1. Third Grade Science Standard 1
Space Mission
Third Grade Science Standard 1

2. Your Mission What is the shape of the earth, the moon and the sun?
You are astronauts that have been given a mission to find out the answers to the following questions:
What is the shape of the earth, the moon and the sun?
Where does light come from?
Who moves, the earth, the moon or the sun and how?
List the differences in the physical appearance of Earth and the moon as viewed from space.
How does the shape and movement of these bodies affect you personally?

3. Process Divide your group of 6 into three teams
Each team will be responsible to access one of the websites listed later.
The team will work together to answer the questions and tasks involved in gathering the needed information from their site.
The teams will then join back together to share and evaluate the information gathered.
The group will then be responsible to create a model depicting the earth, moon and sun and how they move in relation to each other.
The group will then present their findings using their model to another class.

4. Evaluation
Your group will be graded according to the rubric given. Click and print a copy.
You will be given grades from yourself, your peers, and your teacher.

5. Ready for Take Off?
3…2…1…
Blast Off!

6. Websites Team One Click on the notepad and print the tasks page
Click on the icon below to get started-Have Fun!
Team Two
Click on the notepad and print the tasks page
Click on the icon below to get started-Have Fun!
Team Three
Click on the notepad and print the tasks page
Follow the instructions on the tasks page to access the World Book Encyclopedia article on the moon.

7. Ready to Land?
Now that you’ve obtained your information, gather as a group and discuss your findings.
Create a model using the materials of your choice depicting the earth, moon and sun and how they move in relation to each other.
As a group use your model to give an oral presentation of your finding to the rest of the class.
Be sure you can answer the questions listed in your mission!

8. Teacher Helps
You will need the following items available for the students to complete their mission:
Printer
Orange
Stick or similar item that can go through the orange
Marker

9. List of Websites
Website number 1:
Website number 2:
Website number 3 accessed through Pioneer Online Library: