 You will be gathering information about all of the planets and the sun based off of questions I give you.  You will record all of your findings in a group notebook to use as your reference later on.  After you have gathered all of your information your group will make a miniature version (replica) of our solar system  You will present it to the class and it will be displayed in the classroom to show what you have learned.

1.First, get in groups of 3-4 (depending on class size) 2.Second, you will give each person an assignment to do:  Leader: Responsible for exploring websites given by me to gather information.  Recorder: Writes down all of the information that the leader finds.  Artist: Will be in charge of how the replica will be designed. *Note- All group members can help one another, but each person is responsible for their individual assignment.

Third, You will begin your search on the internet finding out: 3.Third, You will begin your search on the internet finding out:  How big is the sun?  You will find out how big each planet is. ( Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Earth).  What is the planet made out of?  You will find out how far away each planet is from the sun and the planet in front of it. (For example. How far away Earth is from Venus)  Then you will give one fact about each planet. ( For example. How many rings Jupiter has).

These are some of the websites you can use. It does not matter which ones you use or which order you choose to view the websites. NO WIKIPEDIA!!! *These are some of the websites you can use. It does not matter which ones you use or which order you choose to view the websites. NO WIKIPEDIA!!! o system/en/ system/en/ system/en/ o m m m o ry/samoset/psgk3ex.htm ry/samoset/psgk3ex.htm ry/samoset/psgk3ex.htm o -you may watch any video on this website.

As you go along your recorder will write down all of the information that the leader finds. 4. After you have found all of your information the artist will decide what kind of model you want to make. Here is a website to see some models to choose from: projects-for-kids/ projects-for-kids/

Your model must include:  The sun, and all eight planets.  Accurate colors of the planets ( for instance, the Earth is made up of water and land so it would be blue and green).  A description of the planets i.e. the size, how far away it is from the sun, etc. (Refer to the notes the recorder took). *Be creative!

5.Lastly, your group will be presenting your findings to the class and your model will be displayed for everyone to see. In your presentation your group will go over:  How far away each planet is from the sun.  One fact about each planet.  How big the planet is. and  What the planet is made out of. *All ELL and students with learning disabilities have these two websites to go to for visuals. Students will be given extra time if needed if I see that they do not understand. Unfortunately there are no sites specifically designed for ELLs and students with learning disabilities for this activity so I will be there for any extra help. projects-for-kids/

PointsExceptional 5pts.Satisfactory 4-3ptsUnsatisfactory 2-0pts ModelThe model is accurate in how the planet looks. It has all of the information required and is creative The model is somewhat accurate, but does not have all of the information and lacks creativity The model is not accurate and does not have all of the information and isn’t creative PresentationAll of the group members participated in presenting and talked well. Not all group members participate. Little talking done. Group members did not participate and presented poorly. ParticipationAll of the group members did their roles in the group as well as helped each other out in organizing the model. Some of the group members did their roles and some helped out. Some of the group members did their role. Little interaction with each other.

After completing this activity you will have learned about our solar system and all of the different characteristic of our planet and the sun. You will have also learned to work in a group setting. You are welcome to look at your models once this project is over if you need refreshing on the solar system.