Exploring the Solar System: Planets, Stars, and Time Zones

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Exploring the Solar System: Planets, Stars, and Time Zones

Grade 1MathScience29 days

In this project, first-grade students embark on an exploration of the solar system, investigating planets, day and night, moon phases, and seasons. Through activities like creating a planetary model, simulating Earth's rotation, and tracking moon phases, students learn about the order of the planets, the cause of day and night, and the lunar cycle. The project culminates in a 'Cosmic Convention' where students present their knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding of Earth's place in the universe and the concept of global time zones.

Solar SystemPlanetsMoon PhasesEarth RotationDay and NightTime Zones

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.Como podemos explorar o sistema solar e entender os mistérios dos planetas, do dia e da noite, das fases da lua e das estações do ano?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

Qual é a ordem dos planetas no sistema solar?
Como a rotação da Terra causa o dia e a noite?
O que são as fases da lua e como elas acontecem?
Quais são as diferenças entre planetas quentes e frios?
Como a translação da Terra afeta as estações do ano?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Identificar a ordem dos planetas no sistema solar.
Explicar como a rotação da Terra causa o dia e a noite.
Descrever as fases da lua e como elas ocorrem.
Comparar e contrastar planetas quentes e frios.
Explicar como a translação da Terra afeta as estações do ano.
Compreender o sistema solar e os planetas em torno da Terra.
Conhecer a quantidade de estrelas no céu.
Diferenciar translação e rotação.
Compreender o conceito de fuso horário mundial.
Identificar as fases da lua.
Planejar uma visita à Lua (conceitual).

Professor

Primary

Planetas quentes e friosReason: Ensina a diferença entre os planetas

Primary

Quantidade de estrelas no céuReason: Entender a magnitude do universo

Primary

Translação e rotaçãoReason: Essencial para entender o movimento dos planetas

Primary

Visita à LuaReason: Objetivo de aprendizado prático

Primary

Sistema solarReason: Tópico central do projeto

Primary

Fuso horário mundialReason: Explica como o tempo muda em diferentes lugares

Primary

Fases da luaReason: Entender a mudança da lua

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Cosmic Convention: Planet Showcase

The classroom transforms into a 'Cosmic Convention,' where each student represents a different planet in the solar system. They prepare and deliver presentations showcasing their planet's 'unique selling points,' debating which planet is the 'best' and most habitable. This lively debate encourages deep research into planetary properties and conditions, culminating in a class vote and a realization of Earth's special place.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Planetary Line-Up

Students will create a visual model of the solar system, focusing on the correct order of the planets from the Sun.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research the names and order of the planets in the solar system using books or online resources.

2. Gather materials such as construction paper, paint, styrofoam balls, or other craft supplies.

3. Create a visual representation of the Sun and each of the planets.

4. Arrange the planets in the correct order from the Sun on a display board or string.

5. Label each planet with its name.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA labeled model of the solar system using various craft materials, showcasing the planets in their correct order.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Identificar a ordem dos planetas no sistema solar. Standard: Sistema solar.

Activity 2

Day and Night Rotation Simulation

Students will simulate the Earth's rotation to understand how it causes day and night.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Obtain a globe and a flashlight (or lamp).

2. Darken the room to better observe the effect of light.

3. Shine the flashlight on the globe, representing the Sun.

4. Slowly rotate the globe, observing how different parts of the Earth are illuminated (day) and in shadow (night).

5. Explain how the Earth's rotation causes the cycle of day and night.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA demonstration using a globe and a light source to show how the Earth's rotation results in day and night.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Explicar como a rotação da Terra causa o dia e a noite. Standard: Translação e rotação.

Activity 3

Moon Phase Calendar

Students will create a moon phase calendar to track and understand the different phases of the moon.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research the different phases of the moon (new moon, crescent, quarter, gibbous, full moon) using books or online resources.

