Title: Planets
Overview/Annotation: TSW make a Table that includes the 9 planets in the Solar System and
important facts and pictures about each planet. TSW choose one planet and make a presentation
slide that includes a short, factual description of the planet and a picture.
Primary Learning Objective(s):
TSW demonstrate recognition and knowledge of the planets of the Solar System.
Total Duration: 30-60 minutes per student
Materials and Equipment:
Technology Resources Needed:
 Computer with word-processing program, slide presentation software, and Internet access
Background/Preparation:
 Prior student knowledge of word processing, making a Table, slide presentation software,
accessing the Internet, and downloading/inserting accessed pictures.
Procedures/Activities:
 Introduce lesson on planets.
 Students will make a Table that includes planet names and headings, such as Number of
Moons, Size of planet, Temperature of Planet, Distance/Order from Sun, Distance in miles
from Earth, Length of Days (rotation period), etc.
 Students will access the Internet to get required information.
Some suggested sites:
http://www.seds.org
http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome.htm
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/solar_system.html
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/solar_system/index.cfm
 Students will insert required information into the Table.
 Students will title their Table and save in designated folder.
 Students will choose one planet and make a single slide for a slide presentation. The slide will
include a short informative paragraph of the planet containing information required for the
Table and a picture of the planet.
 Students will title their slide and save in designated folder.
Assessment Strategies:
 Student includes all required information on Table.
 Student includes correct and sufficient information of the selected planet in slide paragraph.
 Student inserts correct picture of planet in slide.
 Student uses correct spelling and capitalization in all writing.
Examples:
Extension: Make a class PowerPoint presentation with slides for each planet. Slides will include
information, pictures, and narration.
Submitted by: Melanie Hogan, OMES