Solar System Internet Activity

Credits:

Steve Gandy

Mountain View Elementary School

Broomfield, Colorado

steve@stevegandy.com

VITAL INFORMATION

Subject Matter:

Language Arts (English), Mathematics, Reading, Science, Technology

Grades:

Software Application:

Any Internet Browser:

Internet Explorer

Netscape

and

Any word processor:

StarOffice, AppleWorks, Microsoft Word

LESSON DESCRIPTION

Summary:

This is a comprehensive unit of study for 4th grade solar system science. There are 8 parts; they all integrate Internet skills with the science content. The 8 parts are:

1. Make Bookmarks of Favorites of good planet sites.

2. Browse the web for info. on your planet.

3. Download and print pictures from your planet.

4. Answer these questions about your planet.

5. Use NASA's Solar System Simulator.

6. Ask a scientist a question about your planet.

7. Use NASA's Starchild Space Site activities.

8. The Moon and Its Phases - Learn all about it.

While the activities build on each other it is not necessary to do them all. Teachers may choose certain parts and not others after reviewing them and their students' needs.

This Internet Activity can be part of a larger project that involves research and a report. See the lesson titled: Postcards/Brochures from Space

Links:

1. Solar System Activity - http://mountain.adams12.org/InternetCenters/SolarSystem/SOLARSYSTEMactivityMenu.html

2. MVES Internet Activity Menu Page - http://mountain.adams12.org/InternetCenters/NetCenterMenu.html

This is a menu of all the Mountain View Internet Center Activities: USA Geography for 5th grade, Colorado History for 4th grade, Weather for 3rd grade, Picture Dictionary for 2nd grade, and Research for grades 2-5

State & National Standards:

CO- Colorado Academic Standards

´ Subject : Science

´ Standard 4: Earth and Space Science: Students know and understand the processes and interactions of EarthÍs systems and the structure and dynamics of Earth and other objects in space. (Focus: Geology, Meteorology, Astronomy, Oceanography)

´ Key Idea 4.4: Students know the structure of the solar system, composition and interactions of objects in the universe, and how space is explored

´ Grade/Level : Grades K-4

Performance Indicator : describing what can be readily observed by the unaided eye in the daytime and nighttime sky (for example, the Sun, Moon, planets, stars, constellations);

Performance Indicator : describing the motion of Earth in relation to the Sun, including the concepts of day, night, and year

Performance Indicator : identifying basic components of the solar system (for example, Sun, planets, moons);

Performance Indicator : describing a space exploration event such as a manned or unmanned space mission
´ Subject : Reading and Writing

´ Standard 5: Students read to locate, select, and make use of relevant information from a variety of media, reference, and technological sources

In this age of information and technology, people need reading and information-retrieval skills that will enable them to access facts, images, and text from many sources. The sheer volume of data makes it necessary for information seekers to be able to wade through a maze of facts, figures, and images, and to identify what is useful and relevant. Knowing how to locate, evaluate, and make use of an ever-increasing amount of information demands a broader repertoire of reading strategies. This implies an expanded definition of literacy that includes reading for information in a technological age. Students need to become discerning consumers of information.

´ Grade/Level : Grades K-4

Performance Indicator : using organizational features of printed text (for example, page numbering, alphabetizing, glossaries, chapter heading, tables of contents, indexes, captions);

Performance Indicator : recognizing organizational features of electronic information (for example, pull-down menus, icons, key word searches);

Performance Indicator : using organizational features to locate media or electronic information (for example, passwords, entry menu features, pull-down menus, icons, key word searches);

Performance Indicator : taking notes, outlining, and identifying main ideas in resource materials

Performance Indicator : sorting information as it relates to a specific topic or purpose

Local Standards:

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONTINUUM

Standard #3 Telecommunications: Students use telecommunications to retrieve and exchange information which supports and enhances District 12 curriculum frameworks.

3C Uses web-browsing software to access information sources using the Internet

3C.1 Uses teacher-selected Internet sites and/or links to retrieve information for classroom assignments

3C.2 Uses search strategies to locate information

3C.3 Saves and/or prints information from the Internet

3D Develops skills in analyzing the accuracy and credibility of information from electronic resources and cites those sources appropriately

3D.1 Distinguishes among sources of information (i.e. university, commercial and government sites)

3D.2 Recognizes the difference between content and advertisements on web pages

3D.3 Cites electronic sources correctly

3D.4 Evaluates the usefulness of information obtained using electronic resources

Lesson Outcomes:

Students will become familiar with the solar system and its components. They will learn astronomical vocabulary and have experiences that enhance their understanding of the earth and the space around it.

Students will gain Internet research skills and have experiences that will aid their future use of the Internet as a source of information.

Assessment:

Much of this lesson is experiential and not meant to be evaluated in any traditional way. Teacher participation in the process is important in this lesson. The teacher should be an active "guide" while the students are exploring the web sites and activities. Modeling the behaviors of discovery and problem solving are key to a successful experience. As the lesson progresses the teacher can then evaluate, on an individual basis, who is mastering the science and the Internet skills content.

However, there are parts that may get "graded". For example, part 4 has the students answering specific questions about a planet. These answers could be evaluated for accuracy, spelling, grammar, punctuation etc.

Assessment/Rubrics:

none

CLASSROOM & TIME MANAGEMENT

Student Prerequisites:

Students need a signed district Internet Acceptable Use Policy on file.

Students should have participated in the Introduction to the Internet lesson plan.

Lesson Preparation:

Teachers may want to have assigned certain planets to individual students or student groups. This lesson may fit in as the research portion of a larger report project (see the Postcards/Brochures from Space).

Teachers should visit all linked sites from the Solar System Activity web site to ensure that they are all still working.

Time Frame:

8 class periods. 45 Min. per class.

Implementation Steps:

Full directions for each of the Solar System Activity parts are included online so none are needed here. Teachers should be familiar with those directions before leading their class into them as there may be certain details they would want to exclude or add.

Links:

Solar System Activity - http://mountain.adams12.org/InternetCenters/SolarSystem/SOLARSYSTEMactivityMenu.html

RESOURCES

Lesson Resources:

Attachments: