What do you know about the planets? - Teacher notes

The lesson plan outlined in the teacher's notes is an interactive and collaborative approach to learning about the planets in our solar system. Pupils are organised into groups of six, with the task of working as a cohesive team to gain a comprehensive understanding of six different planets. Each team member will take on the role of a 'champion' for one planet, becoming the group expert through individual research. This method ensures that every group has a dedicated member who can provide detailed information about their respective celestial body.

The champions will utilise Appendices 1a through 1f as starting points for their research, raising questions and determining the most effective way to present their findings to the rest of the class. The lesson plan encourages collaboration between the champions of the same planets from different groups, allowing them to compare and confirm their findings. Additionally, time is allocated for each group to prepare for a class presentation of their collective knowledge. An interesting aspect of the plan is the group's decision-making process regarding the study of Uranus, which suggests a flexible and student-led approach to learning. This educational strategy not only provides knowledge about individual planets such as Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mercury, and Neptune but also promotes teamwork, research skills, and presentation abilities.