Explore our Solar System

What are some characteristics of your

favorite planet?
2nd Grade
By: Leslie Tarin
Thematic Unit Planning Matrix

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Content Essential Centers Technology Assessment Student Standards:

or Questions (Activities) Integration with evaluation Products or ·​ ​The ISTE NETS and
Subject (Must criteria and/or Portfolio Performance Indicators for
Area include at Rubric Scale Teachers and Students
least 2 Web ·​ ​TEKS
2.0 tools)

Reading 1.On which Students Students The students Students will TEKS:
planet did Ms. will read as will be taken will have a rubric turn in their (A) listen actively, ask relevant
Frizzle and the a class The to a scale of 1-5, paper with questions to clarify information, and
computer their model must planet facts answer questions using multi-word
students first Magic
lab and with posses some of with both responses;
land School Bus
their partner the names, and (B) follow, restate, and give oral
lost in the they will characteristics of will be kept in instructions that involve a short,
2.Why do Solar research the planet they students related sequence of actions;
people feel System by about the chose, for portfolio. (C) share information and ideas that
weightless in Joanna planet they example: Color, Models of focus on the topic under discussion,
space? Cole. After chose as a size, rings, etc. their planets speaking clearly at an appropriate pace
the will team using Both students will be kept as and using the conventions of language;
3.How many choose a libraryspot.c must speak classroom (D) work collaboratively with others
om ​. during display and by following agreed-upon rules for
times does the partner and
Students will presentation. will be shown discussion, including listening to
earth rotate agree to
then come And most facts in the next others, speaking when recognized,
each day? one planet back to their should be parent making appropriate contributions, and
that stood classrooms correct. teacher building on the ideas of others; and
out the most with the conference.
to them and information ISTE FOR STUDENTS:
why. The they've Students demonstrate creative
students will gathered thinking, construct knowledge, and
 make a and will be develop innovative products and
model of shown a processes using technology.
their favorite short video
planet out of on how to ISTE FOR TEACHERS:
create a Teachers use their knowledge of
playdoh
sculpture of subject matter, teaching and learning,
with their planets and technology to facilitate experiences
partner. The using that advance student learning,
students will PlayDoh(​htt creativity, and innovation in both
present ps://youtu.b face-to-face and virtual environments
their model e/nfJ7QtQpg
to their aM​) .
classmates
and read
outloud the
fact they
gathered
about their
planet.
Physical 1. What was it Students will Students Students can Teacher will TEKS:
Education like to be the use their will begin be assessed by create a (A) travel independently in a large
Sun? bodies to by observation of folder in her group while safely and quickly
follow the
watching a their computer changing speed and direction;
2. Which orbit path of the performance on (C) combine shapes, levels, and
short 3:00 with school
was the orbit of all 8 the mock solar pathways into simple sequences;
fastest? planets while
min video system as well
year, (D) demonstrate mature form in
Slowest? practicing about what as their class/grade. walking, hopping, and skipping;
locomotor makes responses to the The name of
3. Which skills. each planet oral test each student ISTE FOR STUDENTS:
planet went 1. Describe unique questions during and have Students use critical thinking skills to
around the sun to the (​https://you the closure of notes of plan and conduct research, manage
the least? students that tu.be/brcvx the lesson. each projects, solve problems, and make
they have informed decisions using appropriate
LKHEcg​), students
4. Review just entered digital tools and resources.
before progress,
random facts the solar
from the cards system. It
starting what they ISTE FOR TEACHERS:
contains 8 their need help in, Teachers design, develop, and evaluate
planets and a activity. etc. authentic learning experiences and
sun. Each assessments incorporating
2. Give each student will contemporary tools and resources to
student a be given a maximize content learning in context
planet picture pedometer and to develop the knowledge, skills,
card. and attitudes
to keep
3.Using cues
track of
on their card
they find
how many
 matching steps they
planet and took
then read the walking
information
their orbit.
card.
4. Once all
students
have read
the
information
card start
with Mercury,
and have the
students walk
their planets
orbit by
following the
matching
poly spots.
5. Each orbit
of spots
corresponds
to the color of
the planet
information
card; for
example,
Earth has a
green card
and follows
the orbit of
green poly
spots.
6. Next have
all students
walk their
own orbit at
the same
time.
7. One set of
students is
the Sun and
stand in the
center.
Fine Arts On what Students will Students Students will Students will TEKS:
planet would communicate will be compose and learn to use (A) sing tunefully or play classroom
their thoughts paired and arrange music Snipping tool instruments, including rhythmic and
you like to live and ideas create within specified to Snip the melodic patterns, independently or in
in, and why? through the “their” guidelines. picture of groups;
creation of planet a.Create and “their” planet (B) sing songs or play classroom
Who do you music. from pixie instruments from diverse cultures and
using pixie. arrange music
think lives in Students will website, print styles, independently or in groups;
They will to accompany
the listen to The it out, and (C) move alone or with others to a
hottest/coldest Solar System
then readings or staple it with varied repertoire of music using gross
planet? Song present dramatizations. the paragraph and fine locomotor and non-locomotor
What (​https://youtu. their planet b.Create and of “their” movement;
characteristic(s be/F2prtmPE and then arrange simple planet, along (D) perform simple part work,
) if any would jOc​). After play their rhythmic and with their including rhythmic ostinato, and vocal
you add to listening, piece in melodic pieces short song. exploration such as singing, speaking,
planet earth, students will front of the within specific The and chanting;
and why? write a assignment
class that guidelines,
paragraph will be saved ISTE FOR STUDENTS:
describes using a variety
about “their” in the Students use digital media and
planet. This
their of sound students environments to communicate and
planet can be planet, sources. portfolio. work collaboratively, including at a
completely after Both students distance, to support individual learning
fictional. recording need to talk and contribute to the learning of others
They should themselves during
include using presentation to ISTE FOR TEACHERS:
details such Audioboom receive full Teachers design, develop, and evaluate
as the authentic learning experiences and
. credit.
climate, who assessments incorporating
lives there, contemporary tools and resources to
and what the maximize content learning in context
planet looks and to develop the knowledge, skills,
like. and attitudes
Following the
description of
their planet,
students will
compose a
short song
that
represents
their planet.