Space-6th+Grade

__**Overview**__ Students will take from their knowledge of the solar system and its planets. They will then go to additional resources for a more in-depth look at the environments on different planets. Students will explore varies formats of sources (print, electronic) and by using legitimate, scientific sources, will be able to identify how the planets differ from Earth and one another. Students at the sixth grade level are ready to become more advanced in information inquiry as well as media fluency. It is important for these students to be able to distinguish and critique the media that is bombarding them. Not every source is a good or reputable one. By asking these students to conduct some in-depth research, they will be exercising this analysis process, therefore become more media fluent individuals.

__**Objectives**__ Students will: -find, organize and analyze information sources -learn about life and environments on other planets -decide if life is sustainable on other planets and if not, why is Earth different

__**Material****s**__ -scientific databases -Internet access -books, articles, t.v. specials on Space exploration, planets, life

Suggested Resources: [|Views of Solar System] [|NASA Solar System Exploration] [|resource with space links]

__**Procedures**__ -The teacher will give a lesson on the value of being able to distinguish between good and poor sources of information. Explain why Wikipedia is not a good source for in-depth research. Provide example of good resources. Students will be able to recognize the difference and do their own research. -Students will learn from media specialist about different electronic sources and their value. Tutorials on using these resources will be provided...especially electronic databases and specialty websites. -PowerPoint will be shown (provided by [|Powerpoint)]

-Going beyond the initial study of solar systems & Earth, the teacher will ask why the Earth can support life and discuss those elements. -Students will be asked to explore the environments of the different planets and critically debate whether life can be sustained on these planets. - Students will then create a product based on their findings.

__**Activity**__ -Using media and information literacy skills, students will conduct critical research on the environments of planets within our solar system. -Students can choose to go more in-depth on one planet or do a comparison of several. -Students will produce a product explaining their findings. This product can be a variety of things: paper, scholarly debate between students, replication of another planet’s environment, etc. Creativity is encouraged.

__**Assessment**__ *rubric adapted from [|http://school.discoveryeducation.com]
 * ** Three points: ** Students were highly engaged in class discussions; created a clear, detailed product for their findings; provided ample documentation and showcased the ability to distinguish a good resource from a poor one; and actively contributed to the presentation to the class.
 * ** Two points: ** Students participated somewhat in class discussions; created a mostly accurate product; seemed to understand the concept behind good vs. poor resources but faltered in some areas; and contributed somewhat the presentation to the class.
 * ** One point: ** Students participated minimally in class discussions; created a product that did not represent in-depth research; research did not showcase ability to distinguish good vs. poor resources; and did not work cooperatively in or contribute adequately to the presentation to the class.