Cycles on Earth and in Space:Planets
OmniGlobe Unit Lesson Plan
Grade / Class / Subject: Elementary 3rd grade
Lesson Time: (4 -5 times) ~45 minutes
Unit / Theme: Cycles on Earth and in Space
2010 Colorado State Standards:
· Earth Science Grade 3- standard #3
Essential Question: How does earth compare to other objects orbiting the sun?
Content Objective(s):
· The students will be able to list the names of the 8 planets and at least 1 key fact about each planet and compare it to Earth.
· The students will be able to put the planets in order from closest to the Sun to the furthest from the Sun.
· The students will be able to model the basic movement of the planets around the Sun.
Language Objective(s):
· The students will be able to write the names of the 8 planets in proper order starting closest to the Sun and write at least 1 interesting fact about each planet.
· The students will be able to explain in sentences using key vocabulary words how the planets move around the Sun.
Key Vocabulary:
· Revolution
· Rotation
· Orbit
Critical Thinking Strategies:
· Background Knowledge (Schema)
· Visualizing
· Synthesizing
Resources:
· Student book, Cycles on Earth and in Space
· Reading level appropriate books on the planets, from the science kit.
Extensions / Variations:
· Math - Calculate your weight on the planets.
· Literacy-Create student books of planet information
Lesson Delivery:
· Students will work in a small group to become an expert on one planet, moon or sun.
· Each small group will present the facts they have researched to present to the class as that planet is featured on the omniglobe.
· Hand out Cycles on Earth and in Space student books.
· Students will use planet pages to record facts about the planet they have researched to create books of planets.
· The class will use facts researched by classmates to record at least 5 facts about each planet.
· Students will draw a picture of each planet on the page with facts about that planet.
· Have a variety of books and resources available for students to do research.
Pre-lesson:
· To gain student interest, show the omniglobe images of planets.
· Read out loud as a class information about the earth, sun, moon and planets in student books, Cycles on Earth and in Space.
· Question: How does earth compare to other planets that revolve around the sun?
· Chart the “inference” responses of the class.
· After each response: Question: Why did you make that inference? or What made you have that inference?
· Chart the “why” responses.
Work Time:
· Have each group research about the planet and fill in the planet research paper.
· Each group will present information about their planet while it is shown on the Omniglobe.
Presentations:
· Have groups present about their planet.
· Address class inferences about the planets and if they were correct explaining why or why not.
· Address how your planet is similar and different to Earth
· During presentations chart planet information as a class compilation.
· Each student will add information shared to their planet book.
Assessment or extension:
· Completed drawings and information about planets including at least 5 facts about each planet in the planet book.
· Students will include key vocabulary, and describe how the planets move around the sun.
· Create a mobile of the solar system.
My Book About Planets
Student______
Planet Fact Cards: Use these cards to record your research findings about your planet.
Planet Name:______Planet Fact: ______
______/ Planet Name:______
Planet Fact: ______
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Planet Fact Cards:
Planet Name:______Planet Fact: ______
______/ Planet Name:______
Planet Fact: ______
______
Planet Name:______
Planet Fact: ______
______/ Planet Name:______
Planet Fact: ______
______
Planet Name:______
Planet Fact: ______
______/ Planet Name:______
Planet Fact: ______
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Planet Fact Cards:
Planet Name:______Planet Fact: ______
______/ Planet Name:______
Planet Fact: ______
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Planet Research
Planet name ______
Draw a picture of the planet.
Using your fact cards, write at least 5 sentences describing the planet, where the planet name came from, what it looks like and how far it is from the sun. Does the planet have rings?
______
Comparing My Planet
Earth / My PlanetName: ______
Order from the Sun / 3 / Order from the Sun
Diameter- Length across / 7,926 miles / Diameter- Length across
Length of day / 24 hours / Length of day
Length of year / 365 days / Length of year
Number of moons / 1 / Number of moons
Average Temperature / 59 Degrees Fahrenheit / Average Temperature
Type: Terrestrial or Gas / Terrestrial / Type: Terrestrial or Gas
Classification: Inner or Outer / Inner Planet / Classification: Inner or Outer
Other possible notable features / Other possible notable features
Rings / No / Rings
Tilt / ~23 1/3 degrees / Tilt
Rotation / Counterclockwise / Rotation
Color / Blue / Color
Other: Spots/ Storms/ Volcanoes/ Valleys/ Atmosphere/ Etc / Definite surface with volcanoes, valleys. Has an atmosphere with weather/ storms. / Other: Spots/ Storms/ Volcanoes/ Valleys/ Atmosphere/ Etc
Example of Planet Comparisons
Planet Name / Order from the Sun / Classification:Inner or Outer planet / Type: Terrestrial or Gas / Other facts
Example of Planet Comparisons (Filled)
Name / Order from the Sun / Where did the name come from? / Planet Nickname / Other factsMercury / 1 / Roman Messenger of the gods / The swift planet
Venus / 2 / Roman Goddess of love and beauty / Earth’s sister
Earth / 3 / The Old English word for ground or soil. / The blue planet
Mars / 4 / Roman god of war / The red planet
Jupiter / 5 / King of the Roman gods / None
or the gas planet
Saturn / 6 / Roman god of agriculture / None or the ringed planet
Uranus / 7 / Greek god of the sky / None or the tilted planet
Neptune / 8 / Roman god of the sea / None or the blue giant
Created by: Andrew Kaufman – OmniGlobe TOSA Thompson R2J School District, Spring 2010
Calculating Your Weight on Earth and the Moon
Your 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!
*Bonus: 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 ______
OmniGlobe - Solar System Mobile Instructions
Materials:
· 1 stick
· 10 – Pieces of fishing line about 8- 10 inches long
· Planet and sun pictures printed on cardstock
Procedures:
Step 1: Cut out the 8 planets and the sun, label them.
Step 2: Put a small hole in the top of each planet cutout.
Step 3: Cut out the 8 planets and the sun, label them.
Step 4: Hang planets in order from the sun on the stick using fishing line.
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Created by: Andrew Kaufman – OmniGlobe TOSA Thompson R2J School District