Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123
Curriculum Mini-Lessons
Created as part of the 2004-2005 Classroom Mini-Grant Program

Title:    Our Solar System
Subject:    Science
Grade Level:    First

Overview:
    Students will create the Solar System in a document by finding graphics of the sun, the nine planets and the moon. The students will also label each planet.

Purpose:
    To review student knowledge about our Solar System.

Resources and Materials:
    Inspiration licensed software, iTView, picture books about space, Sun, Moon and Stars written by Stephanie Turnbull, and Solar System written by Gregory Vogt

Activities:
    1. Gather the whole group of students to review the stories Sun, Moon and Stars and Solar System.
    2. Ask review questions about the Solar System.
    3. List the names of planets and other objects found in the Solar System.
    4. In the Computer Lab, have students click on the Macintosh HD and go to the Inspiration software. Double click to open program.
    5. Students should type in the first box, SPACE and their name.
    6. Students can then select a graphic by changing the category to Space. Allow students to select the graphic they would like for the title.  The graphic should automatically take the place of the existing box.
    7. Instruct students to click Create, then tell them to click the mouse inside the page to open a new text box.
    8. Ask students which object is in the center of the Solar System. Once students identify the Sun as the center of the Solar System, have them type the word in the new box.
    9. Instruct students to examine the graphic choices for the picture of the Sun. When they find it they should click it to change the text box.
     10.  Once again have students click Create and then click in the page to open a new text box. Continue by adding the nine planets and the Earth’s Moon.
    11. After the students have added the planets and the Moon to their document, demonstrate on the iView how they can click the item and drag it to arrange the items on their page in the correct order.
    12. When students are finished, print the final product.

Evaluation:
    Review of student’s computer creation to check for understanding.