Introduce basic Earth and space science to your budding astronauts. This handout works in two ways, the first part provides information about the sun, moon, eclipses, and Earth to be read to or by the class. The second part is composed...

Working in groups, learners create a mnemonic device, give an oral presentation, and create a pictorial representation of the correct sequence of the planets and asteroid belt from the sun. An assessment rubric is included in the lesson.

Sixth graders use various resources to locate information for a database (name of planets, diameter of planets, etc.). They enter the data onto a prepared data grid. Use of Access to sort data is accented within this lesson. Students...

Research the necessary components of a planet that supports life after reading the article "All of a Sudden, The Neighborhood Looks a Lot Friendlier" from The New York Times. After finding their information, middle and high schoolers...

After reading a short excerpt about Mercury, your class will answer four comprehension questions. The worksheet challenges them to fold over the paper and answer the questions without referring back to the excerpt. An answer sheet is...

After reading a short excerpt about the planet named after the Roman god of war, Mars, your class will answer four comprehension questions. The worksheet challenges them to fold over the paper and answer the questions without referring...

What a creative way to discuss the solar system! First, learners get an overview of the solar system. Then, they plan out and organize a trip to one of the planets. And, finally, they describe their imaginary experience. This is a...

Looking for a good, technology-based science lesson for your 3rd graders? This lesson is worth a look! They will utilize PowerPoint to create a presentation for the class on a planet of their choice. They also use document cameras, a...

Review all of the planets in our solar system with this informative PowerPoint. Each planet is listed on its own slide, accompanied by facts and an image. There are three multiple choice question listed at the end of the presentation.

Used in an upper elementary classroom, this presentation could be a center activity or a whole-group experience. This is a great way to review a variety of scientific topics. There are questions relating to the planets, rock formations,...

Introduce your class to Mars with a resource that provides information about its size, location, length of day, length of year, number of moons, and average temperature. Also includes is information about the lans for past and future...

Travel through space as you learn about the galaxy, solar system, planets, and much more. An extensive resource for studying astronomy in upper-elementary and middle school classrooms.

Go back to space school and learn all about Saturn. Explore this ringed gas sphere, its many moons, composition, place in space, and unique qualities. A great video to be viewed on its own or alongside any other space or planet videos.

Questing for information about the red planet? Attend this class at space school and learn all about Mars. Myths, misconceptions, and facts about the planet's long and interesting history are presented. Great video! Look for other space...

Visit the planet Mercury and learn about its orbit, place in the solar system, and difficult past. Closest to the sun and covered in craters, this planet has had it rough. You'll find out that Mercury is actually a dead planet but still...

Can you name all of the planets in our galaxy in order from the sun? The young astronomers in this video demonstrate how they memorized the planets.

Class is in session, and today's topic is the planet Venus! Sit back and learn about our sister planet, her composition, place in space, and atmosphere. The narration is very rapid, making it short but packed with information that may be...

Kids will love this video. Dramatic and informative, this clip describes the gas giant, Jupiter. They'll hear about Jupiter's moons, history, composition, and size in relation to Earth. It takes one thousand Earths to compose one...

Students investigate and design various models of size and distance related to the solar system. They work together to build a solar system model. The models should focus on distance and scale. They don't include moons or satellites in...

Sixth graders investigate the livability of different planets in the universe by researching and organizing information from a number of sources in this unit project. They decide on a location for a space station which they support in an...

A superb interdisciplinary approach highlights this activity which incorporates space science knowledge and narrative skills. After reading The Magic School Bus, two excellent poems, and watching a video, all about our solar system,...

A slide for each of the planets (including recently downgraded Pluto), the sun, our moon, four of Jupiter's moons, and the rings of Saturn make up this visually appealing PowerPoint. A few facts for each body in the solar system...

Space scientistse examine facts about the solar system through the collection of solar system trading cards. They explore various websites, answer questions, and collect solar system trading cards for correct answers.

Survey the solar system by viewing this PowerPoint. Amateur astronomers discover that gravity is responsible for Earth's orbit around the sun and the moon's orbit around Earth. They explore the moon's phases and Earth's seasons. This...