Miss LaPierres Fourth Grade Science Class

In class we have been studying Astronomy. We have been focusing on the properties, movements and
locations of planet Earth, the Sun, and the Moon. Some of the things our class learned were the Earths
orbit, the tilt of Earths axis, the rotation of Earth results in
day and night. Also how the Sun affects Earth, the phases of
the Moon and the Moons effects on ocean tides.
To further our knowledge, you are to choose one of the four
planets that are listed and research it using the websites that
have been provided. You are expected to do the following.
1. Explain the properties of the planet (the type of
surface and atmosphere).
2. Discuss the location of the planet to the Sun.
3. Discuss the location of the planet to Earth.
4. Explain the orbit of the planet.
5. Find and share interesting facts about the planet.
After researching your planet, you are to create a Prezi to present your findings to the class.
General Information on Planets Everyone should visit Solar System 101 and choose one additional
site to visit.
**Solar System 101
Order of the 8 Planets
Planet Facts
Mercury

Venus

Kids Astronomy-Mercury
Britannica School-Mercury
Planet Notes-Mercury
Video about Mercury

Planets for Kids- Venus

Britannica School- Venus
Planet Notes-Venus
Video about Venus

Jupiter
Planets for Kids- Jupiter
Britannica School- Jupiter
Planet Notes- Jupiter
Fast Facts- Jupiter
Video about Jupiter

Saturn
Planets for Kids- Saturn
Britannica School- Saturn
Planet Notes- Saturn
Video about Saturn

Teacher Resource Page Reflection

I enjoyed creating the teacher resource page because I learned facts about the planets that I did not
previously know. A problem arose when beginning to create the resource page because of my field
placement. In my placement, I teach only math so this made it difficult to find a unit to create a resource
page for students to study a topic. I originally was going to have the students research mathematicians
who changed the way math has been taught, but that did not work because little information could be
found on this topic. To solve my problem, I had to pretend as if I were in a science class and chose a
topic that the class would study. Other than this, I did not have any other problems because finding
student-friendly information was easy. I will not be able to use this project this year during my student
teaching due to the fact that I am in a math only class. However, I will save this incase I ever have the
opportunity to teach fourth grade in the future. I do believe this type of activity is beneficial to students
because it allows them to research a topic more in depth, and learn information that is not covered with
the standards.