Dear Parents,

Your child is currently exploring a Second Grade Science unit about the Solar System. In order to assist your child in gaining deeper understanding, each second grade student is being asked to complete a project at home about one of the planets in the solar system(other than Earth). As second grade teachers, we have compiled three choices for you and your child to choose from. All three choices involve the completion of a research report, but provide three different options for demonstrating understanding of the research found. Read the directions and grading scales for each project and choose one project.

This entire project is to be completed at home. Completed projects will be presented within each individual classroom. We recommend going to the public library and/or visiting the following websites to gather information:

The Second Grade Teachers of CF

Solar System Project Due Date:Monday May 16, 2016

Late Work Policy: Projects turned in late will have one letter grade deducted from the final grade.

I am aware of the home project my child is required to complete about the Solar System. I am also aware that the project is due on Monday, May 16, 2016.

Child’s Name ______

Parent Signature ______

Which project will you complete? (circle one)

Planet Diorama Planet Poster or Powerpoint Planet Alien

Which planet will you be researching? (circle one)

MercuryVenusMarsJupiter

SaturnUranusNeptune

Project Choice # 1: Planet Diorama

Make a diorama of your planet and its features using a shoe box and materials of your choice, such as a Styrofoam ball, paint, etc. Use color to display your planet’s important features (such as craters, volcanoes, or mountains). Bring in your diorama on the due date along with the attached planet report. Be sure to answer all questions in complete sentences and to list at least 2 places where you found your information, such as a book title or a website’s name.

Grading Score

  1. My Planet Report

Student Name 5 pts.

Name of Planet5 pts.

Description of Planet 50 pts.

____ Size of the Planet

____Position from the Sun

____ Distance from the Sun

____ Time Needed to Revolve Around the Sun

____Facts that Describe the Surface of the Planet

____ Number of Moons

____ 2 Other Interesting Facts About the Planet

____ 2 Places Where Information was Found

  1. Diorama

Neatness and Creativity20 pts.

  1. Presentation

Loud and Clear10 pts.

Shows Understanding of Information10 pts.

Score______/100 pts.

Project Choice #2: Planet Poster or Powerpoint

Create a poster (large poster board size – 22” x 28”) showing your planet. Most of your poster should be a picture, drawn and colored by you, to show the features of your planet. You may label your picture to show the important facts learned during your research. Bring in your poster on the due date along with the attached planet report. Be sure to answer all questions in complete sentences and to list at least 2 places where you found your information, such as a book title or a website’s name.

If you choose to create a Powerpoint on the computer, include pictures and facts that show the features of your planet and the information learned during your research. Bring in a flashdrive with your Powerpoint, or have your parents email it to your teacher, on the due date along with the attached planet report.

Grading Score

  1. My Planet Report

Student Name 5 pts.

Name of Planet5 pts.

Description of Planet 50 pts.

____ Size of the Planet

____ Position from the Sun

____ Distance from the Sun

____ Time Needed to Revolve Around the Sun

____ Facts that Describe the Surface of the Planet

____ Number of Moons

____ 2 Other Interesting Facts About the Planet

____ 2 Places Named Where Information was Found

  1. Poster or Powerpoint

Neatness and Creativity20 pts.

  1. Presentation

Loud and Clear10 pts.

Shows Understanding of Information10 pts.

Score______/100 pts.

Project Choice # 3: Planet Alien

Use an empty water bottle or soda bottle to create an alien that would survive on your planet. Use other materials of your choice to make a colorful alien that includes a head, body, arms, and legs, plus any other features you think are important (a breathing pack, sunglasses to avoid the sun, etc.). Bring in your alien on the due date along with the attached planet report. Be sure to answer all questions in complete sentences and to list at least 2 places where you found your information, such as a book title or a website’s name.

Grading Score

  1. My Planet Report

Student Name 5 pts.

Name of Planet5 pts.

Description of Planet 50 pts.

____ Size of the Planet

____ Position from the Sun

____ Distance from the Sun

____ Time Needed to Revolve Around the Sun

____ Facts that Describe the Surface of the Planet

____ Number of Moons

____ 2 Other Interesting Facts About the Planet

____ 2 Places Named Where Information was Found

  1. Planet Alien

Neatness and Creativity20 pts.

  1. Presentation

Loud and Clear10 pts.

Shows Understanding of Information10 pts.

Score______/100 pts.

Name: ______

My Planet Report

Name of Planet:

______

Size of Planet:

______

Position from the Sun: (1st, 2nd, etc.)

______

Distance of Planet from the Sun:

______

Time the Planet Takes to Revolve Around the Sun:

______

Facts that Describe the Surface of the Planet:

______

Number of Moons:

______

2 Other Interesting Facts Learned About the Planet:

______

______

2 Places Where Information Was Found: (book title, website name)

______

______