Objectives:
Students will be able to work collaboratively in groups.
Students will be able to participate in a 3-5 minute presentation (per
group) using a visual aid and including important information about the
topic.
*This lesson was designed to include Pluto as a planet.
Divide the class into eight groups. Write the names of the planets on a
piece of paper and let each group draw which planet they will be researching.
Once they have completed all of the instructions on the process page, each
group of students will give their presentations to the NSA (classroom).
Based on the presentations, the class can vote by secret ballot which planet
they would like to visit.
This is a fun way to get students interested in the solar system.
The NASA website is used for planetary information. There is a lot there
that can be used by you to help the students learn more about the solar
system. I would use the Earth for an example to model to the students how to
collect their data.
There is a link on the home page for educators and one for pre-written
lessons. This is a very useful site for space education.
