Introduction

= 5th Grade Solar System Project = = =

=** Introduction **=

In the District of Columbia students learn about the solar system as part of a science unit in the fifth grade. For this project fifth graders at the DC Arts and Technology Academy in the District are assigned a planet within the solar system that they must research. Students will then create a brochure for their planet based on their research. Because this is the first year that the school has had a librarian, database subscriptions have not previously been utilized. Fifth graders have also never received lessons specifically pertaining to citing sources and using research models when searching for information. Students will thus be introduced to AGOPPE, which is the research model used in DCPS, citing sources, and database usage when researching (specifically Britannica Online and PebbleGo Earth and Space because they are used at the school). Once students begin their research, they will use a pathfinder set up by their school librarian. The pathfinder outlines the questions that students must answer when completing their brochures, and what other images and information their brochure must include. The pathfinder also includes links to databases, websites, the assignment rubric, and other resources that students can use when researching and completing their brochures.