Integrated Unit Plan - Our Solar System
Science
Math
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
The Sun
Why do our shadows
move depending on the
time of day?
Sidewalk chalk activity
(trace head & feet in
the a.m. and p.m.)
(www.nasa.gov
workshop)
Share observations
from activity using
Twitter (what was the
same? what was
different? based on
what we've learned
thus far, why do you
think your shadow
moved?)
Temperature
Compare and contrast
the temperature on
different planets!
Students will create a
post on Kidblog
documenting their
reactions to what they
have learned.
Our Earth & its 4
Seasons
Learn how and why
our planet Earth
rotates and revolves
around the Sun and
how this creates our 4
seasons.
Students are divided
into small groups to
create their own
digital story about
seasons using
Educreations.
Phases of the Moon
Read On the Moon.
Learn the 8 phases of
the moon using paper
plates.
(www.nasa.gov
workshop)
Post at least three
questions and/or
comments about the 8
phases of the moon
using Popplet (was
something confusing?
any tips/tricks in
remembering the eight
phases)?
The Size of our
Planets
Using 3lbs. of
PlayDoh, create a
scaled model of our
solar system.
Explore Kid Space on
NASA's website and
blog about which
activities you would
like to do in class.
(www.nasa.gov
workshop)
The Order of our
Planets
Using receipt tape,
create a model that
displays the order
and distance of each
planet. You just
need to know how
tall you are!
(www.nasa.gov
workshop)
Take a photo of your
completed model
and post it to your
blog. If you want to
be creative, give it a
name!
Angles
Measure angles using
a protractor from the
Sun to your Birthday
spot (in circle)!
(www.nasa.gov
workshop)
Measurement
Using a tray filled with
flour and cocoa to
represent the Moon's
crust - create your own
craters! Measure the
width and depth
(www.nasa.gov
workshop)
Students will blog
Percentages and
Decimals
Read G is for Galaxy.
Calculate what
percentage/decimal
of PlayDoh (whole)
each planet
represents using
fraction pieces.
(www.nasa.gov
Fractions
Using your receipt
tape model,
determine what
fraction of the tape
represents each
planet.
(www.nasa.gov
workshop)
Students will take a
Language Arts
Vocabulary
Given a list of
vocabulary words about
the Sun and planets,
make flash cards with a
partner and quiz each
other on spelling of
words.
Oral Presentation
Tell about your
favorite season using
descriptive words and
phrases.
Students will create a
"wordle" using their
iPad.
Social
Studies/Technology
Cultural Connection
Read the article "Sun
Dance" about Native
Americans and work
within small groups to
identify the main idea
and at least three
supporting details.
Geography
Explore how the
different seasons
effect different states
& their crops by filling
in a map (on iPad).
Use Map of U.S.
activity on NASA's
about what they
thought was the
coolest part!
workshop)
picture of their
receipt tape model
and tweet it.
Creative Writing
What would it be like
to travel to the Moon
in a shuttle? Create a
digital story with team
members pretending
you are traveling to
space. Use Pixlr to
create an avatar that
would live on the
moon. Tweet your
completed story for all
to see!
History
Who was the first Man
on the Moon and what
year did he land there?
Research this astronaut
within small groups &
be prepared to create a
10 slide power point.
Poetry
Tweet a creative
acrostic poem that
you have created
about at least 2
planets in our solar
system.
(Whizbangers,
Planet Poetry, pg.
232-233).
Reading
Read aloud Poor
Pluto.
Have a class
discussion about the
images in the story
and how they relate
to what we know
about our planets.
Students will blog
using Kidblog about
what they can infer
about the planets.
Research
Using online
databases, research
your favorite planet
(using at least 2
resources) - present
information to the
class. Students will
How Our Planets
Got Their Names?
Go to nasa.gov and
see what
information you can
find regarding
planet names. Pick
at least two to write
Art/Music/Health
SOL's
Materials
Health
Learn about UV rays
and how to protect
yourself.
UV beads & pipe
cleaner bracelet
activity. Take a picture
of yourself wearing your
bracelet outside & blog
it.
