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Exploring Earth and Space Science

A 5th-6th grade STEM lesson

Felisa Alberts

June 12th, 2023

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Notes for teachers

Notes

Consider discussing reliable vs. questionable websites with students prior to beginning

List of Materials

Student Access to the Internet/Laptops or Computers for Each Student
Anchor Chart Paper
Sticky notes (optional)
Data Recording Sheet or Brainstorming Map (some way to record information)
Art Materials depending on the project they choose

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Science Standards

5.E2U1.8: The Earth and our solar system are a very small part of one of many galaxies within the Universe.

5.E2U1.7: Develop, revise, and use models based on evidence to construct explanations about the movement of the Earth and Moon within our solar system

Technology Standards

3-5.6.c. Students, in collaboration with an educator, create digital artifacts using multimedia tools to communicate ideas visually, graphically, auditorily.

3-5.3.a. Students, in collaboration with an educator, employ appropriate research techniques to locate digital resources that will help them in their learning process

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Objective(s):

Today we will ask questions, research, interpret, create and display information about our solar system.

Today we will obtain, evaluate and communicate information about a planet or space concept within our solar system.

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Agenda (lesson time)

Day #1 (20-40 minutes depending on differentiation): Create KWL Chart, discuss space

Day #2 (45 minutes): Students research and record data

Day #3-#4: Assessment & presentations

Optional Component: Revisit the Anchor Chart and complete the “L” Section

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

As a class, create a KWL chart on anchor paper. Ask students to collaborate together for 2-4 minutes and think of things they already know about the solar system. Afterwards, ask students to share aloud and write their answers under the “K”. Continue the process and list what students want to know under the “W”.

Optional engagement strategy: give students sticky notes and have them add their idea with a sticky note instead of the teacher writing their responses. This will get them up and moving.

The teacher will play the following video to aid visual learners, and help students build prior knowledge before reading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6nLM2QlWw

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Research with Technology: Students will read an informational text online. The teacher will demonstrate logging onto the laptops in class. It’s important to model this step, so students understand the process and have a better rate of success. Consider discussing credible websites vs. questionable websites like Wikipedia with students. For this activity, students should all use: https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/solar-system-and-beyond/index.html
Students will choose one of the informational texts to read on this website. Examples include What is Pluto? and What is Microgravity? Students may begin by watching videos and looking at the visual representations on each page.
Students will then begin preparing a project from the choice board (see slide 9)

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Choice Board

This is a Template for a Choice Board. This can be supplemented with a board of your choosing or alternate activities

Write a 1 Page Essay about the Planet you’ve read about	Create a 1 Page Poster about the Planet you’ve read about	With a partner, create a play and act out what you’ve learned about regarding the planets
Create a slideshow presentation (minimum 3 slides) to represent something you’ve learned about our solar system	Reflect: Write a reflection of this activity. What part of researching did you enjoy? What did you learn? What surprised you?	Create a visual representation of what you’ve learned about the solar system
Write a Poem about a Planet you read about	Write a song about the Planet you’ve read about	Create a comic book, displaying what you’ve learned about from the informational texts

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Assessment

Informal Assessment: Consider only assessing students based on the “L” Column. If needed prompt students, with questions. This will avoid basic recall and students getting stuck in the lower DOK Levels.

Formal Assessment: Will be their projects they have created.

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Differentiation

The articles could be printed to save time, or if technology is not available

Pair students up with a buddy to help struggling readers

Shorten or find passages that fit your student’s needs

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Provide additional informational text passages about space, gravity or the solar system

Engage students in a discussion about their discoveries