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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pocket Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
The scale of the solar system is difficult to grasp without some sort of concrete visual; with some register tape and different-sized stickers, teach astronomers of any age just how spread out our solar system really is. Try to use...
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Activity
Weebly

Phases of Life Poster Project

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Now this is a clever approach to familiarizing aspiring astronomers with the phases of the moon! They first record the specific dates for ten special events in their lives. Then they use an online moon phase calendar to find out which...
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Printables
A to Z Teacher Stuff

Solar System Book

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd Standards
Young astronomers travel through the solar system in the pages of this printable book. With clear pictures and simple sentence structure, this is a perfect resource for exploring the planets in the early elementary grade levels.
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Activity
4
4
Community Consolidated Schools District 168

Solar System Model Project

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Challenge young astronomers to demonstrate their knowledge of the solar system with this fun open-ended science project. Provided with a short list of requirements, students are given the freedom to use their creativity and whatever...
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Worksheet
Canadian Space Agency

The Phases of the Moon

For Students 3rd - 6th
What phase is that moon in? Young astronomers complete a lunar cycle diagram and describe each moon phase below. 
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Worksheet
2
2
T. Smith Publishing

Earth

For Students 3rd - 6th Standards
Young astronomers read an informational text passage and then answer questions based on what they read.
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Worksheet
1
1
TLS Books

Neptune

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
Did you know that Neptune is named after the Roman god of the sea? Young astronomers read about this and other facts about the eighth planet from the sun in a short informational text passage.
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Worksheet
1
1
TLS Books

Jupiter

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
Young astronomers read an informational text on the gas giant, Jupiter. Then they answer four multiple choice questions based on what they read.
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Activity
Star Date

Astronomy Day from McDonald Observatory Solar System Scale Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Add a visual aid to your solar system lessons. Enthusiastic astronomers create a model depicting the nine planets and their distance from the sun. 
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Lesson Plan
NASA

Moon Phases and Eclipses

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Starry-eyed astronomers draw different views of the Moon in order to introduce its phases. Then they experiment with a ball and a lamp to recreate the phases. A demonstration ensures every pupil understands the process, and the...
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Modeling the Big Bang Theory

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young astronomers learn about the Big Bang Theory and redshift through a hands-on activity in the last installment of a three-part series. Participants draw dots on balloons and then inflate them to model how galaxies moved farther apart...
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Activity
It's About Time

Orbits and Effects

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
What does your world revolve around? Challenge the class as they learn about orbits and the effects of them on our modern world. Young astronomers begin by measuring ellipses and calculating the eccentricity of Earth's orbit. Then, they...
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Activity
It's About Time

The Earth-Moon System

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Explore the earth-moon system with blossoming astronomers in this fun-filled activity. They begin by investigating lunar phases and differentiating between each. They continue the activity by learning about tidal forces and how these are...
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Activity
1
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Star Date

Modeling the Night Sky

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Dramatize the stars and planets as they become a visual representation of the solar system in this activity. Young astronomers track and simulate various constellations as they orbit the Earth to learn the position and motion of objects...
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Sun, Earth and Moon Model

For Students 3rd - 5th
The moon orbits Earth while the Earth is rotating, and the Earth revolves around the sun. This can be a tricky concept for young astronomers. Implement an activity that helps distinguish between the movements of Earth's systems around...
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Interactive
PBS

Analyzing Light Curves of Transiting Exoplanets

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Scientists detected exoplanets by measuring how the brightness of stars changed over time. Young astronomers interpret and analyze the same data that led to exoplanet discoveries. They learn to apply light curve graphs and connect the...
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Unit Plan
Princeton University

A Teacher's Guide to the Universe

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Astronomers only observe four percent of the universe as the rest hides in darkness. The size, shape, and movement of the universe are the focus for an long-term high school unit. Its 43 lessons include hands-on experiments, direct...
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Meet Our Neighbors: Moon

For Students 1st - 6th
Since a field trip to the moon isn't possible, bring the moon to young astronomers! Participants use everyday materials to create models of the moon and represent the features on its surface. The materials serve as a tactile as well as a...
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Activity
Las Cumbres Observatory

Star In a Box (Paper-Based)

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Do stars age gracefully? Young astronomers use colored paper and data on luminosity and temperature to model the changes of a star during its lifetime. They then compare models of stars of different mass and radii. 
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Lesson Plan
University of Colorado

Using Spectral Data to Explore Saturn and Titan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Saturn is really far away, but knowledge of its composition is within reach. Future astronomers learn how scientists use spectra to remotely determine the chemical composition of a planet or moon. They try out this concept by analyzing...
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Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Space Jell-O

For Students 6th - 12th
A tasty treat lends its curious substance to space exploration. Mimicking the discoveries of Albert Einstein, young astronomers beginning by making a batch of Jello-O, then four hours later, scholars place edible objects that act like...
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Activity
NASA

When Do Lunar Eclipses Happen?

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Who needs the daylight to simulate a lunar eclipse? Astronomers model the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon to explain the necessary conditions for a lunar eclipse. Investigators cut and label a paper plate to represent the Earth and...
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Activity
NASA

Evaluating a Lunar Eclipse

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Do all lunar eclipses look the same? Find out in an activity where astronomers use the Danjon Scale of Lunar Eclipse Brightness to describe the color and brightness of the moon during an eclipse. Explorers make three observations using...
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Activity
Smarter Balanced

View Through a Telescope

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Preparing for an assessment? Here's an activity that will ensure that all class members have the background knowledge they need to demonstrate their skills on a performance task related to the solar system and the tools astronomers use...

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