Valerie Haber

EDSL 332
Winter 2015
The Solar System
(4 classes)
Groups of 4 students
Grade: Grade 6-Secondary 1 ESL
Goal: Develop ideas, demonstrate creative thinking, research and work together as
a group (while exploring the universe!).
Date:
Class 1

Task:
-Assign groups of four based
on cue cards done at the
beginning of the year.
-Create your own
mnemonic! Students will
discuss & produce their own
mnemonic based on the one
we learned in class previously.
-Choosing your planets &
display; each member will
choose two planets to do their
research on, as a group they
will decide how they will
present their project.

Evaluation:
C1

Class 2

Research; Computer Lab

-Distribute comprehension
questions. Each student has
chosen two planets. They will
complete the comprehension
questions during class, and
write paragraphs for their
project.
-Computer research using
3 websites.
http://www.planetsforkids.org/
planet-mercury.html
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/k
ids/
http://kids.nineplanets.org/intr
o.htm
When/if complete; begin
writing your final draft.
Finish your research if
necessary.
Bring items for display next
class.

C1, C2

Homework

Class 3

Homework
Class 4

Final draft & create your

display
-Each member must fill out
their final draft. Their final
draft will consist of 1
mnemonic, and 8 different
paragraphs for each planet.
Projects due next class!
Prepare to present your
displays.
Project presentation.
There will be three waves of
groups. Each student who did
not present will have to ask
one question and fill out the
answer on the handout (which
will count towards their
project grade).
Projects, mnemonic and final
drafts of the comprehension
questions in paragraph form
will be handed in today.

No evaluation
necessary, however C1
can always be done.

C1, C2, C3

Solar System Project

Groups of 4
Due date: April 20th, 2015
What you will hand in and include in your display
1) One mnemonic per group
Class time: draft, if complete- create your final.
Homework: one final version for your display

2) Two paragraphs based on your chosen planet, 50-75 words each

Class time: comprehensive questions and research time in the computer lab
using these three websites
a) www.planetsforkids.org/planet-mercury.html
b) www. solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids/
c)www. kids.nineplanets.org/intro.htm
*Using other sites? See me.
Homework: type your paragraphs using your research.
3) One choice of display
Class time: one class will be dedicated to making your display with your
group.
Homework: finish your display for April 20th.
a) Electronic (PowerPoint, Prezi...), include a printed version in a duo-tang.

b) Poster Projects include all text and pictures on the poster.

c) 3D display (Box, Mobile), include a printed version in a duo-tang.

The Solar System: C1 Evaluation (Class 1 - 4)

CATEGORY
Vocabulary

4
Uses enriched
vocabulary that is
appropriate for the
class, often takes
risk with the
language.

3
Attempts to use
enriched
vocabulary that is
appropriate for the
class, takes risk
with the language.

2
Uses vocabulary
that is appropriate
for the class, rarely
takes risks with
the language.

1
Uses vocabulary
that is
inappropriate for
the class, does not
take risks with the
language.

Comprehension

Student is able to
accurately answer
almost all
questions posed
by
classmates/teache
r about the topic.
Always listens to,
shares with, and
supports the
efforts of others in
the group. Tries to
keep people
working well
together.

Student is able to
accurately answer
most questions
posed by
classmates/teache
r about the topic.

Student is able to
accurately answer
a few questions
posed by
classmates/teache
r about the topic.

Student is unable
to accurately
answer questions
posed by
classmates/teache
r about the topic.

Usually listens to,

shares with, and
supports the
efforts of others in
the group.

Often listens to,

shares with, and
supports the
efforts of others in
the group but
sometimes is not a
good team
member.

Rarely listens to,

shares with, and
supports the
efforts of others in
the group. Often is
not a good team
member.

Collaboration with
Peers

The Solar System: C2 Evaluation (After class 4)

4

Identifies facts

CATEGORY

Student accurately
explains at least 4
facts asked for and
gives a clear
explanation.

Student accurately
explains 3 facts and
gives a reasonable
explanation. .

Student accurately
explains 2 facts.
Explanation is weak.

Student has difficulty

explaining facts.

Identifies opinions

Student accurately
expresses 2 opinions
and gives a clear
explanation.

Student accurately
expresses at least 1
opinion and gives a
reasonable
explanation.

Student accurately
locates at least 1
opinion. Explanation
is weak.

Student has difficulty

expressing opinions.

The Solar System: C3 Evaluation (After class 4)

CATEGORY

Graphics -Clarity

Graphics are all in

focus and the content
easily viewed and
understood.

Most graphics are in

focus and the content
easily viewed and
understood.

Most graphics are in Many graphics are not

focus and the content clear or are too small.
is easily viewed and
understood.

Graphics - Originality

Several of the
graphics used on the
display reflect a
exceptional degree of
student creativity in
their creation and/or
display.
The poster includes
all required elements
as well as additional
information.

One or two of the

graphics used on the
display reflect student
creativity in their
creation and/or
display.

The graphics are

No graphics made by
made by the student, the student are
but are based on the included.
designs or ideas of
others.

Required Elements

All required elements All but 1 of the

Several required
are included on the
required elements are elements were
poster.
included on the
missing.
poster.

