Our Solar System

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SUBJECT AREA Science – Solar System GRADE LEVEL 3
ESSENTIAL QUESTION CURRICULAR OUTCOME(S)
LESSON GOAL Students gain a basic
understanding of the solar system, the
different planets within it and their location.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS NEEDED
About the Planets worksheet
Books about planets from library
Colored pencils
Make a planet worksheet
Solar System Diagram small & large
Planet acronym worksheet
Centers – books, websites, infographic sheets

METHOD In the introduction I am allowing for student

discussion, prior knowledge receival, physical
Anticipatory set: movement and student involvement. By
-Have Solar System Diagram on the board, showing them what the solar system looks like
have handouts of the same diagram for in real life, it is providing means of engagement
students that would prefer a closer look through recruiting students interests; along
-Ask students to discuss with one another with the way the diagram is displayed to
if they know what is on the board and students (Do you know what this is? Do you
come up with a table wide agreement know what they are all called? Etc.) having the
-Ask tables for their ideas of what is on the diagram on the board and on handouts provides
board and record them on board as well representation and perception options for
-Tell students that it is the solar system students. Asking students to discuss in table
-Ask students to come up and label the groups and then coming up to the board if they
planets if they know them wish is providing expression and
-Tell students that we are going to learn all communication options. As well, having
about them students move to come and write on the board
is providing physical movement; both of these
Introduce and model new knowledge: last options are means of action and expression.
-Ask students if they know what an
acronym is – allow the tables some time to Explaining and discussing as a class what an
discuss and then ask each table for an acronym is and giving students a handout for
answer reference to the planet acronym is providing
-Explain what an acronym is and give different means of representation; perception,
students examples differentiation of language and symbols and
-Come up with an acronym as a class for offering future comprehension options.
something the students choose Explaining and discussing the acronym offers
-Explain to students that there is an options of expression and communication
acronym for the planets “My Very through multimedia and building fluencies.
Energetic Mother Just Served Us Nachos”
-Give students a handout with the Through the finding information for the About
acronym and planet names on it the Planets worksheet activity provides multiple
-go through the acronym, naming the means of representation fully, covering a
planets for each word and showing majority of the checkpoints through all the
students a picture of it to connect with the different ways of delivering information.
name Allowing students to choose if they want a
group or a partner or none provides options for
Provide guided practice: recruiting interest. This then helps to sustain
-allow students to work alone, in pairs or in effort and self-regulation throughout the
a group to complete this activity activity, as they are completing it the way they
-students will complete a worksheet about prefer. Movement around the classroom
the planets by going to different areas of provides options for physical action.
the classroom to learn more about each
one (center type situation, but students During the independent practice students get to
can free flow around, one per planet with move through centers in the class, which
picture, name and basic info like rings) provides physical action. The centers provide
-students will travel from planet to planet options for perception, language and symbols
filling in their About the Planets worksheet and comprehension by providing information in
-collect for grading many a multiple-ways. Centers and group work
can also encourage recruiting interest within
Provide independent practice: students.
-set up centers for students to circulate
through
-centers: color a planet, read a book about
planets, make a planet worksheet, online
planet game
-allow students time in each center

WRAP UP: Wrap-up the centers activity by giving each student a recipe card and asking them
to write out one thing they learnt today about planets that they did not know before as an
exit slip
ASSESSMENT:
-Formative: Pre-Assessment of how much students know about planets during the
introductory period of lesson. Observing, discussing and interacting with students throughout
the centers and review of completed center activities. Review of students exit card of what
they learnt in this lesson.
-Summative: About the Planets worksheet. Students should have been able to find all the
information necessary in the centers.