The Earth
This lesson is designed to help students understand Earth in relation to the Solar System. Through a series or activities and interactive teaching, students will learn that the orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis between its North and South poles, cause observable patterns.
Grade Level: K - 2nd
Subject:
Length of Time: About 45
Objectives & Outcomes
Students will be able to list key concepts and components of the earth, recite the hours it takes to rotate once on its axis, and the days to revolve around the sun.
Materials Needed
- cardstock
- construction paper
- markers
- glue
- pastels
- paints
- coffee filters
- Earth: The Blue Planet by Daisy Allyn
- StoryBots video on YouTube called “A Beautiful, Beautiful World” (The Earth Song)
Procedure
Opening to Lesson
Students give ideas and participate accordingly, as I fill out the blank K-W-L organizer as a whole class, using large chart paper.
Body of Lesson
Direct Teaching
Use students to model how the Earth revolves around the sun as it rotates on its axis. Explain to students that it takes 1 year, or 365 days, for the Earth to make a complete trip around the sun. (It might help them to understand this length of time by saying that every time they have a birthday, the Earth has made one more complete trip around the sun.) Explain to students that every morning when the sun rises, the Earth has made another complete rotation.
Guided Practice 1
Read Earth: The Blue Planet by Daisy Allyn: Popcorn read in groupspartners where each pair read one page together to the class… then choose then next group etc. Discuss the many ways that Earth is different from all the other planets in our solar system. (CFU: Have each pair come up with a question they have after reading the book.)
Guided Practice 2
Our Amazing Earth writing project: Students color, cut, and glue an Earth from a simple template or blank sheet of paper. (CFU: Have students then write and/or draw five things that make the Earth special underneath.)
Independent Practice
Earth art project: Students color a coffee filter to resemble the Earth with green and blue markers. It’s best to not fill in the filter completely, but leave some white space. Using a small paintbrush, students brush water onto the filter, which spreads the marker all around. While the filter is drying, students can splatter-paint a piece of black cardstock with white paint to create stars or draw stars with a white crayon or oil pastel. When dry, students glue their filter onto the black cardstock. (CFU: Walk around and listen as students work andor discuss).
Closing
Watch the StoryBots video on YouTube called “A Beautiful, Beautiful World” (The Earth Song)
Assessment & Evaluation
Through guided questions, close monitoring and informal observation; the teacher will be able to assess student’s ability and understanding of the subject being introduced. Through individually assessing during independent practice and reviewing during guided practice the teacher will be able to evaluate students.
Modification & Differentiation
Students may work in groups or individually in order to complete their assignments. In order to accommodate for all students, allow extra time to review for lower students and extra worksheets to occupy the time of advanced students.
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