Introduction
Introduction: Welcome future Astronaunts! Have you ever wondered how it would be to travel throught space? Today you will some activities as your own space adventure teams to discover all of our amazing planets. Together, each team will investigate all the planets, compare their characteristics, and create a creative presentation to showcase all you have explored.
Essential Question: What makes each planet in our solar system unique? Why is Earth the best planet to support life?
Learning objective: Students will do multiple activities in order to show that they are able to identify the characteristics of each planets including researching the solar system, comparing each planets characteristics, and creating a presentation through Canva on each planet and why the Earth is the best place for humans to live.
Task
Watch video with students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQrlgH97v94
Activity 1: Explore the Solar System
- Each group member visits any of the assigned websites and researches the sun and each of the eight planets
Activity 2: Planet Comparison Chart
- Each group creates a comparison chart that includes planet names, types (rocky or gas), number of moons, one unique characteristic using their research
Activity 3: Space Exploration Team Presentation
- Using Canva, create a presentation explaining: The order of the planets, facts about each planet, which planet is most interesting, why Earth is unique, and a fun fact about the solar system. Each group member must present one section.
Process
Step 1: Students will be placed into groups randomly
Step 2:Students will assign roles for the Canva project based on who is going to do which planet. Each students will present the planet they are assigned in their group presentation.
Step 3: Research using these websites
- https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/menu/solar-system/
- https://www.timeforkids.com/k1/the-solar-system-k1/
- https://www.esa.int/kids/en/learn/Our_Universe/Planets_and_moons/The_Solar_System_and_its_planets
Step 4: Each team will post on a discussion board a comparison chart of each planet
- Planet names
- Types (rocky or gas)
- Number of moons
- One unique characteristic using their research
Step 5: Create your Canva presentation including
- Title
- The Sun
- The eight planets. One per each slide
- Which planet they believe is the most interesting
- Fun facts
- Why is the Earth good for supporting life.
- Sources
Step 6: Present in front of class
Evaluation
Presentation Evaluation Rubric:
| Criteria | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Needs Improvement (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research | Accurate and complete | Mostly accurate | Some missing information | Limited research |
| Teamwork | Everyone contributed | Most participated | Uneven participation | Little teamwork |
| Presentation | Clear, organized, creative | Mostly organized | Some organization | Difficult to follow |
| Creativity | Excellent visuals | Good visuals | Few visuals | Minimal effort |
| Accuracy | All facts correct | Mostly correct | Some errors | Many errors |
Conclusion
Congratulations, astronauts!
You have completed your mission through the solar system and discovered that every planet has unique features. You also learned why Earth is the only known planet that supports life. I hope you enjoyed your exploration of our solar system!
Enrichment Activity: Students can see what it looks like in the solar system and interact with each planet to learn more
https://www.solarsystemscope.com/