Exploring the Solar System

	Exploring the Solar System
Author(s):	Ashley Schmidt The lesson comes from a BII experience with a small group of children. The lesson was created with a group of fellow classmates. Their names are Stephanie Brown, Shannon Sweeney, Leah Stein and Courtney Hunt. They are all in this section of W401.
Grade Level:	5th grade
Timeframe:	Class periods 12 total class periods. Number of hours: Hopefully an hour each day
Lesson Description or Explanation	The whole large classroom is studying the solar system. You can split the kids up into groups of 4 or 5 to research various topics concerning the solar system. The kids would first research using books and then research through the internet and various search engines like Google, and yahoo. After they had researched and collaborated on what they thought the other students needed to know about their solar system topic they create a power point to present to the class. We will then combine all of the slides to use as a study guide for assessment.
Indiana Curricular Standards	SCI 5.1.4-Give examples of technology, such as telescopes, microscopes, and cameras that enable scientists and others to observe things that are too small or too far away to be seen without them and to study the motion of objects that are moving very rapidly or are hardly moving. SCI 5.3.2- Observe and describe that stars are like the sun, some being smaller and some being larger, but they are so far away that they look like points of light. LA 5.2.1- Use the features of informational texts, such as formats, graphics, diagrams, illustrations, charts, maps, and organization, to find information and support understanding. LA 5.4.4- Use organizational features of printed text, such as citations, endnotes, and bibliographic references, to locate relevant information.
ISTE Standards	2. Communication and Collaboration Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students: a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats. d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems. 5. Digital Citizenship Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students: a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
Assessments Formative/Summative	Formative Assessment: Would be ongoing kidwatching, making sure the children are staying on task. I would also hold a classroom discussion to check the progress each group is making during the research process. This includes making sure each child is participating and sharing an equal role in the construction of knowledge. Summative Assessment: The final assessment over the solar system is a test based on the power point slides presented to the class. The slides would serve as a study guide to help the children.
Prior Knowledge	Curricular Knowledge or Skills: Using prior knowledge to scaffold learning. Asking questions the challenges their thinking. Being able to effectively use search engines and books to collect information for knowledge building. Technology Knowledge: A basic understanding of how to use Microsoft power point.
Technology	Internet Resources: Here is a list of various URLs they can use for research. www.nasa.gov, www.science.howstuffworks.com/question232.htm , www.hubblesite.org Hardware: Computer with internet access Software: Microsoft Office power point
Procedure	Day 1: Ask children what they know about the solar system, what they want to know about the solar system and questions that they have concerning the solar system. Afterwards teacher decides what things they are going to focus upon and using the standards as guideposts. Day 2: Show the class a list of topics to choose from over the solar system. Their choice on the topic will separate them into groups. Naturally, the children might be asked to move to a different group to keep the numbers small. Day 3: Provide the various groups with texts that they can read concerning their topic. Have the children write down and discuss findings. Day 4: Have the children keep using the texts to research. Day 5: Come together as a large group to report out concerning the progress of each group. Revisit the chart initially created to make sure they are answering questions concerning the topic. Day 6: Have the children continue to research, but this time on the internet using various search engines like Google and Yahoo. Show them how to use databases like Ebsco Host. Day 7: Continue having the children research topic and find pictures, charts, graphics to put in the power point. Day 8: The groups that are ready can go ahead and start creating a power point over their topic. This will probably last for a few days. The last day would be the presentations and revisiting the chart to see if their questions had been answered. Would give the summative assessment the day after the presentations.
Differentiated Instruction
ESL	For ESL learners, I would make sure they are familiar with the various translation websites and how to use them effectively. I would also provide them with various texts that incorporate different languages if needed.
Challenge/Extend	For children who work at a faster rate, I would ask them to think of an activity or provocation to do before they start their power point presentations. I would also allow them to help the other groups that need to use effective reading strategies to help boost their comprehension.
Special Needs	Give the children different levels of text that will support all readers. Provide them with additional support while searching on the internet and model effective search strategies to use. I would also put the groups together were the children are going to learn from the others in their group. Hopefully, there will be a strong supportive community of learners to help children with special needs.

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