Computers in the Computers in the ClassroomClassroom

LTEC 4100.007LTEC 4100.007

Jane DoeJane Doe

September 16, 2009September 16, 2009

University of North TexasUniversity of North Texas

33rdrd Grade Science: Grade Science:The Solar SystemThe Solar System

Science TEKSScience TEKS (11) Science Concepts. The Student knows that the (11) Science Concepts. The Student knows that the

natural world includes earth materials and objects in natural world includes earth materials and objects in the sky.the sky.

(C) identify the planets in our solar system and their position (C) identify the planets in our solar system and their position in relation to the Sun in relation to the Sun

(D) describe the characteristics of the Sun(D) describe the characteristics of the Sun

Language Arts TEKSLanguage Arts TEKS (14) Writing/purposes. The Student writes for a variety (14) Writing/purposes. The Student writes for a variety

of audiences and purposes and in various forms.of audiences and purposes and in various forms. (B) Write to discover, develop, and refine ideas(B) Write to discover, develop, and refine ideas

Types of Learners Types of Learners

Third Grade students Third Grade students Male and FemaleMale and Female8-9 year olds8-9 year oldsKinesthetic learners Kinesthetic learners Visual learners Visual learners Auditory learners Auditory learners

Learning Objectives Learning Objectives

Students in the 3Students in the 3rdrd grade class will be able to grade class will be able to name the eight planets in our solar system and name the eight planets in our solar system and explain their placement in relation to the sun explain their placement in relation to the sun (Application). (Application).

Students will be able to describe the Sun and its Students will be able to describe the Sun and its characteristics (Comprehension).characteristics (Comprehension).

Students will be able to write a letter to a Students will be able to write a letter to a professional organization (NASA) and ask professional organization (NASA) and ask relevant questions to obtain any information they relevant questions to obtain any information they seek (Comprehension). seek (Comprehension).

Lesson PlanLesson Plan Have a classroom discussion about the Solar Have a classroom discussion about the Solar

SystemSystem What is the Solar System?What is the Solar System? How old is it?How old is it? Where is the Sun? Where is the Sun? What is the Sun made of?What is the Sun made of? What is the order of the planets?What is the order of the planets? Do planets have rings?Do planets have rings? What is a rocky planet? A gas giant?What is a rocky planet? A gas giant? Etc.Etc.

Lesson Plan cont. Lesson Plan cont. Separate students into groups of 4 or 5Separate students into groups of 4 or 5

Each group should make a solar system collage featuring and Each group should make a solar system collage featuring and labeling all 8 planets and the sun at least once.labeling all 8 planets and the sun at least once.

Collages should be put up for display.Collages should be put up for display. While creating collages students can also watch videos While creating collages students can also watch videos

on the solar system and the sun. on the solar system and the sun. After the collages are made and the videos are over, ask After the collages are made and the videos are over, ask

for 9 volunteers. for 9 volunteers. Clear the classroom (or go outside) and have the 9 students Clear the classroom (or go outside) and have the 9 students

replicate the solar system. Have them try to rotate around “the replicate the solar system. Have them try to rotate around “the sun.” Possibly have each “planet” revolve around its own axis as sun.” Possibly have each “planet” revolve around its own axis as well.well.

Let each student have a turn being a planet or the Sun. Let each student have a turn being a planet or the Sun.

Lesson Plans cont. Lesson Plans cont. Have the students write a letter to NASA telling them Have the students write a letter to NASA telling them

about learning about the solar system and asking a about learning about the solar system and asking a question about an aspect the solar system (Sun, planets, question about an aspect the solar system (Sun, planets, moons) they would like to know more about. moons) they would like to know more about. Give the students the option to mail the letter, or just complete it Give the students the option to mail the letter, or just complete it

for a grade. for a grade. MaterialsMaterials

Poster boardPoster board Magazines (Pictures of planets and the solar system)Magazines (Pictures of planets and the solar system) Paper and writing utensil Paper and writing utensil Solar System model (If possible)Solar System model (If possible) Educational videos (Bill Nye is good, but remember to explain Educational videos (Bill Nye is good, but remember to explain

it’s dated and Pluto is no longer a planet and why.)it’s dated and Pluto is no longer a planet and why.)

Evaluate Evaluate

Watch the students interact during each Watch the students interact during each section of the lesson. section of the lesson. Are they involved?Are they involved?Do they seem interested?Do they seem interested?

Make sure to pay attention to who Make sure to pay attention to who answers discussion questions and who answers discussion questions and who needs more guidance in the subject. needs more guidance in the subject.

EvaluateEvaluate

Talk to the students about the lessonTalk to the students about the lessonAsk them what they learned Ask them what they learned Ask them if they have any questions Ask them if they have any questions

regarding the subjectregarding the subjectSee if there is an activity they would have See if there is an activity they would have

liked to doliked to doTalk about working in groups and if that Talk about working in groups and if that

worked well worked well

EvaluateEvaluate

Read the students letters to NASARead the students letters to NASALook for references to ideas learned during Look for references to ideas learned during

the lesson the lesson Make sure the students appear to understand Make sure the students appear to understand

the solar systemthe solar systemGo over the Solar System the next day to Go over the Solar System the next day to

see if the information stucksee if the information stuckHave a quiz or worksheet to evaluate their Have a quiz or worksheet to evaluate their

knowledgeknowledge

References References

http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/ http://www.nineplanets.org/http://www.nineplanets.org/ http://www.nasa.gov/http://www.nasa.gov/ VideosVideos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HxE2EjKqxU&feature=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45v=1HxE2EjKqxU&feature=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=13 (Planets and Moons)F1ED7&index=13 (Planets and Moons)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXFwFKzFZZY&feature=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C4v=zXFwFKzFZZY&feature=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=19 (Sun)5F1ED7&index=19 (Sun)