The Solar System

Rationale

• Having knowledge of the solar system is important because it helps us understand the Earth.
• Learning about the Solar Sytem gives us incentive to preserve and respect our natural resources.

Unit Goals

• The students will be able to understand and explain the different Moon phases.
• The students will be able to describe how energy from the sun travels to Earth.
• The students will be able to list and order the planets in order and describe some basic characteristics of each planet.
• The students will be able to identify the 5 most important factors that enable humans to survive on Earth.

Unit Concept Map

Unit Overview

• Moon Phases (Lesson 1)
• The Sun (Lesson 2)
• The Planets (Lesson 3)
• The Earth (Lesson 4)

Physical Disability Student Profile

• Student Name: Beverly
• Age: 8 years old
• Type of Physical Disability: Cerebal Palsy
• Characteristics: a physical condition caused by an abnormality of brain growth resulting in physical impairment of muscular development and control. Individuals with CP often experience weak muscles, lack of coordination slurred speech, convulsions and sometimes visual impairments.
• Accommodations: Electronic worksheets and handouts, Working with a partner to complete activities, ensuring enough room for a wheelchair.

Lesson 1

• Understanding the Phases of the Moon requires students to understand where the sun, moon, and earth are in relation to one another at any given time.
• Webquest
• VR Goggles: Allow students to explore surface of the moon.
• Interactive Bulletin Board

Lesson 2

• The students will be able to explain that plants, animals, and humans need specific resources to survive on Earth.
• The students will be able to describe how energy moves from the sun to earth.
• Sun Prints Activity

Lesson 3

• The students will be able to identify the center of the solar system.
• The students will be able to list the names and order of the planets and some basic characteristics of the planets.
• Terrestrial Planets vs. Jovian Planets
• Toilet Paper Activity

Lesson 4

• The students will be able to identify the 5 most important factors that enable humans to survive on Earth. These include the proper distance from the sun, a magnetic core, atmosphere, water, and oxygen.
• The students will demonstrate their knowledge through the cloud activity.

Unit Library

• There is no place like space by Tish Rabe - This would be an excellent introduction to the unit. Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two take a trip into space and visit the eight planets, the sun, and the moon. I believe this would create interest for the students because most chances are they would have already been exposed to Cat in the Hat and would be interested in his journey throughout space.
• What’s Out There? by Lynn Wilson - This book introduces and covers essential terms such as stars, constellations, planets, sun, seasons, and moon phases. This would be important to include in the unit library because it introduces important words that could be included on a word wall in the classroom. Additionally, it gives the students a grasp of the size of our solar system.
• How Many Planets Circle the Sun? by Mary Kay Carson - This book would be a great way to answer the student’s questions about the solar system. This book answers 15 common questions that students have about the solar system such as: How is the solar system held together? The book answers these questions with illustrations, so this book would benefit visual learners.
• The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole - When I was younger, I thoroughly enjoyed The Magic School Bus. Although this series is elementary and presents information in a cartoon style, I believe this is important to include in the unit library because children can learn a wealth of information through stories. It would also be great to compare and contrast Mrs. Frizzle's trip through outer space and the Cat in the Hat’s journey through outer space.
• Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin - I would include this book in my unit Library because it introduces children to the different moon phases. It uses illustrations to walk children through each phase of the moon cycle and explains why the moon can look different.
• Energy from the Sun by Allan Fowler - This book presents a wealth of information about the sun. This book includes actual photographs of the sun which students would be able to see in detail what the sun looks like up close. Additionally, this book explains that without the sun, life on earth would not exist because the sun provides the energy we need to survive.

Unit Technology

• Phases of the Moon (iPad App) M2Catalyst, LLC This app is a 3D simulation of the moon which informs the user of the current moon phase, distance away from the moon, the % of illumination, the rise, and the set of the moon which is updated in real time. The app allows the user to identify what the moon will be on any given day. Additionally, when the user zooms in on the moon, it shows all of the locations of the lunar landings.
• Phases of the Moon (WebQuest) https://mrscienceut.net/phasesofthemoonwebquest.html This WebQuest allows students to explore why the phases of the moon exist. Additionally, the WebQuest allows students to see where the sun, earth, and moon are in relation to one another. In completing the WebQuest, student will have a better understanding of the moon phases and be able to identify what moon phase we are currently in as well as the moon phases on a given date.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCweccNOaqo (Video) Kids Educational Games – KIDS EDUC This is a video which explains the different names for the moon when it looks different and explains why the moon looks different from night to night. It explains the importance of the Sun and Earth and why this affects how the moon looks differently.
• https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/22623876256 (Website) The Kids Should See This This resource uses an animation to illustrate where the sun, moon, and earth are which cause the moon to have different phases. The animation can be started and stopped so students are able to see where the sun, moon, and earth are positioned. Also illustrated on the animation is the phase of the moon which is a result of the current position of the sun and Earth. This allows students to see more clearly how the moon phases cycle each month.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1guaZfmb3cE (4K VR Experience) Speaking of Science This is a 4K Virtual Reality Video which will allow students to become more familiar with the surface of the moon. Students could use VR Goggles to better experience the moon’s surface and actually “experience” the moon rather than looking at 2D photos. This will create an experience for students to investigate the similarities and differences between the Moon’s surface and the Earth’s surface. Students will be able to compare and contrast. **This can be used with Google Cardboard VR Glasses**

Unit Bulletin Board

Assessment Tools

• Lesson 1: Formative Evaluation -“K” and “W” sections of the KWL chart provided to the students at the beginning of the lesson. -Answers to oral questions during the WebQuest Summative Evaluation “L” section of the KWL chart. Collected as an exit ticket at the end of the lesson. Web-Quest Packets Beverly, a student with CP will be able to complete the KWL Chart electronically, which will allow her to answer more easily. The Web Quest, well also be uploaded electronically for Beverly to type the answers rather than write.
• Lesson 2: Formative Evaluation -Journal responses to science journal questions. -Answers to oral questions in anticipatory set. Summative Evaluation -Oral explanations of the path energy travels from the sun, to plants, then to animals, then to humans. Sun Prints Beverly, a student with CP will be able to complete the Journal Response electronically, which will allow her to answer more easily. Beverly will work with a partner to collect items to create sun-prints.
• Lesson 3: Formative Evaluation -Journal responses to science journal questions -Answers to oral questions in anticipatory set. Summative Evaluation -Oral responses to questions in the closure/summary. Visual observation of correct layout distance between planets layout. (Toilet Paper Activity). Beverly, a student with CP will be able to complete the Journal Response electronically, which will allow her to answer more easily. Beverly will work with a partner to complete the distance between the planet’s activity.
• Lesson 4: Formative Evaluation -Journal responses to science journal questions -Answers to oral questions in anticipatory set. Summative Evaluation -Oral responses to questions in the closure/summary. -Cloud in a jar activity. Beverly, a student with CP will be able to complete the Journal Response electronically, which will allow her to answer more easily. Beverly will work with a partner to complete the cloud in a jar activity.