Lesson Plan Title:

My Favorite Planet

Concept Area:
Solar system, planets and moons

Grade Level:
5

Standards Addressed:
Science Content Standards for California Public Schools Earth Sciences 5. The solar system consists of planets and other bodies that orbit the Sun in predictable paths. As a basis for understanding this concept: a. Students know the Sun, an average star, is the central and largest body in the solar system and is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. b. Students know the solar system includes the planet Earth, the Moon, the Sun, eight other planets and their satellites, and smaller objects, such as asteroids and comets. c. Students know the path of a planet around the Sun is due to the gravitational attraction between the Sun and the planet.

Goal:
Introduce students to planetary research and familiarize them with the planets and their features.

Key Question:
1. What are the characteristics of the planets and moons in our solar system?

Key Concepts:
1. Each planet has unique and identifiable features. 2. Planets have some common features.

Learning Objectives:
1. Students will be able to recognize each planet or moon by its unique and identifiable features. 2. Students will create a digital presentation about one of the planets in the solar system consisting of at least five facts.

Time Requirements:
1. Total class time required: approx 4 class periods (approx 60 minutes each). 2. Total preparation time for the teacher: 1 hour.

Required Materials:
1. Computer with an Internet Connection 2. My Favorite Planet Digital Presentation Instructions

Technology Resources:
3. Animoto account Animoto turns photos, video clips and music into video presentations. (http://animoto.com/ ) 4. Glogster account Glogster incorporates text, video, images and music and creates online poster presentations. (http://www.glogster.com/ ) 5. Google Site (https://www.google.com/ ) 6. Google Images (http://images.google.com/ ) 7. Astronomy Resources on Delicious (http://www.delicious.com/maryebennett/Astronomy) 8. Kaywa QR Code Generator (http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ )

Step-By-Step Procedures:
Day 1: Introduction 1. Students will participate in a class discussion about the unit they have completed about the solar system. As a class they will discuss the characteristics of planets and

2. 3. 4. 5.

moons, their movement, and the history and exploration surrounding planetary research. Students will select one planet in the Solar System that they want to further research. Students will be introduced to Glogster and Animoto, the digital presentation tools they can use to create their presentation. Students will be introduced to Kaywa for generating QR codes and NeoReader for scanning QR Codes on smart phones. Students will create accounts for each of these tools.

Day 2: Collecting Research 1. Students will work independently on their computer researching their selected planet. Students will use Google Images and the Astronomy Resources on the class Delicious site. Students will be required to collect research from at least 3 sources. 2. Students will collect at least five facts about their planet and record their information in their journal on Google Sites. 3. Students will collect at least 3 images Google Images to include in their presentation and write captions. All images must be in compliance with copyright laws. This information will be recorded in their journal on Google Sites. Day 3: Digital Presentation Creation 1. Students login to the digital presentation site they have selected, either Animoto or Glogster. 2. Students create the presentation using the research they have collected. 3. Students create a QR Code so that presentations can easily be shared. Day 4: Class Presentations 1. Students showcase their presentations to the students in their class and through QR Codes with their parents.

Meeting Individual Needs:

1. ELL students will be provided with a partner to work with who will assist in reading the research. 2. Accommodations will be made for students with special needs through the use of one on one instructional aides and assistive technologies if needed.

Assessment:
Presentation will be assessed based on the following rubric: Rubric for Evaluating My Favorite Planet Digital Presentation Assignment Category Journals 1 Journal entries are missing or disjointed and research is from less than 3 sources. Presentation included less than 5 facts about the selected planet. Less than 3 captioned images are included. Information came from less than three sources. Information is not clearly written or inaccurate. Presentation is not easily accessed through the link and the QR Code. 2 Journal entries reflect research from at least 3 sources. 3 Journal entries reflect comprehensive and thorough research from 3 or more sources. Presentation includes 5 or more accurate facts about the selected planet. Points

Presentation

Presentation includes 5 facts about the selected planet.

At least 3 captioned images are included and 3 or more appropriate are all in compliance captioned images are with copyright laws. included and are all in compliance with Information came from copyright laws. three sources. Information came All information is from three or more accurate. different sources. Presentation is easily accessed through the link and the QR Code. All information is clearly written, accurate and informative. Presentation is easily accessed through the link and the QR Code. 3 or fewer mistakes in spelling or grammar. No mistakes in spelling or grammar.

Spelling and Grammar

More than 3 mistakes in spelling and grammar.