2. Essential Question:
What is in space?
Unit Questions:
What would happen if we had no Sun?
Content Questions:
What are the components of our Solar System?
What do the planets rotate around?
3. What will we cover in this Unit?
In this unit we will be learning about the solar system.
We will cover the what exactly is in our solar system
and how it works. We will learn facts about all of the
planets and the Sun and the Earth’s moon. The
children will be able to recognize each planet and be
able to know specific facts on each. The students will
be able to make their own solar system using their own
materials, and least at least three facts about each
object in our solar system.
4. Role of the Teacher in this Unit
In the beginning of this unit the teacher will be the
instructor and teach the students specific facts about
each planet. The teacher will show pictures of each
object in the solar system to the students. The teacher
will provide a worksheet for the students to work on in
class so they can see what the students learned from
the lesson. In the second part the teacher will watch
the students make their own solar systems in groups
and be there if the students have trouble and any
questions on the project or unit.
5. Role of the Student in this Unit
In the first part of the lesson the student should listen
to the teacher while they are teaching the lesson on
solar systems. The student should take notes while the
teacher is talking, just in case they forget some of the
information. The students will then do the worksheet
provided to them and use their notes to help them. In
the second part of the lesson the students will make
their own solar system with their group. They should
work together and make sure they are doing exactly
what the teacher asked of them with the project.
6. Role of the Parent in this Unit
The role of the parent is to make sure that their child is
working hard and is learning in class. The parents
should be asking their children questions about what
they did at school that day and what they learned to
make sure that their child is participating and learning
new and important information. The parents also need
to keep their child up to date on when their homework
is due and to make sure they know the due dates for
the project in class.
7. Benefits of this Unit
Students gain knowledge in science
Learn about the Solar System
Students use listening skills
Self-learning
Project-based learning activity
Student uses their knowledge and memory
Social skills while working in their groups
8. Standards for Unit
Standards:
Science
Grade: 2
11.) Identify basic components of our
solar system, including the sun, planets,
and Earth's moon.
9. Objectives for Unit
Objectives:
Students will learn about the basic components
of our Solar System: planets, the Sun, Earth’s
Moon
Students will complete a worksheet to show
their knowledge of the Solar System
Students will develop their own Solar System
with their assigned group
10. What is Project-based Learning?
Project-based learning is what will be used in this unit
on the Solar System. Project-based learning is a hands-
on method that makes students learn and think for
themselves. It makes it more interesting for the
students because it is not learning out of a book,
taking tests, it is learning by what the students do
themselves. Project-based learning will be used in the
second part of this unit when the students get into
groups for the project. They will create their own solar
system by the information they have learned. Students
are supposed to be creative and use their critical
thinking skills and have fun!
11. Ms. Kennedy’s 2 nd Grade Class
Margaret Kennedy
Cell: (205) 456-9067
Email: makennedy1@crimson.ua.edu
Room 205
Available Weekdays from 3:30-5:30
