Introduction: You are an alien living on Pluto; due to its recent loss of planet status you and your people are in search of a real planet to live on. Throughout this project you will be researching a planet in the Solar System to decide if you and your people would like to settle on it. After you have completed you research you will share you findings with your friends and family to decide which planet will become your new home.
Task: You and your team will need to complete the following tasks so you can find a new home. *Your team will research the Internet and books to find information on your planet. * Use the Planet questions to guide your research on your planet. Record all finding in your space log. * Create a poster to persuade other aliens to want to move to the planet you researched. * Give an oral presentation detailing the top ten reasons to move to your planet. Work together with your team to share your poster, 10 ten list and try to convince the other aliens from Pluto that it would be the best location to settle on. Process: Step 1- Choose a planet 1. See your planet leader (teacher) for a group assignment. 2. Choose a planet. 3. Let your planet leader know what planet you will be researching so all planets can be explored by our people. Step 2- Research your planet 1. Review planet questions to understand what information you will need to find during your exploration.
PLANET QUESTIONS: 1. How far is your planet from the sun? 2. What is the average temperature on your planet? 3. What is the size of your planet? 4. What natural resources can be found on your planet? (Examples: water, air, food, etc) 5. How long does it take your planet to revolve around the sun (in Earth years)? 6. How long does a day last on your planet? (rotation) 7. What does the surface of your planet look like? 8. Does your planet have any special features? (Example: moons, rings, etc) 2. Begin researching your planet by clicking on a links below or going to the resources section to find the links to planet information. http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/special/planets.htm http://www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/planets.html http://kids.nineplanets.org/intro.htm http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/psgk3e x.htm
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/starchild/solar_system_leve l1/planets.html 3. Choose one of websites and search carefully for the answers to your questions. Don t forget you want to be sure you are finding correct information about your planet to share with your friends and family. They might be mad if you tell them false information. 4. Continue looking at all of the websites until you have all the information you need. Don t forget to record the answers to all the questions in your space log. Your leader my request to see the log at any time for accuracy and dedication to finding a new home. Step 3: Create Planet Poster 1. Go to the space supply store to get materials to create a poster. 2. Design a rough copy of your poster. Be sure to include s and information that will convince others they would like to live on the planet you researched. Be sure to include at least 3 facts and a 1 on your poster. 3. Create the final copy of your poster. Be sure it is neat and colorful. Remember you are trying to convince others to come to your planet. Step 4: Prepare for the planet meeting 1. Work with your team to decide what the top ten reasons to move to your planet would be. 2. Record them in your space log (journal). 3. Determine who will be the speakers for your group during the planet meeting.
4. Practice your presentation to be sure you have enough information to convince the other aliens from Pluto to vote for your planet. Step 5: The Meeting * Present your poster and top ten list to your fellow aliens. Step 6: Completing your mission * Leave your poster, journals and top ten list with your planet leader for further review. Be sure to put your names on each assignment so your team gets credit for your hard work. Resources: http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/special/planets.htm http://www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/planets.html http://kids.nineplanets.org/intro.htm http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/psgk3e x.htm http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/starchild/solar_system_leve l1/planets.html
Evaluation: Beginning Developing Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
Presentation Does not present information on planet using materials created Persuades others using planet poster OR top ten list Persuades others to move to new planet using top ten list and planet poster Persuades others to move to new planet using top ten list, planet poster, and additional facts or information Top 10 List No list created Contains less than ten reasons or inaccurate reasons to move to a new planet Contains ten accurate reasons to move to a new planet Contains ten accurate and persuasive reasons to move to a new planet Research Completed less than 5 research questions Completed 5-7 research questions Completed all 8 research questions Completed all 8 research questions and recorded additional information Poster Contains less than two facts or no Contains 2 correct facts Contains 1 Colorful Contains 3 correct facts Contains 1 Colorful Contains more than three correct facts Contains more than one