GK-8 Project Submission Form - The Center for Mathematics and ...

f. To draw the orbits, have someone stand in the center (where the sunwill be) and hold one end of the yarn. Then take the other end of theyarn out to the appropriate distance and draw the orbit of the planetMercury by walking in a circle.g. Repeat this process for all nine planets, expanding the size of thecircle (the diameter) by about 4 or 5 feet for each additional orbit.(For the purposes of first graders, it is much easier to use circularorbits and simply place the orbits in the correct order, equally spacedfrom each other).h. Label each orbit with the correct planet name.i. Describe each planet to the students and tell about it’s relation to thesun.j. Explain Rotation and Revolution.k. Take the students to the designated area. The class will most likelyneed to be split in half, unless you have a very small class!l. Give 10 students one planet (or the sun) each and have them stand onthe correct orbit.m. Explain that first they will revolve around the sun. They should walkslowly around the sun (staying on their respective orbits), making onefull revolution before stopping.n. Now explain that they will simulate rotating and revolving around thesun. To do this role play, they should spin slowly while also walkingaround the orbits.o. After they have finished this revolution, have the students stand intheir orbit and take turns describing where they are in relation to theother planets around them. (Ex: Earth is between Venus and Mars).6. At some point amidst these activities, discuss astronauts and astronomers.Talk about what astronauts and astronomers do, who can be astronauts ansastronomers, why there are astronauts and astronomers, etc. Explain thatwe still don’t know everything about space, but astronauts and astronomersare helping us figure it out. End this discussion by allowing students tosample astronaut foods such as freeze-dried strawberries.Evaluation: Students’ individual planet models will demonstrate theirunderstanding of the relative size of each planet and the order and distance fromthe sun. The Students abilities to role play the planets and correctly describetheir planet’s location can also be used for assessment.Prepared by NSF North Mississippi GK-8 Project 9