(www.nasa.gov
workshop)
Science: 4.8a, 4.8d
Math: 4.9
L.A.: 4.4e
Social Studies/Tech:
VS.1h, VS.2e
Health: 4.4d
Science: Sidewalk chalk,
website. Blog about
your experience.
(www.nasa.gov
workshop)
Create a hyperlink
within your
PowerPoint to a video
on YouTube that is
relevant.
about. Record notes
using iPad. Make
sure to cite sources!
(www.nasa.gov)
Music
Pick one instrument
(drum, recorder,
xylophone, chimes,
etc.) that you think
represents one of the
four seasons and play
something for the
class. Be sure to
explain why you think
that instrument
relates to that specific
season!
Science: 4.7a, 4.8a,
4.8b, 4.8d
Math: 4.10a
L.A.: 4.7j
Social Studies/Tech:
WG.1b, WG.1d
Music: 4.5
Art
Use Pixlr to create your
own planet and post
on Kidblog. Be as
creative as possible!
Music
Write a song about
your own imaginary
planet & record it
using YouTube.
Use SoundCloud for
ideas!
Science: 4.7a, 4.8a,
4.8c
Math: 4.7a, 4.7b
L.A.: 4.7f, 4.7g, 4.7h,
4.7i
Social Studies/Tech:
C/T 3-5.7a
Art: 4.10
Science: 4.7a, 4.7c,
4.8d
Math: 4.3a, 4.3b
L.A.: 4.7d, 4.7e
Social Studies/Tech:
C/T 3-5.6a, C/T 35.6b
Music: 4.1 - 1
Science: 4.7a, 4.7b,
4.8d
Math: 4.2c
L.A.: 4.5h, 4.5i
Social Studies/Tech:
C/T 3-5.6a
P.E.: 4.2b
Science: On the Moon,
Science: 3 lbs. of
Science: receipt tape,
Science: Hello, Harvest
share their
presentation using
slideboom or
slideshare (post link
on Kidblog).
Remember to
include graphics
Art
Using WebStagram,
create a Board to
share with the class
of all of the photos
you have taken for
this unit. Be as
creative as possible
& incorporate other
technologies such as
Pixlr, blog, twitter,
etc.!
clock, computer
Math: Ruler, five sheets
of paper, pencil,
watercolor marker,
computer
L.A.: Vocabulary words,
pencil, flash cards
Social Studies/Tech: "Sun
Dance" article, pencil and
paper
Health: pipe cleaners, UV
ray beads, camera,
computer
Moon, by Ralph
Fletcher, inflated Earth
ball, inflated Sun ball,
computer
Math: Protractor
L.A.: Four Seasons
Make, a Year by Anne
Rockwell, computer
Social Studies/Tech:
large sheet of drawing
paper or a shower
curtain, pencil, markers,
computer
Music: Musical
instruments (music
room)
by Anna Milbourne,
paper plates, print outs
of 8 phases of the moon,
glue, scissors, computer
Math: aluminum baking
tray, cocoa powder,
glitter, flour, rocks of
different sizes/weights,
ruler, computer
L.A.: resource books
and/or access to the
internet, pencil and
paper, computer
Social Studies/Tech:
access to the internet
and preapproved online
databases, PowerPoint
software, computer
Art: 20 cotton balls,9
sheets of black
construction paper, glue
stick, 2 or 3 pieces of
aluminum foil about 8
1/2 x 11 in., computer
PlayDoh, ruler, string,
paper, pen, computer
Math: G is for Galaxy,
by Janis Campbell &
Cathy Collison, pencil,
paper, fraction pieces
L.A.: writing journal,
pencil, resource books
and/or access to the
internet, computer
Social Studies/Tech:
access to nasa.gov,
pencil and paper,
computer
Music: pencil, paper,
computer
pencil, market, ruler,
computer
Math: ruler, pencil,
paper, receipt tape
model, computer
L.A.: Poor Pluto, by
third grade students
at Tokay Colony
Elementary School,
camera, computer
Social Studies/Tech:
access to the internet
and preapproved
online databases,
computer
Art: meter sticks,
extra bases, baseball
field, computer