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

Title:  Solar System Search
Subject:  Science
Grade Level:  4

Overview:  Students become familiar with the various characteristics of the planets.

Purpose:  To enable the students to compare and contrast the planets and draw conclusions about the possibility of man exploring the planets an/or inhabiting the planets.

Resources and Materials:  Science text book, Discovering Science, pages 300-307.

Internet Address:  http://www.kidsastronomy.com/

Activities: 
1.  Read and discuss pages 300-307, noting the differences and similarities between the planets.
2.  Have each student choose a planet name from a grab bag, and tell them that we will be doing planet research on the web.  Provide a worksheet for them to record the planet facts that you want them to find.
3.  Access the Website “Fun with Astronomy.”
4.  Instruct the students to click on Solar system, then click on their planet name and read to find and record the necessary information.
5.  As they finish recording their information, they can return to the opening page by clicking on “Fun with Astronomy” at the top of the page.  They can then access a variety of games that are listed on the left side of the page such as hangman, memory, etc.  On this same page, they can also click on Make a Planet and design their own planet.

Evaluation:  Completion of Planet Facts worksheet