Introduction
Students, you will embark on an exciting journey to explore Pluto. Pluto is considered a dwarf planet. Find out more about this exciting dwarf planet.
This web quest is for students in grades 4 or 5.
Task
Students will complete the following tasks:
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Answer questions in your science journal.
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Reflect on pictures of Pluto
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Learn vocabulary that relates to Pluto.
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Play with an interactive on Pluto.
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Take quizzes on Pluto.
Process
Students, please complete the following steps and have fun exploring Pluto.
1. Pluto is considered a dwarf planet. What are the two things that make Pluto a dwarf planet? Click on the link below to find out.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/space/dwarf-planets/#dwarf-pluto.jpg
- In your science journal complete this sentence: To be a dwarf planet, Pluto must do these two things:
1.
2.
- Then go to the images on the website. There are seven pictures.Click on the arrow to the right after reading the description. Choose one of the pictures you like best. Draw a sketch of the picture in your science journal and explain why you chose it.
2. Now let's look at some words related to Pluto. Click on the link below and in your journals fill in the blanks to complete each sentence.
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/ice-dwarf/en/
- The Kuiper Belt is an area full of __________ and other _________ planets at the edge of our solar system.
- Pluto is ________ the width of the United States.
Scroll to "Let's go there" and complete the sentence below in your science journal.
- The mission on January 19,2006, where NASA launched a robot spacecraft is called ____________.
3. What are some other facts about Pluto ? Click on the link below. Read about Pluto and answer the questions/statements about Pluto in your journal.
https://www.ducksters.com/science/pluto.php
- How many moons does Pluto have ?
- The distance of Pluto from the sun is ____________.
- Choose 1 fact that stood out to you. Record this in your journal.
Scroll down to activities. Click on the quiz button. The goal is an 80 % or above. You can take this quiz as many times as needed.
4. Now you get to play ! Play with Pluto interactives that is. Click on the link below. Play around with the interactives. Pay attention to pictures below the interactives. Reflect in your journal about what you notice about these pictures.
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/dwarf-planets/pluto/overview/
5. Quiz time- Take a second quiz on Pluto. To take the quiz click on the link below.
https://www.space.com/16537-pluto-quiz-dwarf-planet-moons.html
Evaluation
Students, you have many opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge.
1. Students earn: 10 points if steps 1-5 of the web quest is completed.
5 points- if the web quest is partially done.
0 points if the web quest is not done at all.
2. Statements/ reflections in journal- I will meet with each student to go over your journals.
3. Sketch of planet- 3 points- done completely and with effort.
2 points- done, but with a few errors
1 point- done, but drawing is messy and shows lack of effort.
0 points- no sketch of the planet was done.
4. Two quizzes- I will take the two scores on the quiz and get the average.
Score Quiz 1________
Score Quiz 2________
5. I will also be scoring you based on my observations of how productively you are working.
3 points -Student was productive and needed no prompts to stay on task.
2 points- Student was productive ,but needed prompts to stay on task. (No more than two prompts.
1 point- student needed more than two prompts to stay on task.
0 points- student needed more than 5 prompts to stay on task.
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing this exciting journey to Pluto. Now you have some interesting facts to take with you when you learn more about the solar system.
Credits
Pictures used in this web quest.
Pluto - introduction page
Pluto-task page
Pluto-process page
Progress clip art- evaluation page
Congratulations
Websites used in the webquest
Astronomy:Dwarf Planet Pluto. Retrieved from
https://www.ducksters.com/science/pluto.php
Dwarf Planets: Pluto [National Geographic Kids] Retrieved from
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/space/dwarf-planets/#dwarf-pluto.jpg
NASA Space Place. Retrieved from https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/ice-dwarf/en/
Pluto Quiz: How well do you know the dwarf planet? Retrieved from
https://www.space.com/16537-pluto-quiz-dwarf-planet-moons.html
Solar System Exploration: NASA Science. Retrieved from
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/dwarf-planets/pluto/overview/
Teacher Page
Next Generation Science Standards
Identify the evidence that supports particular points in an explanation. 4-ESS1-1
Common Core State Standards
ELA
RI.4.7 Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
Math
M.P. 5 Use appropriate tools strategically.
General Information
Students would probably need about a week to complete this web quest.
When students have to write in their journal, they can also type their responses and paste it in their journal.
This web quest was created by Lori Nelson