The Solar System and Pluto: Is Pluto a Planet?
The Solar System and Pluto: Is Pluto a Planet?
A WebQuest for 5th Grade (Science)
Designed by
Kaitlyn Boik
[email protected]
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page
Introduction
What scientists know about the solar system changes all the time. Three years ago there were nine planets and now there are only eight. What happened?
Pluto was first found in 1930. It was called a planet until 2006. That year a group of scientists renamed it a dwarf planet. Not everyone agrees with this change. You are part of a group of scientists chosen to look over their decision. After looking at the facts, you will decide as a group what Pluto should be called and present your ideas.
The Task
You and your classmates will be put into groups of four. Look up facts about our planets. You should pay close attention to things like color, shape, and size. You can also write down anything different you find. You should be able to place the planets in order from the sun. Next, research Pluto. Find facts and opinions about whether or not it is a planet. As a group, decide whether you think Pluto should still be our ninth planet. Create a poster board explaining why or why not and include your comparisons of the planets.
The Process
1. Get into groups of four.
2. Find information like color, shape, and size for each planet in our solar system.
-NASA Science web page
- Planet Facts
-Astro physics
3. Find information on what makes a planet a planet.
- Wiki definition of a planet
4. What facts and opinions surround whether or not Pluto is a planet?
- Science for Kids
-Space place
- Kid cosmos
- Universe today
5. Discuss in your groups whether or not you believe Pluto should still be considered a planet. How will you convince your classmates to join your side?
6. Create a poster board showing comparisons between each of the planets. Include your information about each one.
7. Create a section showing the facts and opinions about Pluto as a planet that your group found.
8. Include on the poster board, your groups' decision for Pluto's position of being a planet.
9. Prepare to present your poster board and discuss the information you found on each planet. What does Pluto have or not have that justifies your groups' decision? Try to convince your classmates of your group's final decision.
Evaluation
This is how your work will be evaluated.
Beginning
1
Developing
2
Qualified
3
Exemplary
4
Score
Have information about what makes a planet?
Has none or opinions about planets.
Has one fact about what makes a planet.
Has two to three facts about planets.
Has four or more facts about planets.
Have information about Pluto.
Has none or opinions about Pluto.
Has on fact that describes Pluto.
Has two to three facts about Pluto.
Has four or more facts about planets.
Create a poster board.
Has a poster with a title and name.
Has a poster with information on both planets and Pluto.
Has a poster with information on both in an organized manner. Includes one of the following: opinion or comparison.
Has a poster with information on both in an organized manner. Includes their opinion and comparison of the two.
Presentation
Was present with poster and went in front of the class.
Presented their idea and included information about either the planets or Pluto.
Presented their poster. Including information about planets and pluto. Also included one of the following: opinion or comparison.
Presented their poster with information on both, their opinion and comparison.
Organization
Had a poster. Turned in.
Had a poster with all information. turned in.
Had a poster with distinct areas for each. Clearly understood. Turned in.
Had a poster with distinct areas for each. Clearly understood. Turned in on time.
Group work.
Not everyone participated.
Everyone did individual work.
Individual work and group work both done.
Everyone participated and brought ideas together in a good manner.
Conclusion
Right now, many scientists disagree on whether Pluto should be a planet. As we learn more about our solar system the definition of a plant may change. Maybe you will make a discovery one day that will change what we know about planets!
Credits & References
http://nerdgirltalking.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/pluto-planet.jpg
http://haysvillelibrary.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/pluto.jpg
http://www.aerospaceguide.net/solar_system/solar_system.jpg
http://helensguidetothegalaxy.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/001-solar_system-my-fantasy.jpg
http://ed101.bu.edu/StudentDoc/current/ED101fa08/ecstora/solar%20system.jpg
Permissions
We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is granted for others to use and modify this WebQuest for educational, non-commercial purposes as long as the original authorship is credited. The modified WebQuest may be shared only under the same conditions.
