Educator+Teaching+Materials

Earth Space Science Lesson Plan 7th grade Science

Classroom Teacher: Harvey Wallbanger Media Specialist: Jenny Herron

Date of Activity: November 8 – 15

Strategy: Develop knowledge of individual planet, present argument for inclusion or exclusion of Pluto in our solar system. Activity: View video: Space Describes the dwarf planet** pluto **and the 2006 International Astronomical Union's guidelines for the classification of a planet. The program notes that **pluto** is the second largest dwarf planet in the solar system. For Metacognition post video: Teacher will lead discussion on if the students remember when Pluto was a planet and what they thought when they heard the news that it was no longer considered a planet. What is it now? Who decides these things? Does it have to do with where Pluto is or what it's made of? Is it similar to earth?

Use **iPad NASA app**, create **Prezi page** for classroom viewing Teacher and Medial Specialist will demonstrate on smart board.

Metacognition: How much time will it take to create this? What are the most important elements to present?

Introduction: November 8 – view Discovery Streaming video on Pluto and its recent development; discussion to follow. What do you know about Pluto? Each class member will choose one solar system planet, research its characteristics based on what makes a planet (video), and develop a Prezi presentation to introduce his or her planet, its specifications, and an argument on why Pluto should or should not be readmitted to the solar system as a planet, based on its specifications.

Media Specialist will introduce use of iPad with NASA app, and Planet app Demonstrate the usage of each.

Determine past knowledge: discuss why Pluto was a planet before and what happened. Perhaps teacher can relate the status of the space program when he/she was in 7th grade.

Resources: Textbook, streaming video, NASA apps on Ipad and websites, Prezi.com. Classroom Work, November 9 - 12: check validity of websites brought in from homework; monitor use of ipad, discuss requirements for project, including makeup of planet, etc.. comparing and contrasting, revolution range, specifications. Media Center, November 9-12: Media specialist aids students in developing Prezi presentation – encourages that requirements are included and helps students plan their argument. Presentation: November 13 – 15: Students will present Prezis during classtime, and argue for or against Pluto’s status. Keep tab of inclusion/exclusion arguments to decide who wins. Evaluation: Students will give feedback on 2 other students’ presentations and arguments’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as reevaluate their own presentations’ strengths and weaknesses, based on rubric.

Earth Space Science – Grade 12 Defense of Pluto’s Status Teacher: Colleen Silkwood Media Specialist: Jenny Herron Time: November 9 through November 16

Introduction: You will form a team of ambassadors from the solar system and present at a model U.N. hearing your case for or against the reinstatement of Pluto as a full planet. Each team member will represent one celestial body: a planet, meteor, star, or comet. Each member will fully describe his or her origins, discoverer, chemical makeup, orbit rotation and revolution. One member of the team must discuss the circumstances surrounding Pluto’s dismissal from the system, and any current or subsequent research that will support or refute that dismissal. Based on each celestial body’s own makeup and history, the inclusion or exclusion of Pluto as a plant must be supported. Your team should be familiar with [|Parliamentary Procedure] in order to properly address the model U.N. Each member will present a Prezi to describe his or her own specifications. This hearing will take place on the last day of the assignment, November 16. November 9th: In class, view Discovery streaming video, discussion to follow. Select teams of 12, select each team member’s identification as celestial figure. Decide each team’s moderator, or who will describe Pluto’s demise. Be prepared to cite your sources in support of your data.

Metacognition: How does the UN work? Is a comet in the same orbit as a planet? Why should we care about this?

November 10-12: In class, in media center in groups and on own: Research on individual projects and work on Prezi. Media specialist will aid on Ipad use and Prezi instructions. Construct identifications and argument using the iPad NASA app, textbook, and sanctioned websites. Be sure to use planetary content as well as orbital and revolution data to support arguments.

November 12: Practice Parliamentary procedure in classroom to prepare for Monday’s hearing. Perform walk through of protocol, and test smart board projector for Prezi presentations.

November 16: Presentations within model UN hearing conducted by Secretary General Silkwood (teacher). Prezi introductions and vote to be taken on Pluto’s status.

Evaluation: Students will complete self-evaluation page by November 17. Team will discuss completion of rubric and requirements on that day in class time to determine strengths and weaknesses. Teacher will grade by rubric.

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Series: [School&Nty=1&D=Space School&N=0&blnSearchInit=1|Space School]

The Planets of Our Solar SystemWe live on just one of hundreds of rocky planets. Earth is part of a solar system that consists of plants, moons, satellites, and rings which are joined by comets, asteroids and dust. © 2002 Discovery Education Grade(s) 6-8, 9-12