Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Hall Model

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Not novel, but fun, this lesson gets your space science learners to model the size of the planets and the solar system along your school's hallway. Scaled measurements as well as actual distances are provided for both planet diameters...
Lesson Plan
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Paper Mache Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Learners make a model of the solar system. In this solar system lesson, students make paper mache models of the planets to hand in the classroom, measure the distance to each planet scaled with footsteps, and model the moon's movement...
Lesson Plan
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As the World Turns

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read books and participate in class discussions about the motion of the stars and planets and moons in relation to the Earth. In small groups, 3rd graders act out these movements to music.
Lesson Plan
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Your Day as a Cycle

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate several cycles such as life cycles, and the moon cycle. They examine the sequences and patterns that are associated with daily life by keeping a daily journal for three days, and comparing it with others....
Lesson Plan
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an Explorative Journey Through the Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students, in groups, research a planet from our solar system. They create Styrofoam models of the planets and place the planets on a correct distance scale from the sun.
Lesson Plan
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A Tour of Saturn and Uranus

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders draw and label each planet, Saturn and Uranus, showing 2 specific individual characteristics of each.
Lesson Plan
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Sky Watching

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students complete night-sky observations to understand how our knowledge of the sky has been enhanced by telescopes. Students complete a timeline worksheet giving the history of telescopes. Students then then make their own observations...
Lesson Plan
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How Can the Little Moon Hide the Giant Sun? Exploring Size and Distance

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students compare two objects at different distances. They explore the concept that distance affects how we perceive the size of objects.
Lesson Plan
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Measuring the Speed of Light

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore physics by completing measurement problems in class. For this speed of light lesson, students discuss the importance of knowing the speed of light and how it affects many aspects of human life on Earth. Learners identify...
Worksheet
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Astronomical Data

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this astronomy worksheet, learners use a chart with planetary data comparing the inner planets to each other. Students will use the period of rotation, period of revolution, and distance from the sun for these inner planets to...
Worksheet
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Eclipses

For Students 6th - 9th
In this eclipses worksheet, students read about solar and lunar eclipses to complete 8 short answer questions comparing the two types of eclipses.
Lesson Plan
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Limpet Shell Exercise

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students review the terms and concepts: evolution, selection, biotic, and abiotic factors. They come up with hypotheses about limpet shell types based on what we discuss about intertidal environments. Students use ratios to compare...
Lesson Plan
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In Outer Space

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students use the internet to gather information on the solar system. They identify the discoverer and unique characteristics of each planet. They compare and contrast each planet based on size, mass, and distance from the sun. They...
Lesson Plan
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Astronomy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students brainstorm about what they know about the solar system. They study a planetary fact sheet and create a Venn Diagram with the information. They work in groups to examine the names of the planets and information regarding each of...
Activity
NASA

Star Brightness

For Students 9th - 12th
In this brightness of stars worksheet, high schoolers answer 7 questions about the apparent magnitudes of stars, the sun, and the moon. They compare the brightness of stars, galaxies, astronomical objects and the sun.
Worksheet
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Tidal Forces-Let'er Rip!

For Students 9th - 12th
In this tidal forces activity, students read about the gravitational pull from the moon that causes the ocean tides. Students solve 3 problems including finding the Roche or the tidal radius for the Earth and Moon, comparing the Roche...
Lesson Plan
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Planets in Proportion

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners apply estimation strategies and proportional reasoning to determine a scale comparing the planetary bodies to Earth. They convert measurements of time and distance using scientific notation. Both the metric and customary units...
Lesson Plan
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Planet Interiors

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students compare and contrast the Earth's interior with 2 other planets by looking at images on the computer. In this planet interiors lesson plan, students write a paper about their findings.
Lesson Plan
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The Planets Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils explore the theories of the creation of the universe and examine the properties of celestial bodies. They analyze the relationship between the sun, Earth and other planets. They discover the infinite potential of the science of...
Worksheet
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Comparing Eclipses

For Students 4th - 8th
In this eclipses worksheet, students will compare diagrams of a total solar eclipse with a total lunar eclipse. Students will complete 6 short answer questions based on these diagrams.
Lesson Plan
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Celebrate The Four Seasons

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate cause and effect and compare and contrast how recurring cycles are evident in multiple aspects of their education. They answer questions in the chosen field. Students model each aspect by interpreting, perceiving and...
Lesson Plan
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Moving and Growing

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students learn to understand the role of both skeletons and exoskeletons. In this lesson on exoskeletons, students locate and label bones on diagram of a human skeleton, and observe and discuss bones of chicken and fish. Students then...
Lesson Plan
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Our Home in the Milky Way

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils gain appreciation of the vastness of our galaxy by viewing an applet about the Milky Way. Students hypothesize about how long it would take to get from Earth to Pluto.
Lesson Plan
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Friction

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students compare and contrast the movement of objects on different surfaces, experimenting with friction and forces of motion. This friction instructional activity has numerous online tools including worksheets and virtual activities;...