Outer Limits, Author(s): Sharon Diliberto & Laura Hyer, Grade Level:3, Subject Area: Science, The students will work in groups of three. The group will receive an envelope containing the nine planets along with the sun. Each student will have two clues to read to the group. These clues will collectively give the necessary information needed to place the planets in the correct order from the sun.

Planning Guide

Creating Learner-Focused Schools

* Madison-Oneida BOCES- This document may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the District Superintendent or his designee.

LU Title: Outer Limits	Author(s): Sharon Diliberto & Laura Hyer
Grade Level: Third Grade	School Address: Sauquoit Valley Elem. 2601 Oneida Street, Sauquoit, NY 13456
Subject Area: Science	School Phone/Fax: (315) 839-6339

CONTENT KNOWLEDGE

Declarative

Procedural

Identify the solar system as part of the Milky Way Galaxy,which in turn,is part of the Universe.
Identify the sun as the center of the Solar System.
Understand that the planets are kept in their orbits by the gravitational pull of the sun.
Understand that the planets both revolve on an orbit and rotate on an axis.
Identify the nine planets in order from the sun.
Identify significant characteristics of each planet.

Use data base to enter information on each planet in the solar system.
Access information from the internet.
Find and print a picture of a planet off the internet.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What is the correct order of the planets?
What are the unique features of each planet?
What is the difference between rotation and revolution?
What is the center of the solar system?
Where are we located in our universe?

INITIATING ACTIVITY

The students will work in groups of three. The group will receive an envelope containing the nine planets along with the sun. Each student will have two clues to read to the group. These clues will collectively give the necessary information needed to place the planets in the correct order from the sun.

Connection to State Learning Standards

Content Area: Science

Level: II (Grades3-5)

Unit Theme: Outer Limits

MST STANDARD 4: SCIENCE Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

Standard: The Earth and celestial

phenomena can be described by principles of relative motion and perspective.

Benchmarks:

Knows that the earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun, and the moon orbits around the earth.
Knows that planets look like stars, but over time they appear to move among the constellations.

Standard: Energy and matter interact through forces that result in changes in motion.

Benchmarks:

Describe the effects of common forces on objects, such as those caused by gravity, magnetism, and mechanical forces.
Describe how forces can operate across distances.

Technology Standard

Standard: Information technology is used to retrieve, process, and communicate information and as a tool to enhance learning.

Benchmarks:

1. Access needed information from printed media, electronic data bases, and community resources.

Learning Experiences

What declarative knowledge should students be in the process of acquiring & integrating? As a result of the unit, the student will know or understand…	What experiences or activities will be used to help students acquire & integrate this knowledge?	What strategies will be used to help students construct meaning, organize and/or store the knowledge?	Describe what will be done.
Identify the Solar System in relation to the Universe.	Reading non-fiction books Viewing videos Information sheets	Graphic organizers	The students will listen to and read a variety of non-fiction material, view videos, and complete graphic organizers and worksheets.
Identify the sun as the center of the Solar System	View a 3-D model of the Solar System Overhead transparencies Non-fiction books Informational sheets	Diagrams	The teacher will read a science book on this topic. The students will view models and overhead transparencies. Students will read and complete information sheets on the sun.
Understand that the planets are kept in their orbits by the gravitational pull of the sun.	Videos Non-fiction books Informational sheets		The students will view various videos, listen to a science book addressing this topic, and read and complete worksheets.
Understand that the planets both revolve in an orbit and rotate on an axis.	3-D model of the Solar System videos motion-oriented transparency informational sheets non-fiction books		The students will view a 3-D model that shows the motions of rotation and revolution and an overhead transparency showing rotation in relation to direct sunlight. Videos, informational sheets and non-fiction books will cover this topic.
Identify the nine planets in order from the sun.	Diagrams Informational sheets Overhead Transparencies Non-fiction books Videos	Choral reading Songs and poems Mnemonic device	The teacher will read books, share a mnemonic device on the planet's order from the sun, and show overhead transparencies. Students will use diagrams, read poems and songs and complete informational sheets.
Identify significant characteristics of each planet	Diagrams Informational sheets Overhead Transparencies Non-fiction books Videos	Choral Reading Songs and poems	The students will listen to and read a variety of non-fiction material, view videos, and complete graphic organizers and worksheets.

