Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Solar System Scale Model

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Teach the concept of scale models and the size of the solar system through this extensive lesson plan. Students will learn about scale models, estimate which objects to use to create a scale model of Earth and Sun, and figure out how far...
Lesson Plan
South Carolina Educational Television

Know It All: Solar System Simulation

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders will begin to understand the solar system by using and creating models to demonstrate the layout of the solar System.
Lesson Plan
Other

Making a Scale Model of the Solar System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson plan site, middle schoolers are asked to construct a scale model of the planets to help visualize the relative size of planets and their relative distance from the Sun. Links are provided to the Sun and the planets which...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Creating the Solar System

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This two-part lesson begins with a lecture which describes the complex process of creation from molecular cloud to planetesimals to planets to organized solar system. The lecture is followed up with a draw/write activity in which the...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Revolutions of Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How objects in the solar system orbit around each other.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Revolutions of Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How objects in the solar system orbit around each other.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Energy Resources and Systems

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Several activities are included to teach and research the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources and various energy resources. Middle schoolers work with a quantitative, but simple model of energy resources to show how...
Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: Classroom Planetarium

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Create a classroom model of the solar system while teaching about relative size of all the planets, and each planet's distance from the sun.
Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Models of the Earth and Moon

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This lesson plan from the Illinois Institute of Technology demonstrates the causes of; day and night, seasons, and phases of the moon.With a few items, you help the elementary student discover why these phenomena occur.
Activity
University of California

Uc Berkeley: At Home Astronomy: The Size and Distance of Planets

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this activity, "You will investigate the concepts of relative size and distance by creating a basic model of our solar system." Planet printouts are provided and this site contains related links.
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Energy Efficient Housing

For Teachers 9th - 10th
We all know that it takes energy to provide us with the basics of shelter: heating, cooling, lighting, electricity, sanitation and cooking. To create energy-efficient housing that is practical for people to use every day requires...
Lesson Plan
ArtsNow

Arts Now Learning: Phases of the Moon [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th
In this lesson plan, 4th graders use their bodies to model the day/night cycles of the Sun and Earth. Next, they discuss the moon's role in the solar system and explore the eight phases of the moon by acting out a story. Finally, a song...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Photosynthesis Life's Primary Energy Source

For Teachers 6th - 7th
This lesson covers the process of photosynthesis and the related plant cell functions of transpiration and cellular respiration. Students will learn how engineers can use the natural process of photosynthesis as an exemplary model of a...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Life Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This unit covers the processes of photosynthesis, extinction, biomimicry and bioremediation. In the first lesson on photosynthesis, students learn how engineers use the natural process of photosynthesis as an exemplary model of a complex...