Illinois State Standard 12F: Know and apply concepts that explain the composition and structure of the universe and Earth's place in it.

Third trimester students will be learning about our solar system. Students will be using problem-based learning software entitled Alien Rescue. Students will be using the computer simulation software to figure out the best home for the aliens in our solar system.  Through this problem, students will learn about the aliens’ needs as well as the characteristics of our planets in order to place each alien on the best planet in our solar system.  Students will also be creating models to understand the causes of day and night, seasons and moon phases.

Student Friendly Version

□ Parts of the Solar System: Describe the key parts of the solar system including the sun as an average star, the four inner planets as small and rocky, the last four outer planets as larger and mostly gas, all kept in orbit by gravity.

□ Characteristics of Planets: Categorize characteristics of planets as inner, outer or both.

□ Seasons: Describe the relationship between the tilt of the earth’s axis and seasons on Earth.

□ Moon Phases: Depict the phases of the moon and explain the relationship between the moon’s position and the visible moon on Earth.

□ Light-years: Describe the relationship between light-years and space travel.