Learning+Center


 * A. Center Information **

 1. Andrew Snyder  2. Title: The Planets  3. Grade Level: 4th  4. Content Area: Science, Social Studies, Math, and Art  5. Type of Centers: Exploratory, Enrichment  6. Organization of Centers: Rotational, Fixed  7. Number of Centers: 4  8. Time Needed: First 2 Centers 20 minutes each (40 minutes total)  Last 2 Centers will take few days


 * B. Learning Objectives **

 1. The students will know the names of all the planets in our solar system.  2. The students will know all the planet names in order.  3. The students will learn that Pluto is now classified as a Dwarf Planet  4. The students will create a diorama of our solar system using all of the information they have learned, showing the correct order of the planets.


 * C. Materials **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Computers, Cutouts of Planets, Folders, Shoe boxes, Foam balls (different sizes), fishing line, markers


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">D. Center Activity Description **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Center 1: Order of the Planets
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 5-6 students
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Each student will take a folder with cutouts of all 9 planets
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The students will practice putting the planets in the correct order starting with the closest to the sun.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The students can check their answers with the numbers on the back of the cards.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Center 2: Interactive Planet Website
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5-6 students
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The students will go to [|http://www.kidsastronomy.com] and []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The students will explore the websites learning about all the planets

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Center 3: Planet Research
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Each student will be given a planet to research. (Depending on the class size about 2 students per planet)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students will find facts and information and fill out their Planet Sheet.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The students will be able to use classroom resources and any information they found on the website they visited. Once students are finished they will share their information about their planet with the class.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Center 4: Planet Diorama
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The students will take all the information they have learned about the planets and make a shoebox diorama.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students will need 1 shoebox.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The students can decorate the inside of the shoebox to make it look like outer space.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The students will take the foam balls that are provided and arrange them in the correct order (size of planets). The teacher will check this when the students are complete.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">After all the planets are in the correct order, the students will color each planet the correct color with markers.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Once all the planets are colored the students will then hang the planets from the side of the shoebox in the correct order.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">E. Assessment **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 1. Students will be graded on the accuracy of their fact sheet and their oral presentation. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 2. Students will also be graded on the accuracy and neatness of their diorama. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 3. Students will be given a planet quiz. (correct order) *Spelling*


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">F. Handouts, worksheets if any **

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 24px;">My Planet Fact Sheet //

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Planet Name______________________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How long does it take to orbit the sun 1 time?_______________________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How long does it take to complete 1 rotation on its axis?_______________________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">What is the distance from the sun?________________________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How many moons?_______________________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">What is the average temperature?___________________________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Interesting fact about your planet? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 24px;">Planet Quiz //
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Write the names of the planets starting with the closest to the Sun. (Spelling counts) **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">SUN

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">1.____________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">2.____________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">3.____________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">4.____________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5.____________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">6.____________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">7.____________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">8.____________________

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">9.____________________*

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">*Denotes Dwarf Planet