You are a scientist and a massive astroid just struck the solar system and all of the planets have been knocked out of alignment. It is now your job with the help of a variety of resources to help put the planets back together according to their characteristics. You know the Earth is the 3rd farthest planet from the Sun, but you're unsure about the rest. The Universe is depending on you!
Process
1.) First you will: view the video "What is a Planet" provided by the link below to gain a better understanding of what a planet actually is and why they are up in space.
http://www.teachertube.com/video/what-is-a-planet-306173
2.) You must understand what the planets in our Solar System are called and with a pencil and a piece of paper jot down 3 important chacteristics (WITH ONE BEING THE DISTANCE FROM THE SUN) that make them different from one another. You will find the answers to these questions from the following websites:
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/
https://www.msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/uc/solar_system/2/ucss2_1…
3.) After finding the names and 3 important characteristics of each planet, gather your information and make a well organized chart to show your findings.
4.) Using the distance from the Sun and the other characteristics you found about the planets, carefully place the planets back in their correct order.
5.) Draw your diagram on a big sheet of construction paper provided by your teacher.
Evaluation
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Calculations and findings: Student did not participate and follow through with the web assignment. |
Student took the time to understand the assignment but did not properly finish. |
Student listened to directions and properly did the assignment, but didn’t follow all directions carefully and accurately. |
Student showed great effort and went above and beyond for the assignment. |
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Alignment of the planets: Student carelessly displayed planets in sporadic alignment. |
Student had somewhat of an idea of proper planet alignment, but still had the majority out of place. |
Student had half or more of the planets correctly aligned. |
Student showed all planets aligned perfectly without one out of place. |
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Presentation and Neatness: Student hurried to finish and didn’t organize date efficiently. |
Student tried to organize data, but did so in a sloppy manner. |
Student presented planets in an organized manner with somewhat eye catching appearance of alignment. |
Student accurately organized all planets and presented them professionally and the appearance was colorful and vibrant. |
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TOTAL: ________/60 |
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Beginning 5pts Developing 10pts Very Good 15pts Exemplary 20pts
Conclusion
Yay!!! You are a hero! Congrats, you have officially aligned all the planets back together and saved the Universe! Way to go you!
Now as we close, ponder on these questions and disucss them with your classmates:
Does it really matter if all the planets were in their correct spots? Are there some planets that are identically the same or very similar?
What is the importance of planetary alignment for the universe and could this very problem occur in the near future?
I hope you enjoyed this WebQuest and remember the importance of our planets! Thank You!
Teacher Page
Teacher: Madalyn McGrew
Credits:
TeacherTube
Solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets
Msnucleus.org