This Topic Mini-Research & Literature Web Page
was developed for Mrs. Rooks' Fourth Grade Class at JT Reddick Elementary School
Designed by Savannah Johnson, a Valdosta State University Preservice Teacher
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Which planet has more moons than
any other in our solar system? Visit the website to find out the answer
to that question and find out more about this planet.
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How much does a spacecraft have
to slow down before entering Mars' atmosphere? This website will tell
you many cool, extreme facts about the planet Mars.
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Have you ever wondered how the solar system formed? I know I have! This site tells you just how it happened. |
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Do
you like to travel? If you visit this website, you can go on a journey through
space to learn about each and every planet. |
| Mini-Research
Real World
Activity: Colonizing a New World
Now that you've learned all about the nine planets, NASA needs your
help. The population on earth has grown too large to be contained on
one planet and NASA is going to start colonizing a new one. They need
you to research and decide which planet would be best for this new
colony.
NASA has chartered you a private shuttle to travel from planet to planet while you're on the mission gathering data. They have also provided a journal for you to write down and draw pictures of your findings. Good luck and remember to get plenty of information since the survival of mankind could depend on you! |
| Steps
for a Successful Mission: 1. Use this
website to take your journey and
investigate the various features of the planets. Find
about their gravity, temperatures, what they're made up of, and which
have the most breathable gases.
2. When you've narrowed down the possibilities of places that could possible be settled, start using the notebook provided by NASA. List earth like characteristics that the planets have and draw pictures of the different things that you see. For example, did you see mountains or water on the planets? 3. Once you think you've gotten enough information, come back to earth so that you can sort through everything and let NASA know which of the other eight planets would be best for a colony. 4. Finally, write down and draw pictures of what makes that particular planet best for the people of earth. |
The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System
By Joanna Cole
| Topic Literature Activity |
 Bus Lost in the Solar System". Go to the following website if you want to find out what's in the solar system besides the planets. |
| B. Use these questions to
check your understanding. 1. What are the areas that are cooler than the rest of the sun? 2. Is there life on Mars? 3. What were spinning around the bus and breaking glass? 4. Why couldn't the bus land on some of the planets? |
| C. Critical Thinking
Questions: 1. What advances in technology do you think will make it possible to live somewhere in the solar system other than Earth? 2. If you ever got to explore the solar system in real life, where would you go and what would you do? |
 Savannah's Homepage |
 snhowe@valdosta.edu |
 VSU Student Topic Pages |
 Mini-Research Lesson Plan |
 Topic Literature Lesson Plan |