Third Grade: Adopt-A-Planet

Created and Developed by Ms. G. and Mrs. Turner

Project Mapping Based on Big6™ Skills:

1.1  Defining the Problem (What is the task?)
                 A.  Your group will be investigating some essential questions of your planet.
                B. Think about, research and answer these questions.
                    1. What are the nine planets in our solar system?
                    2. Describe some features about your particular planet.
                        a. size, composition, atmosphere, rotations, temperature
                    3. Compare the gravity of your planet with Earth.  Think about weight.
                    4. Compare the distance between your planet and earth, and between your planet and the sun.
                    5. Compare revolutions of your planet around the sun to the Earth's annual revolution.    
                    6. Prove the existence of life, water or minerals on your planet.

1.2 Identify the Information Requirements (What types of information do I need?)
                A. Use the KWL chart to determine what you already know.
                B.  Tasks of project-
                    1. Find research material
                    2. Take notes using keywords and main ideas on note cards
                    3. Organize notes and rewrite in paragraph form
                    4. Revise and edit writing
                   5. Share what was learned with others

2.1 Determine the Range of Possible Sources  (What are possible sources?)
                A. Along with Ms. G., you will brainstorm a list of resources.
                B. Direct instruction of these resources to begin with:
                    1. Mukilteo online Web-Pac
                    2. Selected non-fiction titles in 599
                    3. World Book Encyclopedia   
                    4. World Book Encyclopedia Online
                    5. Selected Web Sites
                C. Search Strategies
                  1. Alphabetical Order
                       a. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
                 2. Page Ranges
                        a.  pg. 2-5 means pages 2, 3, 4, and 5
                  3. Word Selection and Alternatives
                            a. atmosphere and air   
                            b. air and gas  
                   4. Keyword, Subject Searches
                   5. Volume, Index and Table of Contents
                   6. Headings and Subheadings
                   7. Hypertext Links
2.2 Evaluate the Different Possible Sources to Determine Priorities  (What are the best possible sources?)
                A. Non-Fiction Books
                        1. General Topics of Planets
                        2. Specific Titles
                        3. Year of Publication
                        4. Index?  Table of Contents?  Bibliography?
                B. Encyclopedia
                        1. Adequate information about your planet
                        2. General information about all planets
                C. Online Encyclopedia
                        1. Adequate information about your planet   
                        2. Additional sites or resources.
                D. Websites
                        1. Criteria for reliable information
                                a. URL (uniform resource locator)
                                b. Title of website
                                    1)Purpose or goal of site
                                    2)Author or organization that create website
                                        a).edu, .com, .net, .gov, .org                        
                                    3)Entertainment? Educational?
                                    4)Ability to communicate with web author
                                    5)Date of web site or page
                                    6)Reliable information or opinion
                        2. Evaluation exercise

3.1 Locate Sources (intellectually and physically)
                 A. Where will I physically find this information?
                        1. Lake Stickney Library
                        2. Public Library
                            a. Sno-Isle (Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mukilteo)
                            b. Everett (Evergreen Way)
                        3. Classroom
                        4. Community
3.2 Find Information within Sources
                  A. What resources do I need to use to get my information?
                        1. Lake Stickney WebPac
                        2.World Book Encyclopedia in LS Library
                        3. World Book Online
                        4. Web Sites

http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/VTtyrrell/                                                            

4.1 Engage (e.g. read, hear, view) the information in a source

                A. Be efficient when reading through sources by looking at:
                        1. Index
                        2. Headings and Subheadings
                        3. URL Domains and authorship
                

4.2 Extract Information from a Source
                A. Writing the essential information or themes onto note cards.
                        1. Planet Fact Extraction (MS Word)

                        2. Planet Fact Extraction (PDF-Adobe)
              

5.1 Organize Information from Multiple Sources
                A.  Compile information from various sources.
                B.   Organize them in order to answer the four questions.

5.2 Present Information
                A. Complete the Powerpoint slide templates with your information and photos.

6.1 Judge the Product (effectiveness)
                A. Project rubric

6.2 Judge the Information Problem-Solving Process (efficiency)
                B. Project Rubric