2. Create a calendar grid for a month (approximately 29 days).

3. Draw or find images of each moon phase and place them on the calendar in the correct order.

4. Label each moon phase with its name.

5. Track the moon phases in the night sky and compare them to the calendar.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA calendar displaying the different phases of the moon over a lunar cycle, with labeled illustrations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Descrever as fases da lua e como elas ocorrem. Standard: Fases da lua.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Solar System and Lunar Cycle Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Solar System Model

Assessment of the solar system model's accuracy and visual appeal.

Criterion 1

Planetary Accuracy

Accuracy of planet order and representations.

Exemplary

4 Points

Planets are perfectly ordered and accurately represented; each planet's unique characteristics are highlighted with exceptional detail and creativity.

Proficient

3 Points

Planets are mostly in the correct order and well-represented with appropriate details.

Developing

2 Points

Planets are somewhat out of order or lack detail in their representation.

Beginning

1 Points

Planets are significantly out of order or poorly represented with minimal detail.

Criterion 2

Presentation Quality

Use of materials and overall presentation quality.

Exemplary

4 Points

Materials are used innovatively and the final product is exceptionally neat, visually appealing, and clearly labeled.

Proficient

3 Points

Materials are used effectively and the final product is neat, visually appealing, and clearly labeled.

Developing

2 Points

Materials are adequately used, but the final product may lack neatness or clear labeling.

Beginning

1 Points

Materials are poorly used, and the final product is messy or lacks essential labeling.

Category 2

Day/Night Simulation

Assessment of the day and night rotation simulation's accuracy and clarity.

Criterion 1

Day/Night Accuracy

Accuracy in demonstrating and explaining the day/night cycle.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstration flawlessly shows the day/night cycle, with an insightful explanation of the Earth's rotation and its effects, including nuanced details.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstration accurately shows the day/night cycle, with a clear explanation of the Earth's rotation.

Developing

2 Points

Demonstration partially shows the day/night cycle, but the explanation of the Earth's rotation is incomplete.

Beginning

1 Points

Demonstration is unclear or inaccurate, and the explanation of the Earth's rotation is minimal or incorrect.

Criterion 2

Simulation Effectiveness

Clarity and effectiveness of the simulation.

Exemplary

4 Points

Simulation is highly effective, easy to understand, and uses lighting and globe manipulation to enhance the demonstration significantly.

Proficient

3 Points

Simulation is clear, easy to understand, and effectively demonstrates the day/night cycle.

Developing

2 Points

Simulation is somewhat difficult to understand or lacks clarity in demonstrating the day/night cycle.

Beginning

1 Points

Simulation is confusing, ineffective, and fails to demonstrate the day/night cycle adequately.

Category 3

Moon Phase Calendar

Assessment of the moon phase calendar's accuracy, design, and overall presentation.

Criterion 1

Lunar Accuracy

Accuracy and order of moon phases represented in the calendar.

Exemplary

4 Points

Moon phases are perfectly ordered and accurately represented with sophisticated detail and labeling, demonstrating an advanced understanding of lunar cycles.

Proficient

3 Points

Moon phases are mostly in the correct order and well-represented with appropriate details and clear labeling.

Developing

2 Points

Moon phases are somewhat out of order or lack detail in their representation, with basic labeling.

Beginning

1 Points

Moon phases are significantly out of order or poorly represented with minimal labeling.

Criterion 2

Calendar Presentation

Overall design and presentation of the moon phase calendar.

Exemplary

4 Points

Calendar is exceptionally creative, visually appealing, and meticulously crafted, demonstrating a thorough understanding and attention to detail.

Proficient

3 Points

Calendar is well-organized, visually appealing, and neatly presented with clear labels.

Developing

2 Points

Calendar is functional but lacks visual appeal or neatness, and labeling may be inconsistent.

Beginning

1 Points

Calendar is poorly organized, lacks visual appeal, and is difficult to understand with minimal labeling.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you learned about the solar system?

Text

Required

Question 2

Which activity helped you understand the solar system the best?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Planetary Line-Up

Day and Night Rotation Simulation

Moon Phase Calendar

Question 3

How confident are you in your understanding of the order of the planets?

Scale

Required

Question 4

If you could visit any planet, which would it be and why?

Text

Required