Solar System Lesson Plans

Endorsement

Elementary School- Fourth grade

Subject

Science

Class

4th grade science

Unit

Space

Lesson

Solar System

Resources

Print: Textbook, Books checked out from

the library
Non Print: Websites, Pictures

Standard

This lesson plan will fulfill the LPS

standard for science under the objective of
space. After this lesson students will be
able to successfully name and describe
parts of the solar system.

Introduction

This project will allow the understanding of the

planets that make up our solar system.
Students will be able to research planets in
small groups and form a better understanding
of each one. Students will be able to identify
different physical characteristics of each planet
as well as where it is located in the solar
system by learning from their classmates
presentations. In order for students to get the
most out of this assignment each student will
need to actively participate in their groups
planet presentation and will also need to be
observant and take notes of other groups
presentations.

Technology Uses/Materials

Students will need at least one laptop or

computer per group. With this the students will
be able to research their assigned planet on pre
approved websites and access the popplet to
create their presentation.

Objectives

Objective 1: Assign groups of 4 to pick out

a planet from the solar system that they will
become experts at.
Objective 2: Research particular planet and
know prominent information.

Objective 3: Resite key facts about planet

to teach classmates the essentials on that
planet.
Objective 4: Using popplet to organize key
details and facts and use it as a teaching
tool to enhance learning for fellow
classmates.
Preparing the Student

To prepare for this lesson students will

need to research information about their
planet, know and understand its role in the
solar system, and gain an outside
perspective in unfamiliar environment.

Assessment of Student Learning

Students will be learning through all of the

stages of Blooms Taxonomy:

Create: Students will use

everything they have
obtained and create a
presentation using Popplet
for the class.
Evaluate: Students will need
to evaluate their group
members work, their own
work, and the information in
which they are receiving
from their sources.
Analyze: Students will
analyze key information
about their specific planet.
They will unknowingly be
comparing it to Earth.
Apply: Students will need to
apply the information that
they have already have in
order to teach fellow
classmates about their
planet. They will use
Popplet to create a unique
visual tool to enhance their
teaching.
Understand: Students must
understand the assignment,

their planet, and how in

different areas of the solar
system, there may be
different components.
Remember: Students will
first need to remember the
differences between
different planets as they
listen to other groups
presentations.
Overall, students will learn by doing. Many
of them have the basic tools to in turn
broaden their knowledge and the
knowledge of fellow students. In order to
get the most out of this project, students
need to participate by observing others
presentations as well.

Lesson Sequence

1. Students in the 4th grade will

enhance their knowledge on the
solar system we live in.
2. Groups of 4 will be researching a
specific planet specific to their
group.
3. Students will choose a planet once
placed in a group.
4. From there, students will begin to
make presentations (Popplets) in
which they incorporate information
they obtain by researching their
planet.
5. What they need to include (but are
not limited to):
a. A picture of their planet
b. Color
c. Rings?
d. Distance from the sun?
e. Size?
f. Moons?
g. Temperature?
6. For each part of this presentation,

students will need to include text

and pictures using a Popplet Map.
They will include their information in
their Popplet enhancing the
learning experience for fellow
classmates.
7. Students will need to create an
account on Popplet to
collaboratively work on their project
in teams.
8. The teams will each do the 7+ parts
of the requirement together.
9. Students will incorporate all of the
requirements into their Popplet and
present information to the class.
Measurement of Success

Success in this project will be measured on

how well the students spent their time in
class researching their planet. They will be
graded on how well they collaborated in
their groups to make the Popplet. This
project can be useful in the future using the
knowledge they gained and after observing
each others presentations can analyze
planet to planet.