Topic: The Solar System

Grade Levels: 3rd & 5th

Overview:
· The unit will provide students with an opportunity to explore the complexities of our solar system and the Earth as part of this ever-changing system. The unit is primarily designed for third grade classrooms, but the focus can be adapted for other grade levels that have a related component. The plan is fully integrated and incorporates strong library, classroom and technology collaboration. The unit will satisfy TEKS/TAKS objectives and NISD science and language arts standards.

· Preparation for this unit will be done during scheduled group meetings, email and independent assignments reflecting the expertise and experience of group members. Group members will research and gather resources that are available on campus, within the district, in the community and online. Prior to presenting the lesson to students, teachers and librarian will become thoroughly familiar with the curriculum objectives and will produce a detailed plan that will be sequenced following the Big Six research method.

Time Line
Unit Focus/Kickoff - October 7, 2002
Library Large Group - October 8-18, 2002
Library Small Groups - October 21 - November 8, 2002
Classroom and Computer Lab Activities - October 21 - November 8, 2002
Culminating Activity - before Thanksgiving, 2002

Space Day - Galm is Out of This World - invite parents and guests
Presentations could be part of a third grade combined tech and library night.
Note: Alternative dates can be scheduled in May to coincide with National Space Day.

Subject
Science and Language Arts

Learning Objectives ( based on NISD Standards and TEKS/TAKS Objectives)

Language Arts Standards
NISD (III-E.F.G.H, VIII)
TEKS/TAKS (LA 3.12, 3.20)
Students will be able to:
· Summarize topics, main ideas, and supporting details
· Recognize distinguishing characteristics of literary genre.
· Respond to text in a variety of ways to develop literary and content awareness.
· Follow all conventions of writing (V)
· Choose and use an appropriate form of writing for an identified purpose (VI,B)
· Use the Writing Process
· Analyze materials by using critical thinking skills to compare/contrast, determine cause/effect, draw conclusions, make inferences, sequence details.

Science Standards : Third Grade: Inner and Outer Planets
NISD Standards (III)
TEKS/TAKS (SCI.CON 3.11)
· Students will be able to:
· Identify/explain characteristics of the sun
· List characteristics (size, distance from sun, make-up)
· Define Orbits (to include rotation and revolution
· Give reasons for Night/Day
· Explain Sequence of planets

Technology TEKS (126.3): Technology Applications, Grades 3-5
Students will be able to:
· Demonstrate knowledge and appropriate use of hardware components, software programs, and their connections
· Use data input skills appropriate to the task
· Comply with the laws and examines the issues regarding the use of technology in society
· Use a variety of strategies to acquire information from electronic resources, with appropriate supervision
· Acquire electronic information in a variety of formats, with appropriate supervision
· Evaluate the acquired electronic information
· Use appropriate computer-based productivity tools to create and modify solutions to problems
· Use research skills and electronic communication, with appropriate supervision, to create new knowledge
· Use technology applications to facilitate evaluation of work, both process and product
· Format digital information for appropriate and effective communication
· Deliver the product electronically in a variety of media, with appropriate supervision
· Use technology applications to facilitate evaluation of communication, both process and product

Procedures and Related Resources

Introductory phase
1. KWL Chart (VIII A)
2. Questions for research to be developed by students with teacher guidance.
3. Scavenger Hunt
4. Literature connection

Research phase
A. Print resources (books, encyclopedias, periodicals/magazines, newspapers)

B. AV resources (films)
Video (See Bibliography)
Software used in preparation and/or implementation of the lesson
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint
Timeline

C. Electronic Resources
1. WebCat
2. Yahooligans
3. Space for Kids
4. Resources on the Web (See Appendix)
5. Gale Group
6. Other Links found and book marked by teacher

D. Human resources
1. Librarian
Big 6 Instruction
Research Skills
Note-Taking Lessons (VIII-B)
Suggested Areas of Research
· Moon (make-ups, Landings)
· Meteors
· Asteroids
· Stars/Constellations
· Space Travel
· Life in Space (space station)
· Eclipses
2. Classroom Teachers
Information Problem Approach
Suggested Activities
· Plays
· Design and send postcards/letters from different planets
· Create a dictionary of related terms
· Create fact cards
· Create game boards
3. CIT
· Resources on the Web
· Technical Assistance in Planning and Implementation Phase
· Hands on Activities for Students in the Culmination Phase
4. Speakers
· Barry Hiddema- San Antonio Astronomical Association (after 6 pm)
· Linda Kennedy at NASA will book an astronaut for your campus 713-244-8860.
· Scobee Challenger Center Brooks AFB- Jody Harkrider 534-8398

Organizational/display phase
1. Digital Camera to photograph projects for website journal
2. Graphic Organizers
3. Power Point

Culmination phase

Suggested hands-on activities that students may choose to do to bring closure to the lesson. Students may suggest other activities to bring closure.
[ ] Power Point Slide Show
[ ] Brochure
[ ] 3-D Figures/Reports
[ ] Posters
[ ] Different styles of books
[ ] Timelines

Real-world actions that students can take to follow through on learned concepts (For example, display art-based projects, perform, write letters, create bulletin boards, make oral presentation…

· Classroom/Library Presentations on grade level
· Classroom / library presentations between grade levels- school wide
· Science Fair Presentations and parent presentation: such as " Galm is Out of this World Day"
· Classroom journal of project phases for Website

Rubrics
Rubric for final product - SeeProject Rubric.xls example for planet research. Teachers and/or students can develop similar rubrics for other topics during the introductory phase of their research project.

Rubric for presentation - See Presentation Rubric.xls

Appendix
· Additional activities
· Bibliographies
· Websites