5 th Graders Journey into Space Mr. V. Johnson, 4 th /5 th Grade Teacher Ms. K. Patterson, Library/Media Specialist Spring 2015

Standards ScienceCommon CoreLibrary/Media 2.0 – Earth/Space ScienceCC.5.R.I.7 - Integration of Knowledge and Ideas – Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer questions. 2.D.1 – Identify and compare properties, location and movement of celestial objects in our solar system. Draw information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently – Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning. 2.D.1.b – Identify the properties of the planet Earth that make it possible for the survival of life as we know it: - temperature - location - presence of an atmosphere - presence of water (solid, liquid, and gas) CC.5.R.I.9 – Integration of Knowledge and Ideas – Organize knowledge so that it is useful. 2.D.1.c – Compare the properties of at least one other planet in our solar system to those of Earth to determine if it could support life as we know it. Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably – Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular area, real-world situations and further investigations.

Introduction Recently in Science, you have learned about the solar system. Therefore, as a culminating activity, you will research in depth the various planets and their relation with the sun. While conducting your research, you will begin to gather information and use that information to think of a planet that you could create and explain the physical features of your planet, the location of your planet as it relates to the sun and identify if living things could survive there. So get ready to blast off to a fun and exciting adventure in exploring our solar system!!!!!

Tasks Because you are in the 5 th grade, space travel has not been offered to you as of yet but we know that one day that can change. Until then, you will have to use your imagination for this space travel. You are being hired by NASA as a junior astronaut to go on a space mission to study the planets in our solar system. Some questions you may want to think about as you are conducting your space mission:  How do scientist believe that our solar system was formed?  What is the order of the planets according to their distance from the sun?  What are the three characteristics needed to be labeled as a planet?  Based on the information above, how many planets are in our solar system?  Identify the stats for each planet you visit (size, temperature, etc). So, let’s embark on a simulated space adventure and collect as much data and information as possible in order to write a report and create a visual project of the solar system. You will also present your findings orally to the class.

Process Earth SunVenus Mars JupiterEarthSunVenusMars Jupiter Use the links provided to gather information about each of the nine planets in our solar system. Click on images to access TSS databases (remember to use your student id number as your username and your first name is the password). After collecting the information, write a report for each of the planets, including images and then design an imaginary planet. Name your imaginary planet, identify the size/color of your planet, the location of your planet as it relates to the sun, identify if your planet will have living things/non- living things on it and tell what they are. If your planet has living things, please identify how they will survive. You can use the Space Adventure template as a guide for your written report (do not submit this as your written report).Space Adventure

Evaluation Needs Improvement GoodVery GoodExcellent Visual Project Little attempt to use color, design and space. Project appearance is sloppy. Planets are not in the correct order. Adequate use of color, design and space. Appearance somewhat meets the expectations. Planets are somewhat arranged accordingly. Great use of color, design and space. Appearance is appropriate and meets expectations. Planets are arranged accordingly. Outstanding use of color, design and space. Appearance of the project is above expectations. Planets are arranged accordingly. Written Project No details to support the topic. Information is not accurate. Information does not support the visual project. A lot of grammatical errors. Illustrations do not support topic. Most details to support the topic. Information is lacking. Frequent grammatical errors. Few illustrations to support the topic. Appropriate details to support the topic. Accurate information for almost all topic. Most illustrations complement purpose the visual. Mostly free of grammatical errors. Most illustrations complement the topic. Details are above and beyond the required topic and supports the topic. Information is accurate and detailed. Free from grammatical errors. All illustrations complement purpose the visual. Oral Presentation Presenter does not engage the audience. Words are not clear or incorrectly pronounced. Presenter reads from the paper. Presenter engages the audience. Words are clear and the presenter makes some eye contact. Sometimes the presenter reads from the paper. Presenter engages the audience. Words are clear and makes frequent eye contact. Presenter does not read from the slide. Presenter goes above and beyond to engage the audience. Maintains consistent eye contact with the audience throughout the presentation. Presenter does not read from the slide.

Conclusion Now that you have conducted your research on the various planets, which planets did you find most interesting? Explain why. What are your thoughts about doing this research project? How can this research project be improved?

Ideas for Mobile and Dioramas Examples: Space Dioramas Examples: Mobile Planets

References Below are a list of resources you can use to help you gather information. The books and encyclopedias are located in the library behind the circulation desk. You can visit the library before or afterschool. Remember to use the databases on TSS DK Eyewitness Books World Book Encyclopedias World Book Solar System & Space Exploration Library World Book Student Discovery Science Encyclopedias Images from Pinterest.com