Planet, Stars & Moons, Oh My!
Curricular Areas: Language Arts, Science, and Art
Grade Level: Third Grade
Time Frame: Two weeks (10 days), 1-2 hours a day
Goals
Students will:
1. Students will be able to identify the order and properties of the eight planets in
our solar system.
2. Students will be able to write a fictional story based on the information learned
about the solar system.
3. Students will be able to do basic research using the computer and books
4. Students will be able to effectively work in groups.
Objectives
Students will:
1. Construct a moving diorama of the solar system in groups with 95% accuracy.
2. Create a fictional story about moving to a new planet with 90% accuracy.
3. Illustrate a story using drawings or paintings with 90% accuracy.
4. Correctly label all major components of the solar system with 90% accuracy.
Vocabulary: The Solar System
Planet
Comet
Galaxy
Meteor
Revolve
Star
Asteroid
Orbit
Constellation
Light Year
Milky Way
Rotate
Moon
Sun
Vocabulary: The Planets
Mercury
Earth
Jupiter
Uranus
Venus
Mars
Saturn
Neptune
Teaching/Learning Activities:
1. Introduce the unit by showing the class a short video: National Geographic:
Solar System 101
2. Discuss the importance of knowing about where we live in the universe
3. Visual PowerPoint presentation on important vocabulary for this unit
4. Visual PowerPoint presentation on each individual planet and its properties
5. Where are the Planets? worksheets (One for each planet)
6. Sort Out the Solar System worksheets
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7. Information Chart about planets and their properties
8. Small group moving planet diorama
9. Independent and group reading about the solar system
10. Each student will research an individual planet using books and the internet
11. PowerPoint on how to do research
12. Students will write and illustrate about moving to a new planet
13. Share their books with the class
Materials
Books:
Postcards from Pluto by Loreen Leedy
Our Solar System, The Universe by Seymour Simon
The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole
Rookie Read-About Space: The Solar System by Carmen Bredeson
Solar System by Gregory Vogt
The Planets by Gail Gibbons
There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System by Tish Rabe
Every Planet Has a Place by Becky Baines
Video:
National Geographic: Solar System 101
Websites:
http://nineplanets.org/
http://www.amnh.org/ology/index.php?channel=astronomy
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html
http://www.brainpop.com/science/space/
Project Materials:
Balloons
Newspaper
Paper Mache “paste”
Plastic tubs
Paint
Paintbrushes
String
Popsicle sticks
Boxes
Paper clips
Worksheets
 Where Are the Planets? – One for each planet
(http://www.education.com/worksheets/?q=%22where+are+the+planets%3F
%22)
 Sort Out the Solar System (http://www.education.com/worksheet/article/sortsolar-system/)
 Information Chart
Class set of scissors, glue, markers, colored pencils, crayons, pencils, and rulers
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Computers
Manila paper
PowerPoint
Projector
Evaluation/Assessment:
Observation
Solar System Dioramas
Student Worksheets
Student Book Compositions
Planet Test
Lesson Plan
Title: Model Solar Systems
Curricular Areas: Science, Art
Grade Level: Third Grade
Time Frame: 4-5 days
Objective:
o Students will identify the eight planets and their properties with 90% accuracy.
o The students will work in groups of 3-4 to create a moving diorama of the
solar system with 95% accuracy.
o Students will work cooperatively and productively in groups.
TEKS:
§112.14. Science, Grade 3
B8 (C) construct models that demonstrate the relationship of the Sun, Earth, and
Moon
B8 (D) identify the planets in Earth's solar system and their position in relation to
the Sun
§117.11. Art, Grade 3
B2 (C) create art work based on personal observations and experiences
B2 (C) produce constructions using a variety of art materials appropriately
Context/Modifications:
o Prior Knowledge:
 Students should have basic knowledge of the eight planets and their
properties.
o Modifications for students with special needs:
 Extra assistance will be provided for students, as needed, from
teacher, aids or classmates.
 Assistance from ESL teacher for interpretation, as needed.
 Students will be grouped to allow equal skills in all groups.
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Anticipatory Focusing:
o The teacher will use http://nineplanets.org/tour/ to show an interactive model
of the solar system and discuss the planets.
o The teacher will lead a discussion about what the students have learned so
far about the solar system using vocabulary words.
o The teacher will introduce the diorama project.
Setting Expectations:
o Explain to the class that they will be creating moving dioramas in groups.
o The class will establish rules for working in a group.
o The class will establish rules for working with messy supplies.
o The teacher will give daily instructions.
Input:
o Review of the planets in the solar system
o Class discussion of the rules.
o Teacher gives daily project instructions
Modeling:
o Teacher will give verbal reminder of established rules.
o Remind students to use their worksheets to help with dimensions, color and
other information about the planets.
o Teacher will demonstrate how to do daily task
 Day One: Sizing Balloons and covering in paper mache
 Day Two: Painting the inside of the box
 Day Three: Painting the planets
 Day Four: Hanging the planets
Checking for Understanding:
o Teacher will monitor all activities by circulating around the room observing
student’s work, group discussions, and class discussions.
o Teacher will ask the students questions about project specifics.
o Teacher will quiz students about the solar system.
o Teacher will engage students in conversation about their projects and
knowledge about the solar system.
o Teacher will review student’s dioramas.
Guided Practice:
o Students work on dioramas as the teacher monitors their progress.
Re-teach:
o Teacher will do mini reviews with individual groups throughout the week.
o Classroom wrap-up discussions at the end of each day to check progress,
understanding, and answer any questions.
Independent Practice:
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o Students will be tested on their knowledge of the solar system at the end of
the unit with a test.
o Students will be expected to study vocabulary related to this unit at home in
addition to using vocabulary in class discussions.
Mastery Check:
o Teacher will observe group and class discussions.
o Students will accurately label the planets.
o Students will be able to describe each planet and what makes it unique.
o Students will display their moving dioramas.
Extension:
o Students are encouraged to learn more about the solar system on their own.
o Students may use information gained in this project to work on their
compositions.
Closure:
o Students will complete a test by labeling the parts of the solar system and giving
properties of the eight planets.
o Students will complete their dioramas.
Reflective Critique:
o Did the students have enough time to complete the projects?
o Did the students enjoy this lesson?
o Do I need further modifications for students with special needs?
o Are the classroom materials adequate and appropriate?
o Did the students work together in groups well?
o Was the lesson effective?
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