1. Understanding Solar System Conditions and Distances Erin Fitzgerald Ed 200 Fall 05 Curriculum Project Trinity College

2. 3 rd Grade Solar System: planetary conditions Group activity Focus on applying knowledge Thinking Critically

3. Students will understand concepts of the solar system, including the planetary conditions and their distances away from the sun. Students will have to think critically to understand and analyze how the distances from the sun changes the planetary conditions. Students will synthesize a hypothetical trip to all of the planets, while applying rich and accurate scientific knowledge of the planetary conditions and distances. Children will learn to work in a group, to be open minded about others ideas, while being able to defend their own ideas, and come out with a final consensus.

4. 100 Watt light bulb in the middle of the room Create “orbits” of each planet with tape around the bulb Children hold up their hands to feel the heat from each distance on the orbit

5. Using what they learned throughout the week, as well as creativity, children will apply their knowledge and create a book The book consists of a detailed description of their hypothetical trip to each planet from the sun to Pluto Children have to state what they see and feel from the information they have learned

6. Final product : Book Rubric

7. ___ Correct Order of Planets (15 pts) ___ Accurate and detailed planetary conditions (50 pts) ___ Organization of Book (fluency) (25 pts) ___ Creativity (10 pts)