Positioning the Planets in Space
by Julie Macarthy, julie.macarthy@cpsb.org

Content Area(s)
Science

Grade Level(s)
8, 

Overview
The students will research specific planets and their properties and present information to the their classmates.

Software
Technology Tools and Materials:
Hardware:
1. Computers
2. Palms/handheld
3. Chargers/HotSynch Cable

Technology
Software:
KWL Chart
Inspiration
World's Almanac for Kids '04
Sketchy
FlingIt
Notepad
Documents to Go
Websites:•Views of the Solar System www.solarviews.com/eng/homepage.htm
Variety of materials for construction of planet model (Styrofoam, paper mache, glue, construction paper, wire, pipe cleaners, wood, etc.)

Objectives
The students’ will:
1. Research a specific planet to present to the class.
2. Investigate the solar system using the palm. 3. Construct a small-scale model of a planet.
4. Complete a small PalmQuest.
5. Brainstorm ideas on the solar system and what it consists of.

Procedures
Lesson Procedures:
In this lesson, assume the students are familiar with Palms and the program applications downloaded in them.

Day 1
1. The teacher will introduce the students to the solar system. Using the KWL program on the Palm, the students will write what they know what they want to know and return back to the program to write what they learned.
2. In the Sketchy program, have the students draw their interpretation of the solar system or a specific planet. Have the students look over their drawing, add anything that they could add to the know section from their drawing.
3. Using DataViewer, WA '04 Kids. Go to Science and Tech and select Space. Provide the students with a small PalmQuest on the Solar System. The students will answer in the Notepad program.-In space, what planet is 5,000 light years away?-How many times larger in diameter is the Sun than Earth?-What is the surface temperature of the Sun?-What are orbits?-What is a revolution?-Do planets farther away from the Sun take longer or shorter to revolve around the Sun than Earth?-What sentence will help you remember the names of the planets in order of their usual distance from the Sun?
4.To determine which planet you will be assigned the students will go to More Planet Facts. Specific Palms will be program with a specific fact about each planet. When the students complete their questions, there last question will guide them to the planet they will be in charge of. For example, the planet with the longest day. At the bottom of the notepad document, the students will write, " I am researching _(planet name)_. The students will beam and print their assignments.

Day 2-3
1. Instruct students to open the Inspiration program. Use their planet as the focal point. Have the students’ think of as many different aspects of the planets as they can. Then branch off of these facts if possible. This will give some of the students’ direction for when they start to research.
2. To scratch the surface of their planets, the students will return back to the WA '04 Kids Science and Tech Space database. The students will gather as much information as possible. And take notes in Notepad. Emphasize to the students to bring out main facts, such as orbits, the Sun's effect on the planets, distance, temp, rotation, etc. Tell the students that they will need to discuss at least 5 main aspects of the planet.
3. The students will also visit the DataViewer, but instead of WA '04, the students will scroll to the Astronomy guide. In the Astronomy guide, the students should select their specific planet to gather information on and add this to their notes.
4. Using FlingIt, Download specific sections of the website mentioned above to the Palm that has the specified planet. The students can refer to this site to gather more information.

Day 3
1. After the students have gathered information, they must use the information, descriptions and photograph to create a small-scale model of their planets.
2. The students can use any materials necessary to create their model. Provide the students with examples and a rubric for guidance. Note: You may allow the students to bring their materials to class to work on or give the students their rubric and work on it at home. Assign this as soon as possible, giving the students about 2 or 3 days for construction.

Day 4-5
1. Students will present research on planet and the structure of their planets. 2. After all presentations, discuss how technological advance assists in better understanding the solar system.

Assessment Procedures:The students will be assessed from the two rubrics for building their structure, oral presentation, the PalmQuest, and research information.

Accommodations/Modifications:Students who are not comfortable with using the Palm can use paper and pencil to conduct their research. Students will be given oral and visual instructions repeatedly. Teacher or peers when necessary will assist the self-contained and/or learning-disabled students. Assignments can be modified. ----- written by Julie Macarthy

Explorations and Extensions:
Because students will be doing multiple presentations on the same planets in each class, you could have the students choose the best of each planet out of all the classes or have other teachers or administrators choose the top 3 picks of each planets from all classes. The students could be rewarded and motivated for their efforts in creating their model planet.

The class can create a small-scale solar system from the models that students create.

The students can investigate or write a paragraph of what life would be life on their planet vs. any other planet based on the research.

Invite an astrologist to speak to the class after all the presentations.

Other Supporting Material
· Building%20A%20Structure%20Rubric%20
· Oral%20Presentation%20Rubric%20
· Solar%20System%20Mini%20PalmQuest

Submitted on: 11/29/2004 11:45:28 PM