Solar System Learning Stations A Guided Inquiry Lesson This lesson plan may be used to address the academic standards listed below. These National Science Education Standards are drawn from Content Knowledge for Understanding Scientific Inquiry and the Earth’s Changing Surface. The science subject matter focuses on the science facts, concepts, principles, theories, and models that are important for all students to know, understand, and use.
Subject: Science; Grades K-4
Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to have the students initiate their own learning by searching for answers to questions, making models, writing, and using art to create models in order to learn about the solar system.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. The students will increase their knowledge about numerous aspects of the solar system by participating in and completing activities in seven cooperative learning stations with a minimum of 85% mastery of these stations. Materials list For each station, each student will need notebook paper, pencil, and solar system folder in addition to the items specified for each station. The teacher will go to the library and check out all available books about space and have them accessible to students.
Behavior Expectations: Today we will be performing an experiment. Some of the materials we are going to use are messy. I expect you to be careful and abide by the safety rules when using the materials. I expect the proper clean-up after the experiment.
Station 1- Space writers 1. Pre-printed writing paper with a solar system theme border 2. Colored pencils or crayons
Station 2- Question and answer books 1. Pre-printed question and answer pages 2. Internet access (solar system links bookmarked) 3. Library access 4. Colored pencils, crayons
Station 3 – Weight in space 1. Weight in space worksheet 2. Calculator 3. Colored pencils, crayons
Station 4 – Can you planet? 1. Internet access (solar system links bookmarked) 2. Library access 3. Textbook 4. Colored pencils or crayons 5. Pre-printed worksheet and Venn diagram
Station 5 – Creation station 1. Art supplies (paint, glue, glitter, etc) 2. Newspaper, construction paper, yarn, string, tape, scissors 3. Shoe box with lid for each group 4. Internet access (solar system links bookmarked) 5. Library access 6. Textbook
Station 6 – People in space discovery station 1. Internet access (solar system links bookmarked) 2. Library access 3. Textbook Station 7 – Build your own solar system 1. Art supplies – all accessible supplies 2. Drawing paper 3. Paper cups, paper plates 4. Small boxes, cardboard etc…
Introduction for Station Rotations:
Gain Attention: The teacher will explain the activities in each station. The students will be required to work together to locate information and apply it to the activities.
Establish purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to have the students initiate their own learning by searching for answers to questions, making models, writing, and using art to create models.
Arouse interest and motivation: The teacher will explain to the students that they are about to embark on a learning adventure that will be much different from the typical science lessons from the textbook.
Preview the lesson: The students will participate in seven different learning stations that are related to the solar system. By participating in these activities, the students will construct their own knowledge of the solar system and its components.
Data Collection 1. The teacher will explain the different stations. 2. The teacher will distribute contracts for students to sign and retain. They will keep their contracts to use as a reference tool to remind them of their responsibilities for the unit. 3. The teacher will explain and display the station schedule. 4. After students are clear about their station requirements, they will be directed to go to their stations and begin. 5. Because this is a lesson that spans seven days, the teacher will remind the students of the rules for cooperative learning and review the station schedule as needed. 6. The students will participate in stations for seven days. If some students do not complete their activities, they will be given time after the rotation schedule is complete or during free time throughout the day. 7. The students will be given a copy of the rubric prior to the activities.
Data Processing: Summarize and review: The teacher will ask the students what they have learned about the solar system and ask them about their favorite learning experience. The class will be encouraged to discuss the learning that took place.
Transfer learning: Each day, the students will be encouraged share their learning with their family and friends. Remotivate and Close: At the end of each class period, the teacher will invite the students to share some of their learning with their classmates
Appraisal: The students will be assessed using a rubric based upon participation in each activity and the quality of information gathered. The integrated mathematics assignments will be graded according to accurate calculations and graphs.
Cooperative group rubric
Name: ______Date: ______Class: ______
Exceptional Admirable Acceptable Amateur Group Participation Shared Responsibility Quality of Interaction Roles Within Group
COMMENTS: Exceptional-5 points Admirable – 4 points Acceptable – 3 points Amateur – 2 points Total possible points – 20 20-18 (A), 17-16 (B), 15-14 (C) 13-12 (D)
References: Out of this world – AIMS Education Foundation 1991 http://spaceplace.nasa.gov http://www.nineplanets.org http://www.nasa.gov Dina Zike's Make it Books Link to Learn – http://www.successlink.org http://www.discoveryschool.com
Additional Readings:
Big Bang: The Story of the Universe by Heather Couper and Nigel Henbest Black Holes by Heather Couper and Nigel Henbest
The Kingfisher Young People’s Book of Space by Martin Fedfern
Orion, The Hunter by Necia H. Apfel Solar System Rotation Schedule
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Group 1 Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 Station 6 Station 7 Group 2 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 Station 6 Station 7 Station 1 Group 3 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 Station 6 Station 7 Station 1 Station 2 Group 4 Station 4 Station 5 Station 6 Station 7 Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Group 5 Station 5 Station 6 Station 7 Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Group 6 Station 6 Station 7 Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 Group 7 Station 7 Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 Station 6 ~Student Contract~
I ______state that I will perform the assignments and activities that are assigned for the solar system unit. I understand that I will be working with a group of students and I will follow cooperative group rules and I will do my part in each activity. By participating in this learning experience, I will have the opportunity to expand my current knowledge. After I have completed all of the necessary activities, I will have the opportunity to play solar system games.
Signed______Date______
Unit requirements: ____- Discovery activity 1 ____- Discovery activity 2 ____- Discovery activity 3 ____- Station 1 ____- Station 2 ____- Station 3 ____- Station 4 ____- Station 5 ____- Station 6 ____- Station 7 ____- Experiment ____- Research project Self-Assessment Checklist Complete this checklist after each activity that you complete in this unit. Be sure to be honest. You are in charge of your learning and must be honest with your evaluation.
1. I completed each section of the activity yes no 2. I worked well with my group members yes no 3. I did my best work yes no 4. I stayed on task yes no 5. I learned something new about the yes no Solar system.