This Web Quest allows the student to work independently with very little direction from the teacher.  It is recommended that before bringing the class to the lab, the teacher should (personally) run through the pages quickly to get an idea of the tasks the children must complete to reach their final destination.

27 students can work on this lab.  (9 planets X 3 sections each.)  3 students are assigned to each planet, and each child will complete only one planet section.  For classes under 27, eliminate, or modify the planet Earth.

As stated in the planets web quest page, (during the very beginning of the quest) the teacher must stand by and assign each child to a planet; then group them together in crews of 3.  (Print out the blank planet assignment sheet and fill in their names.) The children must then meet and decide who will be crew members 1, 2, and 3.
(Teachers click here for a planet assignment sheet.)

After obtaining their data sheets and checklists, the students will then start seeking information as stated on their data sheets.  When all of the material is collected, the students will write a rough draft of their notes and group check all their work.  Once completed they will write a final copy and present an oral report to the class.  The checklist must be completed by the student to make certain that all the steps were followed correctly.

As always, parts of the web quest may be eliminated, but to achieve the full effect, it is recommended that the entire quest be completed.  (Two different periods should do it.)

The estimated time of this web quest is 60 minutes for the use of the computer lab, including research, and one additional hour for classroom editing, proofing and conferencing.  It is strongly recommended that the entire "computer" part (60 minutes) of the web quest, be completed in one sitting as to enjoy the full effect of the blast off and exploration.

An extra math/calculator lesson involving "Your Weight on Other Planets" is available.  To get there click on the planet Saturn in the upper right hand corner of the Mission Application Page.

Please note: If additional time is needed to complete the research part of the Web Quest, click on the alien in the spaceship in the upper left hand corner of the mission application page (the 1st page).  It will take you directly to the Planet Research Page.

Following directions and doing work independently, is a skill needed by most fourth graders.  This web quest enables children to do just that.  There are several links that demand the child to read and follow directions to the letter.  Sound and visual effects make their quest more interesting than just clicking to obtain information.  That is why it is important to reserve at least 60 minutes in the computer lab to complete the exploration part of this web quest.  Good luck.