Earth Science Chapter 20 The Solar System Layered Assignments
Alan Dewey
Wabasso High School
OBJECTIVES
1. The student will recognize that the sun is the principal energy source for the solar system and that this energy is transferred in the form of radiation.
2. The student will recognize that the sun is a medium-sized star and is the closest star to Earth. It is the central and largest body in the solar system and is one of billions of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.
3. The student will compare and contrast the planets, taking into account their composition, mass and distance from the sun and recognize the conditions that have allowed life to flourish on Earth.
LAYER C- BASIC UNDERSTANDING (Choose a total of 75 pts from the assignments below.
* indicates a required assignment. Must be present in class to earn points for notes.)
Day 1- History and Sun Notes (Sections 20.1 and 20.2) (Choose 2 from #1-4)
____ 1. Read sections 20.1-20.2 and complete section worksheets (VL-5 pts).
____ 2. Make a timeline of the history of astronomy including astronomers and their discoveries (LM-5 pts).
____ 3. Make a table comparing the two models for the solar system presented in section 20.1 (LM-5 pts).
____ 4. Make a poster showing the parts of the sun (VS-5 pts).
Day 2- Sunspots
____
5. *Complete Stormy Sunspots lab, pg. 711 (VS-5 pts).
Days 3-4 Planets (Sections 20.3-20.4)
____ 6. *View "The Planets" video and list at least one feature per planet (VS-5 pts).
____ 7. *Complete the “Can You Planet” worksheet (VL-5 pts).
____ 8. Read sections 20.3-20.4 and complete section worksheets (VL-10 pts).
____ 9. Compare Earth to three inner and three outer planets, listing similarities and differences (LM- 10 pts).
____
10. With no more than two other people write a song
about the planets. Include at least two facts about each
planet (MU, IE-10 pts).
Days 5-6- Planet Games
____ 11. Complete 2 solar system bingo cards (VS-5 pts).
____
12. With a partner create a planet board game (VS-5
pts).
Day 7- Solar System Size
____ 13. *Complete the “How Big is the Solar System” worksheet (LM-5 pts).
____ 14. Do solar system size activity (BK, VS-5 pts).
____
15. Do the “Toilet Paper Solar System” activity with a
partner- you must bring in your own roll of toilet paper for this
activity (BK, VS-5 pts).
Day 8- Other Space Objects Notes (Section 20.5)
____ 16. Read section 20.5 and complete section worksheet (VL-5 pts).
____ 17. Make a poster of an asteroid, comet and meteoroid with labels to show the difference (VS-5 pts).
Day 9- Layer C work day
____ 18. *Complete 5 ?’s review worksheet (VL-5 pts).
____ 19. Create a travel poster to advertise going to a specific planet. Information to include: distance from Earth, climate, surface features and interesting facts about the planet (VS-10 pts).
____ 20. Design an alien that can live on any planet other than earth. It must be a colored picture or a 3-D model. Explain and show the adaptations the alien has to survive the planets conditions (NA-10 pts).
____ 21. Listen to lecture and take notes each day (VL) 1 2 3 4 5
Day 10- Planet quiz, start Layer B
Day 11- Layer B work day
Day 12- Layer A work day/All assignments due
Day 13- Planetarium field trip
LAYER B- APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE (Choose 1- 10 points)
____ 1. Build a scale model of the solar system using materials of your choosing (BK).
____ 2. Pretend you are the first human explorer to land on ___________ (pick a planet). Write five short journal entries about your experiences on the planet. What did you explore? What problems did you have? What is the planet like? Use at least ten facts about the planet in your journal entries (VL).
____ 3. Plan a trip to three planets in our solar system. What would you bring, how long would you be gone, where would you go and why, what hazards might you encounter? Use drawings and written descriptions (VL, VS).
____ 4. Design a tool to be used in space. Consider no gravity and how to use it. Include a drawing or 3-D model. (VS, IA).
LAYER A- CRITICAL THINKING & ANALYSIS OF REAL WORLD ISSUES (15 points)
Using
2 sources, write a three paragraph paper no longer than one page to
answer one question below. The first paragraph should be an
introduction. The second paragraph should give facts and
information about your question, such as pros and cons. The
third paragraph should give your opinion based on your
research. You should list your sources below.
____ 1. Should Pluto have been declassified as a planet?
____ 2. Should humans try to colonize Mars?
____ 3. Should humans be concerned about large objects in our solar system hitting the Earth?
____
4. Could there be life on other planets?
1. Title of article:
Title of magazine, journal, or URL:
Author:
Date of article:
Summary:
2. Title of article:
Title of magazine, journal, or URL:
Author:
Date of article:
Summary:
Total Grade: _____ / 100 Parent/Guardian Signature (XC): ______________________________