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THEME/TOPIC: “Postcards from the Planets”GRADE: ThirdCONTENT OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES:Students will become familiar with the characteristics of the planets in our solar system. Students will be able to list the names and order of the eight planets in relation to the sun. Students will be able to research an individual planet in small groups and compare and contrast it to Earth, citing at least five facts about their planet. Students will present their research findings to the class and record planetary facts presented by their peers.LANGUAGE OBJECTIVES:Students will use English to obtain, process, construct, and provide subject matter in spoken and written form.Students will be able to say and write the names of the eight planets in proper order from the sun.Students will extend oral language by participating in cooperative learning groups. The students will be able to describe their planet in sentences using key vocabulary words and writing in postcard form. TARGETED CONTENT AREAS: ScienceMathematicsEnglish Language Arts & ReadingTechnology ApplicationsArtTEKS: §112.14. Science 8. (D) The student is expected to identify the planets in Earth's solar system and their position in relation to the Sun.§111.15. Mathematics 3.15 (A) The student is expected to explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology. §110.14. English Language Arts and Reading 20. (B) The student is expected to write letters whose language is tailored to the audience and purpose and that use appropriate conventions (e.g., date, salutation, closing). 26. (A) The student is expected to follow the research plan to collect information from multiple sources of information, both oral and written, including: (i) student-initiated surveys, on-site inspections, and interviews (ii) data from experts, reference texts, and online searches; and (iii) visual sources of information (e.g., maps, timelines, graphs) where appropriate §126.7. Technology Applications 3. (B) The student is expected to collect and organize information from a variety of formats, including text, audio, video, and graphics. §117.11. Art 2. (A) The student is expected to create artworks based on personal observations and experiences.ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY STANDARDS (ELPS): §74.4. English Language Proficiency Standards 3. (E) The student is expected to share information in cooperative learning interactions. (G) The student is expected to demonstrate comprehension of increasingly complex English by participating in shared reading, retelling or summarizing material, responding to questions, and taking notes commensurate with content area and grade level needs. 5. (B) The student is expected to write using newly acquired basic vocabulary and content-based grade level vocabulary. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS/RESOURCES:Book: Postcards from Pluto by Loreen LeedyVariety of Planet/Solar System books (in English & Spanish)Solar System Posters (in English & Spanish)Chart paper (for K-W-L)Planet Fact CardsPencils/Crayons/MarkersReal postcards to show as an examplePostcard Printout Worksheet“Data Collection” worksheetsComparing my planet worksheetOur Solar System Final AssessmentComputer and Internet Resources listed below: (Ask an astronomer – in Spanish) (game in Spanish) (site in Spanish and English) KEY VOCABULARY: (Pre-Teach) Solar System, Planet, Dwarf Planet, Orbit, Gravity, Order, Outer Space, Rotation, Revolve, NASA, Postcard, GalaxyINSTRUCTIONAL PLAN:(ANTICIPATORY SET/MOTIVATION) Using chart paper, make a class K-W-L chart. Begin by asking students what they KNOW about outer space, planets, the sun & moon, etc. Write down student responses under the “K” on the chart. Next, ask student what they WANT to learn about the Solar System and planets and write down student responses under the “W” on the chart. (TEACHER FACILITATION/GUIDED PRACTICE)Begin by showing students the map of the solar system in English and in Spanish. Count and name the planets. Ask students, “Did you know that some of the days of the week in Spanish come from the planets?” For example: Lunes (Monday) from la Luna and Martes (Tuesday) from Marte. Ask students if they have ever looked at the moon and noticed how it changes each night. What else can they see in the sky? (Sun, stars, clouds, etc.) Lead into discussion about planets and the solar system. Read the book Postcards from Pluto to the class. After reading, ask students what they learned about the planets from the story and record their responses on the K-W-L chart under “L”. In order to memorize the names of the planets in our solar system, teach students this sentence -beginning each word in the sentence with the beginning letter of a planet - “My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos” and have them record it in their Science journals.Divide students into groups of three and assign each group a planet, the Sun, or the Moon to research. Provide students with the “Data Collection” and “Comparing my Planet” worksheets. Each student in the group will have a different “Data Collection” worksheet with their own unique facts to locate. Remind students that there are various resources in English and in Spanish throughout the classroom that they may utilize in their search for information (visual representations, books, computers with pre-selected websites and software, etc.). Instruct students to find at least five facts about their planet that they would like to share with the class. The “Comparing My Planet” and “Data Collection” worksheets will assist