RV: The Earth in the Solar System

 

My Didactic Unit: The Earth in the Solar System

This unit is the first one on the fourth grade of Primary in the subject of Social Science. It is an attractive lesson because children of eight and nine years old love so much the space and the planets. They are very curious in this topic.

I have considered the following learning outcomes:

• To indentify and name the eight planets in the Solar System.
• To classify the planets in closer and further than the Sun.
• To know the two movements of the Earth.
• To know how the day, the night and the seasons are taken place.
• To distinguish the three layers of the Earth.
• To identify the satellite of the Earth and its phases.
• And above all, to value L2.

The contents are:

• The Sun and the eight planets
• The Earth´s movements: rotation and revolution
• The Moon´s phases.
• Layers of the Earth

The final tasks are:

• Role playing in groups: each one is a Solar System and students will explain the caracteristics of each planet.
• A handicraft (of foam) marking the layers of the Earth.

I will make use of seven sessions of an hour.

• In the first session the students are asked for their knowledge about the name of the planets and the seasons using songs (songs are motivational for the children). We will explain that the Solar System is made up of the Sun (a big star), eight planets and other celestial bodies. They can see the orbits with a video and the different characteristics of the planets (if they are nearer and further than the Sun) with an informative video and a song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVVfALI4MxU  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8aBZZnv6y8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=92&v=RJ2bQWH6GCM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=37&v=ymUHlV074OQ

• During the second session let us talk about the learning last day in pairs and answering questions:
 Then they will create a Solar System on line. (We don't can forget the presence of a digital board and tablets in the classroom) Also they will draw a Solar System. If they have enough time they can learn more with another video (extension activity)

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/fun/make-a-solar-system.htm

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/activity/solar-system-6-studyjams-interactive-science-activities

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm

• In the third session children lets us talk about the learning last days and the will play on line to identify the different planets. Also they will learn about the two movements of The Earth with videos (rotation and revolution and what they cause: day/night and the seasons). At home they can visit the video to make this experiment with their family to know how is the day and how is the night: I will ask for them which is the satellite of the Earth and let us watch a video about the phases of the moon.

http://www.softschools.com/science/space/solar_system_kids_games/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDed5eXmngE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksGiLaIx39c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VwLOR0m6mQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQRNzepe4wI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWeaQctUp1c

• In the fourth session we will remember the contents with questions. And we will watch a video of the first man on the moon (a real document):
 Children will listen a text to complete on their notebook, they will do a puzzle of The Earth in pairs and we will watch a video about the layers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaYHa7CX_vM

http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/earth_day/games/planetearthjigsawpuzzle/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=65&v=o1PzX_Mq7ug

• In the fifth session they will complete a diagram of main contents (mind map) and a match exercise on the notebook. Then they will have fun making a handicraft (the first final task) with these instructions:

1. Colour the foam ball with  felt-pens: Brown for the Geosphere, blue for the Hydrosphere and white for the atmosphere.
2. Label the layers with small sticks and play-dough.

 • The sixth session will be role-playing (the second final task). In small group listen to the song and write sentences of each planet to prepare the perform:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=37&v=ymUHlV074OQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=92&v=RJ2bQWH6GCM

 • At last, I will use a seventh session to do a test about the topic:

• What is the Solar System made up?
• Draw the Solar System. Then name the planets and colour the cosest planets red and the furthest ones blue.
• What are the two movements of the Earth? What do the cause?
• Name the seasons.
• What´s the name of the satellite of the Earth?
• Draw the phases os the Moon.
• What are the different layer os the Earth?

And a self assesment: Do you understand the lesson…..

1. Excellent?
2. Ok?
3. Not very well?

LINK

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rQ8cavNEcz21u8fhlguMx7ufZNxT0hKW

Teacher2.docx drive.google.com

Olga Mesías Zafra