Kings Park Elementary

Planet X

	The teacher created a large data retrieval chart and students used it to post information they collected during read-alouds and exploration of science materials.
The first letter from the PEACE organization was introduced inviting students to view a confidential report from NASA on Planet X.	The confidential report was reviewed.

Using the confidential report, a group data retrieval chart was filled out and details were added to the class chart.
Students began to prepare their presentations comparing Planet X and Planet Earth.
Some student groups created a poster and read their report.
Some groups created their own version of a Venn diagram. They moved resources from one planet to the other, as they compared.	Another group created a short skit.
This group wrote and performed a puppet play.
A second letter was received from PeACE thanking the students for the information that they had passed along about Planet X and Earth. The folks at PeACE asked students to recommend minimum requirements that Earthlings would have if they had to vacate Earth and move to a totally new planet. More research followed with trade books, software and videos.
Students log on to Discovery Works and watch a video about resources.
Then they keep notes in the program's "Science Notebook."
Students created collages showing forms of energy.
They used classrooms trade books to gather additional information.
Finally, one class created dioramas showing requirements for a habitable planet.

Page created by Michelle Crabill and Brooks Widmaier
May 11, 2002