ND Curriculum Initiative

Subject & Standards

Understandings & Goals

Enduring Understanding:
There are 9 planets in our solar system, which orbit around the sun. These planets have similar and different traits, some are due to their placement in space. 

Goal(s):
Students will know the 9 planets.Students will know facts about the planets. Students will select a space graphic from the Internet. Students will present 3 or more facts about a solar system element.Students will gather and organize information for a presentation.

Questions Answered

Essential questions:
What true facts can you tell me about the 9 planets and other aspects of the solar system? Objectives:
Students will list the order of the nine planets. Students will write up and then type 3 or more facts about the solar system element they are given. Students will use the space Internet Sites assigned and select a graphic for their project. Students will use the fact web to organize main idea and details about the topic assigned to them.

Assessment

What quiz and test items (e.g. simple content-focused questions that require a single, best answer) will provide evidence of understanding?
  List the 9 planets in order. Create a “jingle” to help you remember the order of the planets. A test will be given with single test questions, diagram completion, and short answer questions. Tell me 1 or more fact(s) about each solar system element listed.

What academic prompts (e.g. open-ended questions or problems that require students to think critically and then to prepare a response / product / performance) will provide evidence of understanding?
  Present your “jingle” to the class. If a new planet was discovered with the inner planets describe to me what it would be like. If a new planet was discovered with the outer planets describe to me what it would be like.

What performance tasks and projects (e.g. complex challenges that are authentic, mirror the real world and require a performance or product) will you include that will provide evidence of student understanding?
  Using the fact web organizer and your written report, select an Internet graphic to complete your project. Then I will copy and paste all your information into a class power point presentation. Using the measurements presented by the teacher help the class create a sidewalk chalk drawing of the solar system. Using your information for the power point, memorize your facts to be part of the class play “Solar System Showcase”.

What other evidence (e.g. observations, work samples, dialogues, student self-assessment) of understanding will you collect?
  The class power point will be copied and given to each student. We will also show the power point after the class play for the audience to enjoy. Using the accessories program and the paint tool, create your own planet. Name it and list 3 or more interesting facts about their new planet.

Instructional Strategies

Learning the nine planets is fulfilled by inquiring about each planet as we go along, but the final projects in the end show me if they now the planets and their order. Their jingle will show me they know the order, plus it is their own creation so they have ownership.
As students search for facts and a graphic about their solar system element they need to use problem-based strategies. They have a main idea and they need to find facts about something they don’t know very much about. Once again the project in the end displays discovered research and new knowledge. This doesn’t take on much ownership.
Project-based learning is achieved when the students complete their jingle, chalk diagram, written report, play, and our power point.
Inquiry-based learning allows students really learn as they go along. It doesn’t lay everything out in black and white. It leaves so much room for exploration, and trial and error.
Problem-based learning is a little harder for me to apply in some subjects. I love to use this in math, reading, and science.
Project based strategies help students show they really understand concepts. It also gives students the hands on opportunities they sometimes need to get a handle of things. Group projects allow skilled students to teach other students. I like project-based learning because it seems to be the trophy at the end of an event.
I would have to say I prefer to use project-based teaching the best, but I use inquiry and problem-based learning along with it, to get to the finished project!