Searching for Stars- Fun with Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger Hunts are a unique way for students to become more comfortable with online resources within the classroom. Not only will the searches provide students with the information they are looking for, the scavenger hunt is an exciting way for students to research a particular topic. Scavenger hunts can be used by students to access information that is requested by the teacher and may include the theme of the classroom or the subject matter of the lesson. The hunt should be fun and should also enable students to discover a different way to obtain information in the classroom.

I have chosen to use the method of inserting the link for the students because it will be much easier for the children to find the exact answers I am looking for. Rather than have them search in uncharted area on the Internet, the students will go directly to the site that contains the answers.

Solar System Scavenger Hunt Directions:
You will be using the Internet to find information about our current lesson, the Solar System! I have inserted the links of the site to use in order to access the information. Click on the links and explore the sites to find the answers to the following questions. Once you have found the answers, write them on a separate page. Good Luck and have fun!

Questions:
1. How many moons does the planet Mercury contain?
source: Kids Astronomy

2. What is a meteor and what other name is it known as?
source: Windows to the Universe

3. What is the name of largest moon in the Solar System and what planet does it belong to?
source: Solar System- Wikipedia

4. What planet, known as Earth's sister, is the brightest object in our sky?
source: Windows to the Universe

5. What are the names of the three dwarf planets in our Solar System?
source: Solar System- Wikipedia

Grading:

You will be graded on the effort you put into this scavenger hunt, as well as how accurate your answers are. All questions must be answered in order to get credit for the assignment!


Answer Key:

1. Mercury has 0 moons.

2. A Meteor is a streak of light caused by the entry of rocks and metal from outer space into our atmosphere. They are also known as "shooting stars."

3. Ganymede is the largest moon and it belongs to Jupiter.

4. Venus is known as Earth's sister.

5. The three dwarf planets are Ceres, Pluto, and Eris.

A Tour through Outer Space

The Solar System is a topic that constantly allows students to look beyond what is seen and explore new areas. The following resources provide the opportunity to further your knowledge about the Solar System and also feel more comfortable about teaching this information in the classroom!

The Space Place- NASA

This site is an interactive site that allows students and teachers to access fun and exciting games, animations, facts, and other interesting links about the Solar System. It enables teachers to choose information that will be interesting for the classroom in order to keep students entertained and well-educated.

Kids Astronomy

“Kids Astronomy” is a site that provides a variety of information about each of the planets and other important factors in the Solar System. It offers fun animations, as well as exciting pictures for teachers to include in lessons and for students to observe.

Sky Image Lab

This site depicts photographs taken from space, as well as illustrations that capture different elements from our Solar System and other galaxies. It allows teachers and students to view interesting images and it also enables teachers to offer examples during lectures that will aid in describing the Solar System.

NASA's Homepage

NASA’s homepage provides of variety of links and information about events happening in space, the space program, and other crucial actions happening all around us. This site contains links for teachers, students, as well as young children, and it also provides teachers the opportunity to learn about upcoming events and be provided with NASA-related features.

Enchanted Learning- All About Our Solar System

“Enchanted Learning” is an informative site that gives crucial information about the creation of our Solar System, different Missions, and other important bodies that make up space. Although it provides a variety of different information, it also presents links that contain puzzles, coloring pages, quizzes, and other fun activities for students.

Windows to the Universe

“Windows to the Universe” is filled with information about Earth, the climate, its history, and our Solar System. It contains links that provide informative information and fun activities about different topics and gives interesting perspectives about certain subjects in our universe.

Solar System- Wikipedia Encyclopedia

“Wikipedia” provides information about the Solar System that allows teachers to become well-informed about certain topics for the classroom. It also offers pictures from different bodies in space that will allow teachers to have an idea about the subjects being discussed with the students in the class.

Discovery Education- Lesson Plans Library

This site offers teacher candidates to view different examples of lesson plans from a variety of different subjects and topics. After clicking on the link on the site, the page is very easy to understand because it offers different grade levels, as well as links that will direct the viewer to particular topics within the lesson plan.

Bulletin Board Ideas

This site provides a large variety of examples of bulletin boards to be used within the classroom. The site is set up to allow viewers to click on the subject or theme that is to be represented in the class and offers many tips on several of the links.

Teaching Tips Index

“Teaching Tips” is filled with a large selection of tips and links for teachers to read in order to improve the quality of the class. The site allows viewers to click on links that will discuss certain issues and obstacles that teachers may face and suggestions in order to feel more comfortable in front of students.