LESSON PLAN

Postcard (doc and pdf)

Grade Level: 4 - 6

Curriculum Area: Science and Language Arts

LA Frameworks:

ELA-5-E2 locating and evaluating information sources (e.g., print materials, databases, CD-ROM references, Internet information, electronic reference works, community and government data, television and radio resources, audio and visual materials); (1, 3, 4, 5)

ELA-5-E4 AND ELA-5-M4 using available technology to produce, revise, and publish a variety of works; (1, 3, 4)

ELA-4-M2 giving and following directions/procedures; (1, 4)

ESS-E-B1 observing and describing the characteristics of objects in the sky; (1)

Lesson Objectives:

Students will use the Internet to find data on moons from other planets.

Students will either create or use a postcard template to design and make a postcard for a planet's moon.

Students will import pictures from the Internet onto postcards.

Students will address a postcard using correct format.

Technology Connection: Internet and Desktop Publishing

Assessment: The rubric to assess the Postcard.

Procedures: (Click here for directions and templates)

1. Students will research the information needed for their postcard independently or with a partner

using the following websites or one of their own choice:

http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.htm

http://www.solarviews.com/eng/homepage.htm

2. Review the proper way to write a postcard, including how to address one properly.

3. Using a desktop publishing program, students will design and create their own postcards giving

information about the moon's temperatures, surface characteristics, distance from the planet, and/or

other interesting facts about the moon in a way that seems like they have personally experienced them.

4. Students will add pictures to their postcards by copying images from the Internet and by using the

clip art available in the desktop publishing program.

5. Send the postcard via the mail to another person in the class or home to a family member.

Extensions:

Share postcards with classmates, create a class booklet of postcards categorized by planets, or have students use the information provided within the message of the postcard to categorize moon types.

Other Planets, Other Moons Home Page

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