This 3rd grade sheet is a planet fact file with a worked example. Page 1 fills one in for Mars: fourth from the Sun, rocky, about half the size of Earth, two moons named Phobos and Deimos, red from rusty dust and home to the tallest volcano, Olympus Mons. A short quick check asks students to label the volcano and the two moons on a diagram. Page 2 is the blank fact file with a drawing box, and page 3 is a teacher guide.
“Record key facts about a planet: its order from the Sun, whether it is inner or outer, and what it is made of.”
Page 2 has a box for each of these.
“Use a completed example as a model for your own writing.”
The Mars file on page 1 uses the same boxes as the blank file on page 2.
“Label parts of a diagram using clues.”
The quick check on page 1 gives a clue beside each of the three numbers.
Boxes for planet name, order from the Sun, inner or outer planet, what it is made of, number of moons and why it looks red, with a picture of Mars and an Amazing Fact box.
A diagram of Mars with a volcano and two moons on pointer lines 1 to 3. Clues in brackets, tallest volcano, closer moon and farther moon, help students choose Olympus Mons, Phobos or Deimos.
A list of the eight planets to choose from, then boxes for planet name, order from the Sun, inner or outer, made of, number of moons and color. A square drawing box and four lines for one amazing fact finish the page.
The three labels for the Mars diagram and a teacher guide with the order, inner or outer group and make-up of every planet, so any student answer can be checked.
Model first
Read the Mars file together and ask where each fact could be found. Students then know what a finished box looks like before they start their own.
Research time
Give each student a different planet and a book or tablet. The moon count and the amazing fact need looking up, which is where the research happens.
Class gallery
Pin the finished files up in order from the Sun. Students walk the wall and find which planets share a box, such as rocky or inner.
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