Teacher Feature

Student Objectives:
Direct student attention to various planet surface features
Identify student's knowledge as it relates to Earth's features
Provide overview of how knowledge is collected

Background Information:

Lesson Format: Teacher lecture, Group work, Discussion

Introduction: Have each student list at least 5 surface features in his/her state

Class Activity: Here, There, & Everywhere?

Type: Group discussion

Materials Needed: Reference materials appropriate to age (State maps)

Procedures:
Here
Let volunteers share state features orally. Be sure students only include geological surface features (i.e. not forests).
List on board or have several ready on cards.
Let tables select a feature & do a fast fact find on the discovery (i.e. who found, year, etc.) using references.
Let students share info.

There
Extend discussion on how distant features are discovered (explorers, observations, etc.).
Extend to moon, planets

Everywhere
Relate discussion to how we learn about processes forming the features (theory, experiment, comparisons, simulations)

Discussion Points:
Put key points on overhead (paragraph one)
Give overview of upcoming activities (paragraph two)

Evaluations:
Have students summarize various surface features discussed, how info. was attained, and how we learn about other planetary features.
Let students answer orally or record in log format.

Other Activities, Misc. Information, etc.:
Given state maps and blank state outline, have students identify, draw, & label surface features
Possibly include addition of longitude/latitude link as intro. to next lesson
Research & report on the 7 Natural Wonders of the world. Illustrate them as postcards.
Research earliest observations/stories of the planets