An Adventure of a Lifetime

Introduction

    Are you ready for an adventure through our solar system?  Strap on your research safety belts and come along for the ride!  Usually when you travel to new places, you pick up a few postcards for friends and family and maybe a few for you to keep as souvenirs.  However, post cards just don't tell enough information about the places you visit.  As you visit the different planets and objects of the solar system, you'll be creating trading cards to share with your friends.

Task

    You and your partners will choose different planets and objects that are found in the solar system.  You will take detailed notes in your science notebook before you begin drafting informative trading card paragraphs on the computer.  All planets must be used, and each group member will choose one other solar system object (meteor, comet, the Sun, asteroids, the asteroid belt, etc.).

Interesting Facts to Learn about the Planets and Solar System Objects
gases that make up the planet the atmosphere
size color
distance from the sun landforms
orbit: length, amount of time to get around the sun once gravity strength
When was it discovered? Who discovered it?
how many satellites, if any other interesting facts that make your planet/object unique

 

Process

1.  Get together with your group.  Split up the planets and other solar system objects.

2.  Research your three things in depth, taking notes in your science notebook

        *library books

        *Internet Websites found on Mrs. Radway's website      

                    --Remember to look for headings on the websites that will help you locate information about your planet/object quickly.

3.  Write rough drafts of detailed, informative paragraphs compiling the research that you have done.

4.  Begin typing your paragraphs in the Word document Template that you saved in your home folder.

5.  Ice the cake!  Follow the instructions to insert ClipArt and WordArt to jazz up your trading cards.

6. Before printing, be sure that you "round-robin" revise/edit your paragraphs with your group.

7.  Exchange your trading cards so each person has a complete set!

 

Resources

 

Evaluation Rubric

  1 2 3 4
Research Habits and Note-Taking My notes in my notebook have been directly copied from the resource.  I have made no attempt at putting it in my own words that I understand. My notes in my notebook are sometimes in my own words.  I have included every detail from the resource without thinking about its importance. My notes in my notebook are mostly in my own words. My notes in my notebook are in my own words.
Planet Paragraphs I have just made a bulleted list and made no attempt at complete sentences. Half of my sentences are complete, while the others are fragments.  Most of my sentences are complete, but I do have a few fragments or run-on sentences My paragraphs are indented and are written in complete sentences. I have chosen an order for the facts that make sense.
Accurate Research is Portrayed Less than 74% of my facts are accurate. 75% of my facts are accurate. 85% of my facts are accurate. 95% or more of my facts are accurate.
Important Details that make the planet/object unique I have copied my notes word for word, not selecting important details that make my planet/object unique. About half of my piece is important details, the others I could have left out.  I tend to lose my reader's attention with too much/too little interesting facts. I have mostly selected important details from my notes to tell what makes my planet/object unique and a part of the solar system. I have selected only important details from my notes to tell what makes my planet/object unique and a part of the solar system.
Creativity and Layout No pictures are included, and my layout is sloppy. I have included pictures, but they are not related to my topic and the layout is sloppy. I have included pictures that relate to my topic, but my layout is a bit sloppy. I have selected pictures that relate to my topic, and my layout is beautiful!