Introduction
Hello students!
Today you will become astronauts who will help me complete a mission in Space!
My name is Allen, the Astronaut, and I need your help in order to travel through our Solar System.
As you may know, our Solar System is located in the Milky Way Galaxy. My spaceship is currently located around planet Jupitar ( I think), and my destination is to find the Sun in our Solar System. However, I do not know which planets I need to pass in order to get to the Sun. Can you help me find our way through the Solar System to complete our Space Mission?
Let's Blast Off
This WebQuest was designed for students to explore and become familiar with the Planets that compose our Solar System, in the Milky Way Galaxy. Grade level: 10 Access Points Subject: Science Authors: Rebecca Cruz
Task
In order to complete your Space Mission, you will work in groups with 4 other astronauts . Your tasks will be as follows:
- You will watch a brief video about the Solar System and gather information to complete your "Solar System Worksheet".
- You will research facts and characteristics of each planet from our Solar System to complete your "Mission Report".
- You will compile the information from your research into a Power Point template that your group will present it to the class.
Process
Ready, Set, Blast Off!
Greetings Astronauts! It's Allen, the Astronaut here again. Here are the steps you will need to follow to complete our Space Mission:
- Step 1:Recieve your "Our Solar System Worksheet". Then click on the following link to watch a brief video. Once you are done watching the video, answer the questions from the worksheet. (You can always go back to the video if you need to in order to complete your worksheet). Solar System Video
- Step 2: Recieve your "Mission Report" . Then click on the following link to take you to the kidsAstronomy.com
There you will find information from each planet that composes our Solar System. Gather 3 facts or characteristics of each planet into your Mission Report. (There are links to each planet located on the left side of the page on the KidsAstronomy.com website)
- Step 3: On your "Mission Report", explain which planets will Allen, the Astronaut, have to pass by in order to reach his destination, the Sun.
- Step 4: Open the Power Point Template. Now use your "Our Solar System Worksheet" and your "Mission Report" to complete your final project and present it to your classmates.
- Step 5: Present your Space Mission to the class!
Evaluation
|
Beginning 1 |
Developing 2 |
Accomplished 3 |
Exemplary 4 |
Score |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Completed "Our Solar System Worksheet"
|
Named 3 Planets (3 points) | Named 5 Planets(5 points) | Named 8 Planets(8 points) | Answered all questions(10 points) | 10 points |
|
Completed "Mission Report Worksheet"
|
Listed less than 3 facts, did not answer question.(3 points) | Listed less than 3 facts, answered question(5 points) | Listed 3 facts, did not answer question.(8 points) | Listed 3 facts, answered question.(10 points) | 10 points |
|
Power Point Template
|
Slides are not completed(0 points) | Completed less than 5 slides(10 points) | Completed less than 8 slides(20 points) | Completed all slides(30 points) | 30 points |
|
Power Point Presentation
|
Group did not present(0 points) | Group presented some of the research(20 points) | Group presented most of the research.(30 points) | Group presented all the research.(40 points) | 40 points |
|
Participation |
Student did not participate(0 points) | Student participated in some of the activities, but did not participate in presentation(5 points) | Student participated in activities, but did not participate in presentation(8 points) | Student participated in activities and presentation(10 points) | 10 points |
Č
Conclusion
I am very pleased with your research and findings! We have learned some facts and characteristics about the 8 planets that compose our Solar System. Most importantly, you all have helped me find my destination from Neptune to the Sun, by learning the order in which the planets are located in our Solar System.
Remember: "My Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Neptune"
Hope to work with you all again in the near future for another Space Mission!
Best regards,
Allen, the Astronaut
Credits
Teacher Page
Teacher Page
Learners
- Students will be able to identify that the Solar System includes the Sun, Earth, and other planets
Students will be able to recognize the major differences in the characteristics of the planets in the Solar System
Students will be able to use observation thinking skills by watching a brief introductory video and other online sources. They will also use categorization thinking skills, by researching specific information needed about the planets to complete their worksheets. This lesson encourages collaborative work in order to complete all activities.
Process
Step 1: Print out the "Our Solar System Worksheet" at the bottom of the page. Then click on the following link to watch a brief video. Once you are done watching the video, answer the questions from the worksheet. (You can always go back to the video if you need to in order to complete your worksheet). Solar System Video
Step 2: Print out the "Mission Report" at the bottom of the page. Then click on the following link to take you to the KidsAstronomy.com website. There you will find information from each planet that composes our Solar System. Gather 3 facts or characteristics of each planet into your Mission Report. (There are links to each planet located on the left side of the page on the KidsAstronomy.com website)
Step 3: On your "Mission Report", explain which planets will Austin, the Astronaut, have to pass by in order to reach his destination, the Sun.
Step 4: Open the Power Point Template link at the bottom of the page. Now use your "Our Solar System Worksheet" and your "Mission Report" to complete your final project and present it to your classmates.
Step 5: Present your Space Mission to the class!
*This lesson involves one class, in which students can be divided into groups of 4. Step 1 and Step 2 can be completed during one class period. Step 3 and Step 4 will also require 1 class period. Allow students an additional class period to work on their presentations.
*If there are any issues assessing the video provided during Step 1, the specific URL in which it can be found is: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/science-space-kids/solar-system-101-kids/
*The educator will need to have basic skills on online navigation through the online sources provided, and basic skills on Power Point software.
Resources Needed
Describe what's needed to implement this lesson. Some of the possibilities:
- Online access
- Adobe Flash Reader for video
- Printer
- Power Point Software
Links to Online Sources used:
Video: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/science-space-kids/solar-system-101-kids/
The Solar System- Astronomy for Kids: http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
Evaluation
By the end of this WebQuest, the students will be able to identify specific characteristics of the planets in the Solar System, and their location in it. Students will be evaluated based on: completion of "Our Solar System Worksheet" (which lists the planets in order after the Sun), completion of the "Mission Report Worksheet" (which lists facts about each of the planets and a conclusion paragraph based on their findings), completion of a Power Point Template (information obtained from the above worksheets), a final presentation of their findings to their peers, and participation.
Conclusion
This lesson supports learning about the planets in the Solar System, as well as their location in it. Collaborative work is encourage for students to experience group work skills in research and presentation.
Credits & References