The Solar System

4th Grade

By Kelly Haran

Phase I: Relative Advantage

• I would like my students to be able to take a trip to the solar system. By using the Internet, students will be able to view the solar system through interactive games, videos, and pictures.

• The Internet is a wonderful source for students to gather information on topics that cannot be explored in the classroom. Students are able to go to space without leaving the classroom.

• The websites in which I use for this topic are all available online and are credible sources.

Phase II: Objectives and Assessment

• Objective: Students will be able to access websites that contribute to the learning process. Students will learn the skills that they need to navigate these websites.

• Students will understand the difference between credible sources and unreliable sources.

• Students will learn about the different planets that make up the solar system.

• Students will play interactive games and research the different aspects that space involves such as space shuttles and astronauts.

• Students will participate in a webquest.

• I will assess these outcomes by use of a rubric that will be given to the students before the start of the project.

Phase III: Integration Strategies

• Instructional method: Student directed

• We will begin our solar system project by looking at a website that displays the names of all the planets in the solar system. Above each name is a picture of the planet. You are also able to click on the pictures to find out more information about that planet.

• We will then look at the video, A Voyage Through the Universe.

• I will then introduce the webquest project.

• I will model how to search the internet for credible sources. I will also provide students with a list of websites that will assist them in this project.

Phase IV: Instructional Environment

• In order to participate in the web project each student will need access to a computer and printer. Students will be given time during both library and computer to work on these solar system projects.

•This web-based unit on the solar system will take two weeks to complete.

Phase IV Web resources for students

•NASA for kids•Kids astronomy •Solar System•Yahoo Kids•Space Jr.

Phase V: Evaluate Integration Strategies

• I believe students will be very excited about this project. Students love when we integrate technology into our lessons. I also believe there will be a high participation rate in this unit.

• The solar system is something that students cannot see for themselves. Students must rely on the information they find.