Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading and Writing About the Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Utilizing the classic Magic School Bus series, young scientists explore the solar system. Some excellent worksheets are included in this plan, such as Planet Roll Call and Solar System in Motion. This is an ambitious 5-day unit that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading and Writing about the Solar System

For Teachers K - 2nd
A superb interdisciplinary approach highlights this instructional 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth in the Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 6th
A three-week unit designed to be completed in an elementary level, dual-language immersion classroom, this resource includes several lessons intended to introduce young learners to the solar system, the Earth and how the Earth compares...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

The Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 4th Standards
Learners explore the Solar System. In this cross-curriculum space instructional activity, students identify the planets, name them in order according to distance from the sun, and describe major characteristics of each planet. Learners...
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Adventure

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars study the solar system and our galaxy, then write a science fiction story based on what they discover. They utilize worksheets and access websites imbedded in this plan to gain ideas for their stories.
Unit Plan
1
1
Core Knowledge Foundation

Astronomy Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthologys

For Teachers 1st Standards
A read-aloud anthology focuses on astronomy. Each week for three weeks, first graders are introduced to and listen to a text, answer comprehension questions, then complete extensions that include a learning activity and skills practice....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: Fantasy Planet

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars create their own fantasy planet using computer software on KidPix. In this planets lesson plan, students also write a paragraph about their planet including the name, population, weather, and more.
Activity
NASA

What Do You Know About Mars?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learn exciting facts about Earth's neighboring planet—Mars! Young scientists collaborate on a KWL chart about Mars, adding information as the activity progresses. Scholars listen while teachers read an article about Mars and watch...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mercury

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study the planet Mercury and develop an understanding of the planet's composition, geology, and other important characteristics. They explore a Web resource on the planet Mercury which is the central focus of this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Intriguing Star, the Sun!

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Explore the sun in a lesson plan about space. The lesson plan spans ten weeks, with students performing activities to answer weekly questions about the Sun and Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Cares for the Land?

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
A very thorough lesson plan focuses on what plants need to grow and stay healthy. There are excellent reading activities and worksheets included in this fine plan. A terrific way to introduce a unit on plants and their needs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun: An Introduction

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students write entries in their Science Journals as they explore the Sun.
Handout
American Library Association

Great Early Elementary Reads

For Teachers K - 3rd Standards
Here is an excellent reference list of over 60 recommended book titles for early readers, each of which includes the author, title, number of pages, and brief summary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Words

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners identify and categorize apostrophes. They create maps of the solar system and write simple sentences using apostrophes that describe each planet's characteristics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hello Sun, Goodnight Moon

For Teachers K
Students become familiar with different times around the world through the reading of 9 O'clock Lullaby.  In this Earth, sun, moon lesson, students recognize the movement of the Earth and the relationship to the sun and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Weather Classroom: Atmosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the planets and their atmospheres online. They write the story of "Goldilocks and the Nine Planets" to explain how each planet's atmosphere differs from Earth's. They design a viable life form.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

A Season for Chapters

For Teachers 2nd Standards
Art, music, poetry, and the beauty of the seasons is what you'll find in this very nice unit idea. You can use any of the suggested books and activities to engage your second graders in an exploration of the changes that take place...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wow, Saturn Is Much Bigger Than Earth!

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students compare and contrast the sizes of Earth and Saturn. They create scale illustrations of each planet and label them. They share their models with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soaring Through Space With a Kid Pix Slide Show

For Teachers 1st
First graders create a slide show on Kid Pix about space. In this space lesson plan, 1st graders will explore the earth, sun, moon, and planets. After exploring their motions and locations around the sun, they create a 4 page slide show...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sorting

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars experience sorting. In this organization lesson, students play a computer sorting game called "Flood Game" on the "Between the Lions" website. Young scholars visit a library and observe and discuss book organization....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crops 2: What Plants Need to Grow

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore agriculture by participating in a plant growth activity. In this botany lesson, students discuss what types of plants grow in their local environment and what the plants need to survive. Students read assigned text about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amazing -- Saturn Is So Far Away!

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students work together to create a scale model of the distances between the planets. They write a paragraph to describe Saturn and their make-believe trip to the planet. They identify other characteristics of Saturn as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Focus on Saturn's Fascinating Features

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scholars identify and discuss the characteristics of Saturn. They create a book using those characteristics. They also develop diagram to show Saturn and its moons.