Come Visit Our Planet!


Introduction

Task

Process

Evaluation

Conclusion

Credits

Teacher Page

A WebQuest for 8th Grade (Science)

Designed by

Lisa M. Ochoa
[email protected]

shuttle

Introduction

This webquest has been designed to help students better understand the concepts of the planets.  This has been developed as part of the Visit our Planet Project.  I have created this WebQuest because it was a requirement of my professor as part of my master's degree.  However, I hope to use it for my students to become more aware of the planets.   

In the Visit our Planet WebQuest, students will be put into groups of three or four.  Students are expected to research their given planet for many characteristics; they will need to determine the temperature, distance from the sun, atmospheric conditions, number of moons, space visits, etc.  The students will be expected to make a poster of their designated planet at the completion of this project.  They will also be expected to perform a skit or commercial that will convince their classmates to visit their planet.



Learners

This lesson is designed for 8th grade science students.  There will be some math involved in this project as well.

Students will need to know how to use a computer to some extent in order to navigate through the WebQuest.  STudents will also need to know how to convert hours to minutes and minutes to seconds. 



Curriculum Standards

Students will learn how to work with computers and more technology. 

Science Standard Addressed

  • Identify planets in our solar system and their general characteristics   3.5 D

Students will need to collaborate and come up with all of the necessary information needed for their poster and skit.  Students need to be creative so that other students would want to visit their planet.  Teamwork is a must in this project because each team member holds a vital role in project competion. 
Remember, there is no "I" in team. 

TEAM... Together Everyone Achieves More.




Evaluation

There will be 3 grades.

  • The first grade will be an individual grade based on the completion of the expert packet.
  • The second grade will be a group grade based on the completion of the group poster or billboard for your planet.
  • The third grade will be a group grade based on the skit that will convince us to come and travel to your planet.

FACT
SHEET


Beginning

0


Developing


1


Accomplished


3

Exemplary

5

Score

 

Identify key aspects of the planet you were assigned

 

Fact Sheet was not fully completed.
Minimal effort in completing the  information fact sheet  about your planet and topic that was assigned. Fact sheet was complete; however, some answers were not correct.
Fact sheet was complete.  Most facts were correct; however, no extra effort or facts were added.  It was only the basic facts needed
Fact Sheet was complete.  Facts were correct and there were facts over and beyond what was expected.


BILLBOARD

POSTER
Beginning

5
Developing

10
Accomplished

15

Exemplary

20


 

Create a Billboard that will convince people to visit your Planet

 

 

Is messy

Incomplete

Not eye cathing
Missing two of the categories in the exemplary category
Is missing one of the key factors in the exemplary category.
Eye catching

Slogan

Nickname

Pictures of Attractions

Identifies what you need to bring

Colorful

5 facts about the planet

SKIT
Beginning
0
Developing
14
Accomplished
16
Exemplary
20

 

Create a skit, commerial, or play convincing your classmates to visit your planet.
No skit was prepared.


Skit can be between 0-14 if it is barely done and if it is extremely unprepared.
Can be missing 3 aspects of the exemplary skit factors.

Very difficult to follow.

At the end of the skit, we aren't sure that we would ever go there.

Little to no excitement about planet.


Can be missing 2 aspects of the exemplary skit factors.
Entertaining

Creative

5 Key Facts about Planet

What should we bring?

Props

Gravity

Easy to understand

Attractions

Very well thought out and very entertaining.

Makes you want to visit the planet
(excited)


 

 


Process

To Accomplish this assignment, each of you will be assigned to a role and you will have a task to complete.

  1. First you'll be assigned to a team of 4 students
  2. Each of you will have a role to play and key facts that need to be identified:
  • Composition Executive
    • What is the planet made of?
    • What is the atmosphere like?
    • What would it be like if you were to go there?
    • Could you stand there?
  • Measurement Executive 
    • What is the gravity compared to Earth?
    • How much would a 100 pound person weigh there?
    • What is the size of the planet?
    • What is the distance from Earth?
    • How long would it take to get there?
  • Moon Executive       
    • Does the planet have any moons?
    • How many moons does it have?
    • Give 2 facts about at least 2 of the most popular moons.
    • If the planet does not have any moons, there will not be a moon executive
  • Travel Executive (may be 2 students) 
    • How many trips have been taken to your planet?
    • Identify key missions.
    • Are there any missions planned to visit your planet?
    • What are some activities that may be able to be done there?
    • Planet's Nickname
  • Forecast Executive
    • What is the climate like there?
    • What would a normal day be like?
    • How long is the rotation?
    • How long is a rotation?
    • How old would you be there?

    3.  Group members will collaborate and work on the poster together in the                     classroom on the second or third day depending on how the assignment is             done.

    4.  Students will work on the billboard poster and the skit/commerial for a total             of 3 days.


Lesson Organization:

  • Time Frame  (approximately 6 days)
    • 2 Class Periods in the Library
    • 3 Class Periods in the Classroom
      • 1 for Poster
      • 2 for Skit Preparation

  • Math will be included in order to calculate distance, weight, and others

  • Groups
    • Groups of 3 or 4 and they could be chosen at random or teacher selected depending on group of students.
    • Mercury and Venus can have less students if need be because they have no moons.

  • Needed Skills:
    • Computer Effeciency
    • Classroom Management
    • Easy to navigate for any teacher.
    • Lots of Supervision is needed to keep students on task.

Variations

If need be, students can work on lessons independently and do one poster.  However, a group may be best for this situation.  Also, the skit can be taken out.

 


Resources Needed

  • Astronomy Textbook (~30)
  • Computers (~30)
  • Internet
  • Astronomy Books
  • Computer Printer
  • Adapted Materials
  • White Poster Paper
  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Glue
  • Props for Skit
  • 1 Teacher
    • Preparation:
      • Internet Ready Computers
      • Printer Ready and Working
           
                  Useful Websites


                    
Check out the NASA website for important information

                               Look at your Astronomy Book Online

                               NASA Planet Link

                              Quick Facts About Planets

                              Want to Learn Easy Facts About your Planets

                              What's Your Weight?

                               What's Your Age?




Evaluation

  • Worksheet for role in research in the computer lab.
  • Poster - group grade
  • Skit - group grade
  • Refer to the Rubric below


You may want to just copy and paste the evaluation section of the student page into this space and add any clarifications needed for another teacher to make use of this lesson.


Conclusion

Congratulations!  You have fully explored your planet.  Now imagine if we could really go there.  It may happen someday.  Maybe even in your lifetime.  What an exciting time that would be!


Credits & References

Pictures from Webshots

Holt, Reinhardt, Winston Astronomy Book


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