Date: December 8, 2011 Objectives and Purposes: Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Science objective: C.4.

5 Use data they have collected to develop explanations and answer questions generated by investigations C.4.7 Support their conclusions with logical arguments E.4.4 Identify celestial objects (stars, sun, moon, planets) in the sky, noting changes in patterns of those objects over time My focused objective for 3rd grade: Students will understand the differences between each of the planets and will be able to explain why there is life on Earth. Purpose of this lesson: Students will be able to explain what a lunar eclipse is and how the moon changes color during a lunar eclipse. Students will be able to find multiple online resources about astronomy and the solar system. Materials: Computers (email that has all the web addresses) Notecards to create postcards Crayons Postcards from Pluto: A Tour of the Solar System by Loren Leedy

Introduction to the Lesson Teacher: Review what was talked about on Tuesday Ask students what they wrote for their planet vacation discuss what they thought they would need to bring (there will be an internet activity they will see later) Students: Remember what was discussed Tuesday Share what they wrote for their planet vacation worksheet

Activities of the Lesson Teacher: Read Postcards from Pluto and discuss what they learned. Ask if students know what a lunar eclipse is o Explain orbit, rotation and the moon cycles. o Create moon calendar Students: Listen while I read Ask questions about the lunar eclipse and give information about what they can connect from what they learned about orbit, rotation and the moon cycles. Display correct internet etiquette and learn how to use sites for research and simulation o Learn its just as important to know where to find the information instead of just memorizing what the teacher gives them

Explain lunar eclipse happening Saturday, December 10, 2011 Go to computer lab to look at the different resources o Preparing for a space launch o Lunar eclipse demonstration o Compare the size of planets

Summary and Conclusion Teacher: Return to the classroom and have students complete their assessment activity (see below) Students: Complete their postcards, share with class and put in the mail to be sent

Assessment: Students will write create a postcard while they are on their planet vacation or they can write a postcard to someone telling them to watch the lunar eclipse on Saturday (explaining what a lunar eclipse is). This postcard activity can also be used as a quiz for class; earning points on how many facts or information they included. Students can send their postcard to their parents to get them more involved with what their child is learning in class. If they return the postcard with their parents signature they can receive extra credit. Criteria for a good journal entry: 1. Students need to write in complete sentences. 2. Students need include three facts either from their planet or about the lunar eclipse. 3. Students need to draw a picture on the front side of their post card of their topic 4. Students need to correctly address their postcard they wish to send.

Einstein Lesson Solar System Grade 3 Date: December 6, 2011 Objectives and Purposes: Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Science objective: C.4.5 Use data they have collected to develop explanations and answer questions generated by investigations C.4.7 Support their conclusions with logical arguments E.4.4 Identify celestial objects (stars, sun, moon, planets) in the sky, noting changes in patterns of those objects over time My focused objective for 3rd grade: Students will understand the differences between each of the planets and will be able to explain why there is life on Earth. Purpose of this lesson: Students will be able to use the information they have gathered throughout the lesson to be able to make a packing list for each of the planets if they were able to visit them. Materials: The Planets in Our Solar System by Franklin M. Branley Students Solar System Journals Solar System Awareness Page Solar System Cheat Sheet Packing for a Planet Vacation Worksheet Pictures of all the planets Scissors Crayons Ruler to measure distance

Introduction to the Lesson Teacher: Introduce the topic, Solar System Ask students what they think the word solar means o Solar panels, solar energy o Means sun o What do you think solar system means? o Solar system is the name given to the sun and the objects in space that travel around it Create a KWL chart with the students help Students: Reflect on information they know about the Solar System and have them think of questions they have

Activities of the Lesson Teacher: Read The Planets in Our Solar System by Franklin M. Branley Students: Listen while I read Assist creating the distance scale

Compare and contrast the planets (look at their Solar System Cheat Sheet in their journals) Color planets and create distance scale Discuss what they think about the planets and the distance they are from the sun, can we see them? Revisit their cheat sheet and discuss

Come up with questions about planets/distance Participate in classroom discussion Write in their journals

Summary and Conclusion Teacher: Implement assessment activity (see below) Ask students to go home and think about if they believe there is life on other planets. Students: Complete their Planet Packing List worksheet in their journal

Assessment: Students will write in their Solar System Journal about a planet they would like to visit. They are to record what planet, why, what they would pack for their vacation and to illustrate a few of the items they wish to pack. Criteria for a good journal entry: 5. Students need to write in complete sentences and planets name spelled correctly. 6. Students need to write at least three sentences on why they chose the planet they did. 7. Students need to have at least five items on their packing list and will be able to defend those ideas.