Learning Experiences
Procedural Knowledge

What procedural knowledge will students be in the process of acquiring & integrating? As a result of this unit, students will be able to:	What will be done to help students construct models, shape & internalize the knowledge?	Describe what will be done.
Use data base to enter information on each planet on the Solar System.	Flow chart	The students record data on a spreadsheet.
Access information from the internet.	Flow chart	The students will access information from a variety of web sites.
Find and print a picture of a planet off the internet.	Flow chart	The students will use a web site to find and print a picture of a planet.

Learning Experiences
Extending and Refining

What knowledge will students be extending and refining? Specifically, they will be extending and refining their understanding of…

What reasoning process will they be using?

[Comparing, Classifying, Inductive Reasonging, Deductive Reasoning, Error Analysis, Analyzing Perspectives, Constructing Support, Abstracting, Other]

Describe what will be done.

Reviewing the characteristics of each planet.

Deductive reasoning

Students will be playing a computer game whereby they will determine the planet based on the characteristics given.

Learning Experiences
Meaningful Use Task

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

What knowledge will students be using meaningfully? Specifically, they will be demonstrating their understanding of and ability to...........

What reasoning process will they be using?

Describe student's products and performances and the criteria for evaluation.

Students will be using their facts they've learned about the planets and space.

[x] Invention

(create something to meet a need or improve on a situation)

Students will be asked to create a travel brochure on a planet of their choice using given criteria.

Rubric: Extending and Refining, Deduction Task

Key Questions:

What are the key elements, traits, or dimensions that will be evaluated?

Are the identified elements of equal importance or will they be weighed differently?

	Element #1	Element #2	Element #3	Element #4
Elements Scale	Identifies Deduction.	Interprets Generalizations or Principles	Identifies Logical Consequences
Weights	0%	0%	100%
4	This component is not assessed at this benchmark	This component is not assessed at this benchmark	Accurately identifies logical conclusions implied by the generalization/principles
3			With few errors, accurately identifies conclusions implied by the generalization/principles
2	.		Accounts for some logical conclusions implied by the generalization/principle but make some logical errors in identifying conclusions
1			Identifies conclusions that have little or no logical basis to the topic

NOTE: Rubric or other performance assessment instruments may be us

Rubric: Meaningful Use Task

Key Questions:

What are the key elements, traits, or dimensions that will be evaluated?

Are the identified elements of equal importance or will they be weighed differently?

	Element #1	Element #2	Element #3	Element #4
Elements Scale	Accuracy of scientific facts.	Relevance of criteria chosen.	Descriptions with detail	Persuasion
Weights	25%	25%	25%	25%
4	All facts are included and accurate.	All suggested items for the journey are crucial.	Description includes a great deal of detail and is very clear and concise.	Gives very effective support for their argument.
3	Most facts are included and accurate.	Most suggested items for the journey are crucial.	Description includes a detail and is clear and concise.	Gives effective support for their argument.
2	Some facts are included and accurate.	Some suggested items for the journey are crucial.	Description includes some detail and is somewhat clear and concise.	Gives some support for their argument.
1	Few facts are included and accurate.	Few suggested items for the journey are crucial.	Description includes little detail and is not clear and concise.	Gives little support for their argument.

NOTE: Rubric or other performance assessment instruments may be used.

Have You Considered These Yet?

Learn to Learn Skills: One to one peer tutoring, use of Internet, and use of Spreadsheet with given data.

Assessment Modifications: Individualized instruction of students with learning disabilities, modification of project requirements, and assistance and consideration during the assessment.

Unit Schedule/Time Plan: 4 weeks

Written Overview: This unit was designed to help students become more aware of the Solar System. This unit will inform the students that the earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun. These planets each have unique characteristics . They will also get facts and information from the internet about the Solar System. The students will also have the opportunity to collect and record data on a spreadsheet .