Kamy Merritt

www.missmerrittsmarvels.weebly.com
EDU-225
December 6, 2014

Science: Earth and the Solar System

Raft

Row 1

ROLE (student)
Student

AUDIENCE
Peers

Row 2

Earth

Sun

FORMAT
Model of the
planets
Journal

Row 3

Earth

Other planets

Venn Diagram

TOPIC
Description of the
planets.
How does the
Suns energy
effect the Earth?
Comparison of
how we are
similar and
different.

Raft Card 1:

Row 1

ROLE (student)
Students

AUDIENCE
Peers

FORMAT
Model of the
planets

TOPIC
Description of the
planets in the
Solar System.

Objective: You will be able to describe all of the planets in the Solar System.
Student Role: A student in a classroom
Audience: The students peers
Format: Model of the planets in the Solar System
Topic: The description of the planets in the Solar System.

Directions:
1. Visit Solar System Exploration to learn more about the Solar System.
2. Create a diagram model of the Solar System using a large black cardboard and different
sized styrofoam balls. Cut balls in half and paint similar to the planet colors. Glue them
onto cardboard according to their order in the Solar System and label each planet.
3. Type your script describing each planet which will include the name, number of planet,
distance from the Sun, and other fun facts.
Resources:
Websites to visit:
Solar System Exploration
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/

Diagram of the Solar System

http://www.universetoday.com/15878/diagram-of-the-solar-system/
Earths Orbit Around the Sun
http://www.universetoday.com/61202/earths-orbit-around-the-sun/
Assessment:
Name the eight planets in order from the Sun and state at least one character of each planet.
You will receive 15 points for naming the planets and their order and another point for each
character provided on each planet.

Raft Card 2:

Row 2

ROLE (student)
Earth

AUDIENCE
Sun

FORMAT
Journal

TOPIC
How does the
Suns energy
affect the Earth?

Objective: You will understand how the Suns energy affects the Earth.
Student Role: Earth
Audience: Sun
Format: Journal
Topic: How does the Suns energy affect the Earth?

Directions:
1. Visit Earths Orbit Around the Sun to learn more about the effects of the Sun on the
Earth.
2. Record all findings on this subject to explain how the Suns energy effects the planet
Earth.
3. Understand and know the various ways the Suns energy alters Earth.
Resources:
Websites to visit:
Suns Effect On The Earth
http://www.windows2universe.org/sun/effect_on_earth.html

Solar System Exploration

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Sun
How Does the Sun Affect the Environment?
http://www.amnh.org/ology/features/askascientist/question22.php
Assessment:
Keep a journal of your research making sure to document the various ways the Sun effects the
Earth.
You will share three most interesting facts about the Sun and how it effects the Earth. You will
submit the journal as a whole. It will be worth 100%.

Raft Card 3:

Row 3

ROLE (student)
Earth

AUDIENCE
Other planets

FORMAT
Venn diagram

TOPIC
Comparison of
how we are
similar and
different

Objective: You will be able to compare earth to the other planets and show their similarities and
their differences.
Student Role: Earth
Audience: The other planets
Format: Venn diagram
Topic: Comparison of the Earth to the other planets and how they are similar and different.

Directions:
1. Visit the Solar System Exploration to learn more about the planets and their
similarities and differences.
2. Create a Venn diagram with a poster board and a black marker. Draw two large
circles with them overlapping in the middle.
3. While researching similar and different planets, list the ones with certain
characteristics in the left circle and other characteristics in the right circle. The similar
planets should be labeled in the middle area that the two circles share.
4. Understand the similar and different planets and practice your script out loud until
you are comfortable to answer any questions.

Resources:
Websites to visit:
Solar System Exploration
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Dwarf
Diagram of the Solar System
http://www.universetoday.com/15878/diagram-of-the-solar-system/
Comparing Planets in the Solar System Using a Venn Diagram
http://www.mrsoshouse.com/puzpro/solarsys.html

Assessment:
Create a Venn diagram displaying similarities and differences of the planets of the Solar System
and placing them in the proper compartments of the diagram.