Created By: Annette Howard

Grade Level: Upper elementary

Curriculum Area: Science

NSTA Standards Addressed:

Content Standard D: Earth and Space Science Standards As a result of their activities in grades K-4, all students should develop an understanding of properties of earth materials, objects in the sky, and changes in earth and sky

Technology Skill Level: Moderate

Student Grouping: Cooperative Groups

Materials:

Computers

KidPix Studio Deluxe

Photos from the Internet for each planet

Astronomy Books (preferably about each specific planet)

Sample Kidpix slideshow to use as a model

Procedure:

This project takes about four weeks (depending on how much computer time is available). The first lesson should take about an hour.

1. In a large group setting, show a previously made slide show on any topic.
2. Tell students they will be working in groups of two to create a slideshow about a specific planet.
3. Give out a slide show to provide students with direction on content for their presentation. They can also include aditional interesting facts about their planet beyond the guideline requirements.
4. Give students large index cards. They will use the index cards to represent the content of each slide in their slide show. For their research, students can use the resources available in the classroom or they can bring in resources from home.
5. Give students time to begin their research.

1. Once students have the needed information on a few of their index cards, show them how to create slides for their slideshow. They should only be focusing on the writing at this point.
2. Once the slideshow has all (or most) of the information outlined in the guideline, show students the photos available for them to use (the ones downloaded from the Internet). They can also choose to draw their own pictures using KidPix. Students need to be taught how to save and "replace" altered slides and altered slide shows.
3. Once all the slides have photos or illustration, show students how to choose transitions and sounds for each slide. This should be the last step, as students will spend hours choosing transitions and sounds for each slide!
4. Share each slide show with the class and with parents during a parent breakfast.

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