Computers in the Classroom LTEC Jane Doe September 16, 2009 University of North Texas

3 rd Grade Science: The Solar System Science TEKS Science TEKS (11) Science Concepts. The Student knows that the natural world includes earth materials and objects in the sky. (11) Science Concepts. The Student knows that the natural world includes earth materials and objects in the sky. (C) identify the planets in our solar system and their position in relation to the Sun (C) identify the planets in our solar system and their position in relation to the Sun (D) describe the characteristics of the Sun (D) describe the characteristics of the Sun Language Arts TEKS Language Arts TEKS (14) Writing/purposes. The Student writes for a variety of audiences and purposes and in various forms. (14) Writing/purposes. The Student writes for a variety 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 Third Grade students Third Grade students Male and Female Male and Female 8-9 year olds 8-9 year olds Kinesthetic learners Kinesthetic learners Visual learners Visual learners Auditory learners Auditory learners

Learning Objectives Students in the 3 rd grade class will be able to name the eight planets in our solar system and explain their placement in relation to the sun (Application). Students in the 3 rd grade class will be able to name the eight planets in our solar system and explain their placement in relation to the sun (Application). Students will be able to describe the Sun and its characteristics (Comprehension). Students will be able to describe the Sun and its characteristics (Comprehension). Students will be able to write a letter to a professional organization (NASA) and ask relevant questions to obtain any information they seek (Comprehension). Students will be able to write a letter to a professional organization (NASA) and ask relevant questions to obtain any information they seek (Comprehension).

Lesson Plan Have a classroom discussion about the Solar System Have a classroom discussion about the Solar System 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. Separate students into groups of 4 or 5 Separate students into groups of 4 or 5 Each group should make a solar system collage featuring and labeling all 8 planets and the sun at least once. Each group should make a solar system collage featuring and 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 on the solar system and the sun. While creating collages students can also watch videos on the solar system and the sun. After the collages are made and the videos are over, ask for 9 volunteers. After the collages are made and the videos are over, ask for 9 volunteers. Clear the classroom (or go outside) and have the 9 students replicate the solar system. Have them try to rotate around “the sun.” Possibly have each “planet” revolve around its own axis as well. Clear the classroom (or go outside) and have the 9 students replicate the solar system. Have them try to rotate around “the sun.” Possibly have each “planet” revolve around its own axis as 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. Have the students write a letter to NASA telling them about learning about the solar system and asking a question about an aspect the solar system (Sun, planets, moons) they would like to know more about. Have the students write a letter to NASA telling them about learning about the solar system and asking a question about an aspect the solar system (Sun, planets, moons) they would like to know more about. Give the students the option to mail the letter, or just complete it for a grade. Give the students the option to mail the letter, or just complete it for a grade. Materials Materials Poster board Poster 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 it’s dated and Pluto is no longer a planet and why.) Educational videos (Bill Nye is good, but remember to explain it’s dated and Pluto is no longer a planet and why.)

Evaluate Watch the students interact during each section of the lesson. Watch the students interact during each 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 answers discussion questions and who needs more guidance in the subject. Make sure to pay attention to who answers discussion questions and who needs more guidance in the subject.

Evaluate Talk to the students about the lesson Talk to the students about the lesson Ask them what they learned Ask them what they learned Ask them if they have any questions regarding the subject Ask them if they have any questions regarding the subject See if there is an activity they would have liked to do See if there is an activity they would have liked to do Talk about working in groups and if that worked well Talk about working in groups and if that worked well

Evaluate Read the students letters to NASA Read the students letters to NASA Look for references to ideas learned during the lesson Look for references to ideas learned during the lesson Make sure the students appear to understand the solar system Make sure the students appear to understand the solar system Go over the Solar System the next day to see if the information stuck Go over the Solar System the next day to see if the information stuck Have a quiz or worksheet to evaluate their knowledge Have a quiz or worksheet to evaluate their knowledge

References Videos Videos ure=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=13 (Planets and Moons) ure=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=13 (Planets and Moons) ure=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=13 ure=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=13 ature=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=19 (Sun) ature=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=19 (Sun) ature=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=19 ature=PlayList&p=33ACA5C7C45F1ED7&index=19