Cheerio for the Planets!

Jan 05 2012

Source: Irishganesh

Summary Information

Keywords:

Planets, Diameter, Solar System, Scale

Topic:

Earth Science

Measurement

Target Grade (Ages):

Grade 5 (Ages 10-11)

Grade 6 (Ages 11-12)

Estimated Time Required:

1-2 hours

Diversity Indicators:

This lesson works well with students in grades 5-6, but could be modified to accommodate older or younger students.

Tab Wrapper

LESSON

Goals and Prerequisites

Goals:

To allow students to make observations and recognize the vast differences in size among the planets in a fun way.
To encourage students to use design-based problem solving skills.

Prerequisites:

Students should:

Have a basic knowledge of the planets
Would also be helpful if students had a review of division and what the term "scale" refers to.

Instructional Objective(s)

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Understand scale, and calculate the difference between their chosen planet and Pluto (2,300 KM)
Make a model of their planet's diameter using Cheerios. (1 Cheerio = 2,300 KM)

Instructional Resources

Background:

I would recommend that the students have learned about the planets and have been given some sort of sheet that gives the statistics for each one. A great set of lessons that you can do to prepare your students for this lesson is the AIMS lesson entitled "Do You Planet?" It uses Venn Diagrams and graphs to compare the planets in a variety of ways. It also has a great table that includes the diameter of all of the planets in kilometers. The full lesson can be purchased (for $3) and downloaded from the AIMS website at the following address: http://store.aimsedu.org/aims_store/e-activities/all-e-activities/can-you-planet.html.

You can also see the Original Cheerio Lesson Idea.

AIMS: Do You Planet

Original Cheerio Lesson Idea

Materials:

Cheerios
Rulers
Construction Paper
Glue
Cheerio Worksheet

Cheerio Worksheet

Procedure:

Give each student a copy of the worksheet entitled "Cheerio Worksheet."
Assign each group of 2-4 students a planet.
Have posted somewhere in your classroom a sign that states: "Diameter of Pluto = 2,300 KM).
Point out the sign to the students. Let them know that the class will be doing an activity in which we will be creating a visual representation of the diameter of the planets to scale. We will create this scale using the dwarf planet Pluto. Pluto, which measures 2,300 KM in diameter, will be represented by one Cheerio.
Pose the question, "If Pluto = 1 Cheerio, how many Cheerios will be needed to represent the diameter of each planet?"
Allow students time to find an answer, using the equation:
Diameter of the planet / 2,300KM = Number of Cheerios)

If you would like the students to use calculators to save time or check their work, you may choose to do so.
Once the students determine the number of Cheerios needed to represent the diameter of their planet, explain to them that they will now be making a picture displaying their planet's diameter with actual Cheerios. Please see Sample Picture A and Sample Picture B.

Cheerio Worksheet

Sample Picture A

Sample Picture B

Extensions

There are an infinite number of lessons that can be done when studying the planets. Once students have been assigned a planet, it is fun to allow them to explore this topic further using either one or both of the following activities:

Planet PowerPoint: working in groups, students research their planet and find basic facts about the planets and additional fun facts as well. They should be encouraged to include pictures; the Internet offers a wide variety of photos and animated gifs for their use.

Planet Brochures: working independently (at home), students can use the research that they did for their planet PowerPoint to create a brochure that would entice a would-be visitor to their planet. This is where their imaginations are needed- as all of the planets are uninhabitable by humans. But, this can be a fun way to create imaginary destinations and recreational activities. Plus- what would we need to bring with us to survive the trip? Students can do this using a computer program such as Microsoft Publisher or by hand.

Writing assignment: Should Pluto be considered a planet? (See attached "Is Pluto a Planet.")
Is Pluto a Planet Worksheet

Assessments and Rubrics

This lesson, although it appears simple, is quite challenging. Many students will easily calculate the number of Cheerios representing the diameter of their planet, but then have difficulty making the visual model.

*It is important that the teacher demonstrate to the students that the Cheerios should represent the diameter - and that means when they draw their planets around their Cheerios, there should not be any space between the lines that they are drawing and the Cheerios. (Please see How to assess your students' end products)

Any space means that the students are not truly showing an accurate representation of their planet. If they can fit Cheerios inside their planet (where the diameter is located), this is incorrect.

The assessment of this activity is:

Students have accurately calculated the number of Cheerios representing thier planets diameter and
There are no spaces on the interior of their planet (where the diameter is represented by Cheerios).

How to assess your students' end products

External Resources