Julie's+Showcase

==A Trip Around the Solar System== (adapted from an eMINTS lesson plan)




 * **Unit Summary ** ||
 * After students investigate the eight planets, research their characteristics and examine their distance from the sun, etc., they will use the visual ranking tool to rank the planets in the order they believe human life could be sustained on each planet. In groups, using PowerPoint, students will then construct a model of one of the planets and put together a presentation. After the group presentations students will use the visual ranking tool to rank the characteristics that are necessary to sustain human life and answer why they ranked those characteristics in the order they did. Next students will use the Showing Evidence tool to  make a claim and provide evidence to support which planet should NASA consider creating an environment for sustaining life. Finally students will attempt to create a planet that will sustain life by choosing the proper combination of characteristics on an interactive activity on a NASA sponsored web site. ||

What characteristics sustain life? || Why is the location of the sun important to sustaining life? What are the life sustaining characteristics of Earth? || I really like how you used the visual ranking tool two different ways in the same lesson - also, great thoughts to use a well-developed eMINTS lesson to show how to integrate the tools right into their lesson. Linda
 * **Curriculum-Framing Questions ** ||
 * || **Essential Question ** || What is critical to survival? ||
 * || **Unit Questions ** || Why can we live on earth, but not on other planets?
 * || **Content Questions ** || Why is oxygen necessary for life?

I love the fact that you used 2 visual ranking tools. Often check off a tool because they have already used it. It is more than appropriate to use another one if the lesson calls for it. Craig