Students will learn search strategies to locate relevant websites and evaluate them using a website evaluation checklist. These websites will be used to gather information on planets and describe the definition of a planet based on the findings of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Students will create a newly discovered object in the sky and will apply their knowlegde to describe and define their new discovery to the International Astronomical Union in the form of a business letter.

In groups of two students will:

- select a topical keyword to search on search engines.

- demonstrate use of Boolean operators (such as: "and," "or," "and not") and symbols (for example “”, +) to narrow search to find three websites after listening to a teacher directed lesson and demonstration.

 

- evaluate these three websites of their choosing using the Website Evaluation Checklist.

- compare and contrast these websites for reliability, currency and accuracy.

- select at least three websites that are reliable and useful.

- identify relevant topical information and organize information from these reliable websites and record the data in the planet data graphic organizer.

- construct information gathered from the graphic organizer to create their newly discovered planet. 

- using the ReadWriteThink website business format, students will compose a letter to the International Astronomical Union describing their new planet including distance from the sun and temperature and interesting information.

- using the definition of a planet they will defend that discovery as a planet or not a planet.

 

 

LCD projector

Computer lab in Media Center

Web Evaluation Checklist

Searching for Planets Task sheet and Graphic Organizer.

ReadWriteThink website

 

Day One

-Using LCD projector and Task Definition handout, Introduce topic   of  Searching for planets. Describe the tasks given on the "Searching for  Planets” handout.

 

-Determine prior knowledge in a group discussion about search strategies students have used in the past.

 

-Incorporate previous knowledge with new search strategies including use of Boolean operators and discuss URL domains. 

 

-Introduce Web evaluation checklist.

 

-Using Google search engine students will apply search strategies and find three websites about the solar system. Record these websites and complete Web Evaluation Checklist. Decide if these websites are useful for their research.  Continue to search until three reliable and useful websites have been found.

 

Closure-Essential questions:

•  What keywords were used
•  What search strategies were successful?
•  Did you find unreliable/reliable websites in your search?            
• How were they unreliable/reliable?

Day Two

-Review the task and process of gathering information for the graphic organizer and defining the planets.

 

-Students will gather information from the three reliable websites found on the previous day and record the three definitions of a planet and enter data required into the graphic organizer. 

 

Day Three

-Students continue to gather data on planets if more time is needed. Special education students can use study class time with resource teacher to complete assignment.

 

Closure

Essential questions:

·        After gathering your data did you find any relationships?

·        What is the definition of a planet?

·        Did the new planet definition make any changes to how we think about our solar system and planets? How?

  

Day Four

-Direct students to the writing task of the project

 

-Using the ReadWritethink website, students will compose a business letter to the International Astronomical Union.

 

-Extension: students finishing early will write a paragraph as described in the task handout.

 

-Students will hand in graphic organizers and letter the next day.

 

 

Use of correct search techniques and complete Web Site Evaluation checklist to find three reliable web sites relevant to the information needed.

The three criteria for what defines a planet are on the listed on the task sheet. Graphic organizer of planet data is completely filled in.

Letter written to the IAU must include a description of their discovered planet, the average temperature and distance from the sun in light years. Student must defend their new discovery by including the definition of a described by the IAU.