Science
Lesson 8
Lesson Title: Discovering the Planets - Part 2
Synopsis:
Students will present their knowledge of the planets of our solar system by compiling a PowerPoint presentation. Students will work in groups of 2-3 and, using their research from Lesson 7: Discovering the Planets - Part 1, will download or draw images and write the text (captions) for one planet per group. All PowerPoint presentations will then be combined to create a one complete class presentation.
Authors: Valerie Ordway and Stefani Langol
Interdisciplinary Pairing:
- Primarily Science
- Secondary subjects include:
- Multimedia
- Technology
- Graphic Design (Art)
Objectives:
- Students, working in a group, will create a PowerPoint presentation for one planet
- Presentation should include information on the composition of a planet’s atmosphere, the range of temperatures on the surface, and the strength of its gravitational pull.
Intended Grade Level:
Middle School
Prior Knowledge & Skills:
- Students will have completed the first lesson in this series (Lesson 7: Discovering the Planets - Part 1) in which they researched facts about each planet. They will use the information on their data sheets. Students should also possess basic PowerPoint skills.
Equipment:
- Computer with PowerPoint or other slide show software
- Digital camera or scanner to scan printed photos.
- Optional: Digital photo editing software such as iPhoto, Photoshop Elements, etc.
Duration:
PowerPoint creation will take 3-4 class periods. The final presentation will take one more class period.
Materials:
- Completed data sheet.
- Drawing paper for student created images.
- Images of different planets which they have saved to a file for use in their PowerPoint.
Procedure:
- Review the diversity of each planet in our solar system.
- Divide students into groups of 2-3 and have each group select a specific planet in our solar system on which to present.
- Hand out assignment sheet on making a PowerPoint and the rubric for this assignment.
- Explain that once each group has compiled a PowerPoint with images and headings that give information on the conditions on the planet assigned to them, all the PowerPoint presentations will be collected and combined to create one complete class PowerPoint on the planets in our solar system.
Evaluation:
- Use attached rubric as a guideline for assessing student work.
Lesson Extension(s):
- Use the PowerPoint presentations from this lesson to complete Lesson 9.
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