Introduction
You are an astronaut on your way to Uranus to search for extraterrestrial life. On the way to Uranus, you encounter a meteor shower and your ship gets off course. You are forced to land on an unknown planet in order to get back on course. Let's investigate the characteristics of the unknown planet so we can figure out how far we are from Uranus.
Task
Hello astronauts! Over the next week, you will work in groups to explore and learn about different planets in our solar system. Each group will have a different planet to discover and will present their findings to the class.
Each group will be given a different set of characteristics and be expected to determine which planet they have landed on. You will be given different websites and questions to guide you along the way. At the end of the week, you will present a poster to the class that will tell us about the planet that you have landed on. This presentation will teach the class about your planet and tell us how far it is from Uranus.
Good luck exploring!
Process
Now that you have landed on your unknown planet, it is time to begin. Each group is given their planet characteristics and has a worksheet to guide them in assembling facts about their planet.
Before you begin, start by watching this video about the planets in our solar system.
After watching the video, each group should make an educated guess on which planet they are on based to their characteristics and turn the guess into me. This guess will not count for or against you.
After making the guess, each group must now go to the website listed for their group and fill out their worksheet. The website will provide you with your correct planet and guide you in finding facts for your presentation.
Group 1: https://www.ducksters.com/science/mercury.php
Group 2: https://www.ducksters.com/science/mars.php
Group 3: https://www.ducksters.com/science/saturn.php
Group 4: https://www.ducksters.com/science/neptune.php
Group 5: https://www.ducksters.com/science/earth.php
Group 6: https://www.ducksters.com/science/venus.php
Group 7: https://www.ducksters.com/science/jupiter.php
After filling out the worksheet, look at the picture below and determine how many planets your planet is away from Neptune.
Now that your research is finished, you can gather all of your materials and begin to work on your project. If your group would like to present your findings in another way, please see me.
Evaluation
|
Group # |
Beginning Astronaut |
Junior Astronaut |
Astronaut |
Senior Astronaut |
Score |
|
Each member fills out their worksheet completely and correctly. |
All questions are incorrect or worksheet is not turned in. |
There are more than 2 questions incorrect. |
There are 1-2 questions missed. |
No questions were missed. |
30% |
|
Presentation provides the class with accurate information about the planet. |
Facts presented are not relevant to topic or all of the facts are incorrect. |
Some facts presented are incorrect. |
1-2 facts are incorrect. |
All facts are relevant and correct. |
30% |
|
Group stays on task and work as a team. |
One person does all of the work, many reminders have to be given, or group is not working together. |
Group has to be reminded more than three times to stay on task. |
Group has to be reminded a couple times to stay on task. |
Group works together the whole time while also staying on task. |
10% |
|
Project is visually pleasing and presented with correct grammar. |
Project is disorganized, has no visuals, or has many grammatical errors. |
A few grammatical errors are present or there are some visuals, but not enough. |
1-2 grammatical errors or there is a visuals that are not present |
No grammatical errors and visuals are plentiful while also being relevant. |
30% |
Conclusion
Welcome to Uranus! You made it! The planets are an integral part of the solar system and were our first stop when learning about the solar system. We will be looking at each part of the solar system and be experts in no time.
Credits
Resource Links
Video Link:
Worksheet fill in links:
https://www.ducksters.com/science/mercury.php
https://www.ducksters.com/science/mars.php
https://www.ducksters.com/science/saturn.php
https://www.ducksters.com/science/neptune.php
https://www.ducksters.com/science/earth.php
https://www.ducksters.com/science/venus.php
https://www.ducksters.com/science/jupiter.php
Picture links:
Teacher Page
I planned this webquest in order to give an introduction to the unit. The students start out by just getting some basic knowledge about the planets which helps get them interested in the solar system.
GA State Standards
Subject: Science
Learning Standard : S4E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars and planets.
Grade/Subject : Grade 4