Grammar

There are less than 10 There are less than 15 There are less than 20 There are more than
grammatical
grammatical
grammatical
30 grammatical
mistakes.
mistakes.
mistakes.
mistakes.

Use of Class Time

Used time well during

each class period.
Focused on getting
the project done.
Never distracted
others.

Mnemonic:

/5

Ask & Answer Assignment:

Total:

Used time well during

each class period.
Usually focused on
getting the project
done and never
distracted others.

/50

/5

Used some of the

time well during each
class period. There
was some focus on
getting the project
done but occasionally
distracted others.

Did not use class time

to focus on the project
OR often distracted
others.

Solar System Project

Group Form (Class 1)
Hand in one per group
Due date: April 20th, 2015

A. Group members:
1)___________________________________
2)___________________________________
3)___________________________________
4)___________________________________
B. Each member must choose two planets. The sun will not be included.
Planets

Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
C.

Choice of display

Electronic ____
*Must be e-mailed to me before class
Poster Project ____
3D Display ____

Name

Group:
Class 1

Solar System Mnemonic

My Very Excited Mother Just Served Us
Nachos
Mercur M
y
Venus

Earth

Mars

Jupiter J
Saturn S
Uranus U

Neptu
ne

Name:
Date:

Mercury (Class 2)
Draft
-Answer in full sentences!
-Resources from the 3 sites.

Questions
1) Describe this planet
using three adjectives:
2) Describe its
distance from the Sun,
and from Earth:
3) Where does
Mercury get its name
from?
4) Describe the
planet's atmosphere:
5) In your opinion, will
humans one day live
on Mercury? Explain.

Answers

6) What was the best

new fact that you
learned about this
planet? Explain.

Name:
Date:

Venus (Class 2)
Draft
-Answer in full sentences!
-Resources from the 3 sites.

Questions
1) Describe this
planet using three
adjectives:
2) Where does
Venus get its name
from?
3) Describe an orbit.
How many times
does Venus orbit
the Sun?
4) Describe the
planet's
atmosphere:

Answers

5) In your opinion,
will humans one
day live on Venus?
Explain.
6) What was the
best new fact that
you learned about
this planet? Explain.

Name:
Date:

Earth (Class 2)

Draft
-Answer in full sentences!
-Resources from the 3 sites.

Questions
1) Describe this
planet using three
adjectives:
2) What makes Earth
different compared to
other planets?
Explain in detail using
your resources.
3) Explain Earth's
geological activity:

Answers

4) How many days

does it take the Earth
to orbit the sun?
Explain the Leap Year.
5) How far is the
Earth from the Sun?
6) What was the best
new fact that you
learned about this
planet? Explain.
Name:
Date:

Mars (Class 2)
Draft
-Answer in full sentences!
-Resources from the 3 sites.

Questions
1) Describe this planet
using three adjectives:
2) Name and explain
two similarities
between Mars and
Earth:
3) Does Mars have a
protective layer?

Answers

4) Describe the
planet's atmosphere:
5) In your opinion, will
humans one day live
on Mars? Explain.
6) What was the best
new fact that you
learned about this
planet? Explain.

Name:
Date:

Jupiter (Class 2)

Draft
-Answer in full sentences!
-Resources from the 3 sites.

Questions
1) Describe this
planet using three
adjectives:
2) What makes
Jupiter special?

Answers

3) Explain the storms

that happen on
Jupiter. Who
discovered the first?
How?
4) Describe the
planet's atmosphere:
5) In your opinion,
will humans one day
live on Jupiter?
Explain.
6) What was the best
new fact that you
learned about this
planet? Explain.

Name:
Date:

Saturn (Class 2)
Draft
-Answer in full sentences!
-Resources from the 3 sites.

Questions
1) Describe this planet using
three adjectives:
2) Explain Saturn's rings.
What are they made of?
How many are there?

Answers

3) Where does Saturn get its

name from?
4) Describe the planet's
atmosphere:
5) In your opinion, will
humans one day live on
Mercury? Explain.
6) What was the best new
fact that you learned about
this planet? Explain.

Name:
Date:

Uranus (Class 2)
Draft
-Answer in full sentences!
-Resources from the 3 sites.

Questions
1) Describe this planet using
three adjectives:
2) Who was Uranus first
seen by? Explain the
process.

Answers

3) Explain the link between

Shakespeare and Uranus.
4) Describe the planet's
atmosphere:
5) In your opinion, will
humans one day live on
Uranus? Explain.
6) What was the best new
fact that you learned about
this planet? Explain.

Name:
Date:

Neptune (Class 2)
Draft
-Answer in full sentences!
-Resources from the 3 sites.

Questions
1) Describe this planet using
three adjectives:
2) Can humans see
Neptune? Why/why not?

Answers

3) What is Neptune
composed of? Which other
three planets are also made
of this?
4) Describe the planet's
atmosphere:
5) In your opinion, will
humans one day live on
Neptune? Explain.
6) What was the best new
fact that you learned about
this planet? Explain.

Name:

Ask & Answer

Class 4

/5

-Write your question

-Write the detailed answer
- One per round (2 total)

Question:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Answer:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Appropriate question and answer /2.5

Question:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Answer:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Appropriate question and answer /2.5