This WebQuest was created in QuestGarden
A WebQuest for 5th Grade (Science)
Designed by
Kaitlyn Boik
[email protected]
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page
Introduction
What scientists know about the solar system changes all the time. Three years ago there were nine planets and now there are only eight. What happened?
Pluto was first found in 1930. It was called a planet until 2006. That year a group of scientists renamed it a dwarf planet. Not everyone agrees with this change. You are part of a group of scientists chosen to look over their decision. After looking at the facts, you will decide as a group what Pluto should be called and present your ideas.
The Task
You and your classmates will be put into groups of four. Look up facts about our planets. You should pay close attention to things like color, shape, and size. You can also write down anything different you find. You should be able to place the planets in order from the sun. Next, research Pluto. Find facts and opinions about whether or not it is a planet. As a group, decide whether you think Pluto should still be our ninth planet. Create a poster board explaining why or why not and include your comparisons of the planets.
The Process
1. Get into groups of four.
2. Find information like color, shape, and size for each planet in our solar system.
-NASA Science web page
- Planet Facts
-Astro physics
3. Find information on what makes a planet a planet.
- Wiki definition of a planet
4. What facts and opinions surround whether or not Pluto is a planet?
- Science for Kids
-Space place
- Kid cosmos
- Universe today
5. Discuss in your groups whether or not you believe Pluto should still be considered a planet. How will you convince your classmates to join your side?
6. Create a poster board showing comparisons between each of the planets. Include your information about each one.
7. Create a section showing the facts and opinions about Pluto as a planet that your group found.
8. Include on the poster board, your groups' decision for Pluto's position of being a planet.
9. Prepare to present your poster board and discuss the information you found on each planet. What does Pluto have or not have that justifies your groups' decision? Try to convince your classmates of your group's final decision.
Evaluation
This is how your work will be evaluated.
Beginning
1
Developing
2
Qualified
3
Exemplary
4
Score
Have information about what makes a planet?
Has none or opinions about planets.
Has one fact about what makes a planet.
Has two to three facts about planets.
Has four or more facts about planets.
Have information about Pluto.
Has none or opinions about Pluto.
Has on fact that describes Pluto.
Has two to three facts about Pluto.
Has four or more facts about planets.
Create a poster board.
Has a poster with a title and name.
Has a poster with information on both planets and Pluto.
Has a poster with information on both in an organized manner. Includes one of the following: opinion or comparison.
Has a poster with information on both in an organized manner. Includes their opinion and comparison of the two.
Presentation
Was present with poster and went in front of the class.
Presented their idea and included information about either the planets or Pluto.
Presented their poster. Including information about planets and pluto. Also included one of the following: opinion or comparison.
Presented their poster with information on both, their opinion and comparison.
Organization
Had a poster. Turned in.
Had a poster with all information. turned in.
Had a poster with distinct areas for each. Clearly understood. Turned in.
Had a poster with distinct areas for each. Clearly understood. Turned in on time.
Group work.
Not everyone participated.
Everyone did individual work.
Individual work and group work both done.
Everyone participated and brought ideas together in a good manner.
Conclusion
Right now, many scientists disagree on whether Pluto should be a planet. As we learn more about our solar system the definition of a plant may change. Maybe you will make a discovery one day that will change what we know about planets!
Credits & References
http://nerdgirltalking.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/pluto-planet.jpg
http://haysvillelibrary.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/pluto.jpg
http://www.aerospaceguide.net/solar_system/solar_system.jpg
http://helensguidetothegalaxy.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/001-solar_system-my-fantasy.jpg
http://ed101.bu.edu/StudentDoc/current/ED101fa08/ecstora/solar%20system.jpg
Permissions
We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is granted for others to use and modify this WebQuest for educational, non-commercial purposes as long as the original authorship is credited. The modified WebQuest may be shared only under the same conditions.
This WebQuest was created in QuestGarden