Activity
Mr. Jones's Science Class

Planet Presentation

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Upper-elementary astronomers take on the role of interplanetary real estate salesmen. They research an assigned planet and create a PowerPoint to persuade the rest of the class to purchase property and move there. This fun project would...
Lesson Plan
Voyage Solar System

Round and Round We Go — Exploring Orbits in the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Math and science come together in this cross-curricular astronomy lesson plan on planetary motion. Starting off with a hands-on activity that engages the class in exploring the geometry of circles and ellipses, this lesson...
Unit Plan
NASA

Astronomy Mission Module

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Yes, scientists say, there is other life in our solar system! And the best place to look is on Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Here, learners mimic the techniques scientists use to gather information about objects in our solar system, write...
Unit Plan
Core Knowledge Foundation

Astronomy—Our Solar System and Beyond Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthology

For Teachers 3rd Standards
A read-aloud anthology explores our solar system and beyond. Informational texts about astronomy invite pupils to discuss readings. Extension activities examine vocabulary, sayings, and phrases. Scholars work through the writing process...
Writing
K12 Reader

A Planet in the Solar System

For Students 2nd - 5th Standards
Take young scientists on an exploration of the cosmos with this cross-curricular writing exercise. Tasked with producing an expository composition describing a planet of their choosing, students perform research and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

And a Star to Steer Her By: A Field Trip Guide for the Planetarium Show

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
In this field trip study guide for the planetarium show lesson plan, learners construct a model of the Earth and describe the relative positions of the continents using latitude and longitude. Students construct a star chart to find...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physics of the Planets: How 16th and 17th Century Physicist Helped Us Understand Our Solar System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders draw the paths of the planets in the solar system. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders calculate speed of objects using distance and time information. They research about the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th century.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Let's Investigate Mars

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
Take your science class on a hypothetical field trip to Mars with an engaging astronomy lesson. After first learning about NASA's Mars rover missions, young scientists plan their own scientific investigations of Earth's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the planets and celestial bodies in our solar system. In this outer space lesson, students identify the planets and record journal information about them and other celestial bodies. Students define outer space words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tour of the Solar System

For Teachers 6th
Learners engage in science, math, and language activities as they do research on the components of the solar system. The class begins with some anticipatory activities and discussions before it is divided into small groups to conduct...
Unit Plan
Core Knowledge Foundation

Third Grade Skills Unit 7: What’s in Our Universe?

For Teachers 3rd Standards
Over four weeks, third graders participate in lessons that boost spelling, grammar, reading, and writing skills. Scholars explore spelling patterns, suffixes, singular and plural possessive nouns, quotations, and conjunctions....
Lesson Plan
NASA

Biology Training Module

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Are you a koalafied biologist? The activity begins with research about human survival and our ecosystem. Then, an online training module simulates the effects of changes to the plants and animals in an ecosystem. Finally, scholars...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

Exploring the Sky: Reading Maria's Comet

For Teachers K - 4th
Discover the science behind astronomy. After reading the book Maria's Comet, which is about a young woman who breaks new ground by becoming a female astronomer, young learners practice reading comprehension with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Place and Space

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore number values by completing mathematical worksheets in class. In this decimals lesson, students identify the different place values a number has and the use of decimals to represent a fraction of a number. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy Merit Badge

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore astronomy through the Starry Night Constellation Adventure software. They print star charts and identify constellations. They sketch the Big Dipper and describe the Milky Way. They list the five most visible planets and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puzzling Planets

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine the concept of a solar system. In this research based lesson, students compare a star and a planet. They explain the requirements for life in a biosphere.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plan a Mission to Recently Discovered Planet

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Young scholars plan a mission to a recently discovered planet. In this science lesson, students research spacecraft design, distances in space, long-term missions in space, and life-sustaining planets. Young scholars work in groups to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Explorative Journey Through the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore space science by creating a planetary model in class. For this solar system lesson, students identify the many planets and moons that make up the solar system and decide on one entity in which to research. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking At Illuminated Manuscripts: A Book Of Modern Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners examine a medieval manuscript on astronomy and create their own books based on modern discoveries in astronomy. They choose a subject of modern astronomy that they would like to write and create an illuminated image about.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 'Solar' System Past and Present

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify cardinal and intermediate directions, recognize that models changes due to new or improved observations and technology, identify the major characteristics of the planets including their positions in the solar system,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puzzling Planets

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Young scholars list the order of the planets, describe the general characteristics of each planet and explain why we could not live on other planets without special equipment.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observational Astronomy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research about the characteristics of celestial bodies using a database. In this space science lesson, students collect data such as brightness, apparent color and size by observing the night sky. They share their findings with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Planets

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars research a planet and write a research report about a planet they choose. They import a graphic and add Word Art. They type a paragraph with a topic sentence and at least 3 supporting sentences using a word processing...