students in knowing what information to look for. (STUDENT APPLICATION/INDEPENDENT PRACTICE)Allow students plenty of time to conduct research – approximately two hours over two days. When students have completed the research process, instruct them to design and write a postcard to a selected audience about their planet while incorporating at least five facts. Show students the store-bought blank postcards and ask, “Has anyone ever received a postcard like this in the mail?” Discuss. Students will create a rough draft of their postcard on the provided worksheet and then ask a group member to do a peer review. They will edit, revise, and create the final postcard on the worksheet provided. (Each student in the group will create their own postcard.)On the front of their postcard, students should illustrate an accurate representation of their planet. Show teacher’s example postcard for reference.(STUDENT PRESENTATIONS)Distribute “Planet Fact Cards” worksheets to each student. As each group presents information and reads their postcards to the class, students should write down the facts they learned about each planet from their peers’ presentations. Begin the presentations with the “Sun group” and continue in the order of the planets (Mercury, Venus . . . etc.) until all groups have presented their information. After all presentations are completed, return to the K-W-L chart and ask students what they have learned about the planets in our solar system this week. Record student responses on the chart under “L”. (CLOSURE/REVIEW)For a final review of the planets in our solar system, students will watch a short video; “My Fantastic Field Trip to the Planets”. ASSESSMENT:Students will turn-in all work completed throughout the week for evaluation.Students’ work will be assessed using the attached “Evaluation Rubric”. Items to be assessed include: “Data Collection” and “Comparing My Planet” worksheets, draft postcard, final postcard, oral presentation, and “Planet Fact Cards”. Students will take the “Our Solar System Final Assessment”.EXTENSION/DIFFERENTIATION: (Resource Students)Provide additional resources, more examples, and assistance as needed.(ELL Students)Simplify instructions, utilize Spanish resource materials, and allow these students to write their postcard in their L1 or L2 – their choice.(G/T Students)These students should also complete the Solar System Word Search Worksheet.Student: _________________________________________Beginning to meet (1 - 3)Meeting? (4 - 6)Exceeding? (7 - 10)MarksData Collection &Comparing My PlanetWorksheets-few answers provided-most answers incorrect-messy; not legible-most answers provided-five facts given-organized & legible-all answers provided - > five facts given -neat, free from errors_____/10Draft Post Card-uses some writing conventions (capitals, punctuation, spelling, paragraphs) -Data Collection worksheet rarely used-uses writing conventions (capitals, punctuation, spelling, paragraphs) most of the time -refers to Data Collection worksheet-correct use of writing conventions (capitals, punctuation, spelling, paragraphs)? -reflects full use of Data Collection & Comparing Planet worksheets_____/10Post Card-some errors corrected -grasp of task incomplete-most errors corrected -reflects task outcomes-all errors corrected -items reflect full range of task_____/10Oral Presentation-difficult to hear-not fluent -has no eye contact with audience -shows little organization-good use of voice -good fluency -attempts eye contact with audience -shows practice & organization-good use of voice -good expression & fluency -good eye contact with audience -rehearsed & very well organized_____/10Planet Fact Cards-was not attentive during peers’ presentations-had one or fewer facts for each planet-attentive during peers’ presentations-has a minimum of 3 facts for each planet-attentive during peers’ presentations-has more than three facts for each planet_____/10Total_____/50\s\s\s\sEarthMy PlanetName: ____________________Order from the Sun3Order from the SunDiameter- Length across7,926 milesDiameter- Length acrossLength of day24 hoursLength of dayLength of year365 daysLength of yearNumber of moons1Number of moonsAverage Temperature59 Degrees FahrenheitAverage TemperatureType: Terrestrial or GasTerrestrialType: Terrestrial or GasClassification: Inner or OuterInner PlanetClassification: Inner or OuterOther possible notable featuresOther possible notable featuresRingsNoRingsTilt~23 1/3 degreesTiltRotationCounterclockwiseRotationColorBlueColorOther: Spots/ Storms/ Volcanoes/ Valleys/ Atmosphere/ EtcDefinite surface with volcanoes, valleys. Has an atmosphere with weather/ storms.Other: Spots/ Storms/ Volcanoes/ Valleys/ Atmosphere/ EtcCOMPARING MY PLANETCalculating Your Weight on Other PlanetsYour weight on the moon is 16.5% of what it is on earth.For example: if you weigh 100 pounds on earth, you would weigh 16.5 pounds on the moon.List your weight in pounds: ____________________________Multiply your weight by 16.5 % ______________________That is your weight on the moon! Calculate your weight on other planets.Mercury: your weight x 0.738 _________________________________________Venus: your weight x 0.907 _________________________________________Mars: your weight x 0.377 _________________________________________Jupiter: your weight x 2.36 _________________________________________Saturn: your weight x 0.916 _________________________________________Uranus: your weight x 0.889 _________________________________________Neptune: your weight x 1.12 _________________________________________ ................
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