Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Planets

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students become familiar with the members of the solar system and planetary order. They identify differences and characteristics of individual planets. Finally students visualize the great size of the solar system and make the image more...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Constellations

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine constellations. In this astronomy instructional activity, students study various constellations and identify five major constellations. They will construct a model of one of the constellations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Planets in Our Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students gain knowledge about earth and space science by studying the nine planets in the solar system as well as their key characteristics. In this solar system lesson, students identify the nine planets. Students work in groups to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the earth in relation to the solar system.  In this planetary lesson plan students complete several investigations into the measurement of the earth and its magnetic field.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students describe the different bodies that make up our solar system, explain the place of our solar system within the Milky Way Galaxy and the universe, explain day and night and the Earth's movement, and describe the relationship...
Lesson Plan
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NASA

Solar System Scale & Size

For Teachers K - 8th Standards
Use a variety of whole fruits to represent the different planets in the solar system to introduce scale sizes to your math or space science class. They follow suit by creating a non-scaled model of the solar system using specific-colored...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Distance Activity

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students examine the distances between the Sun, planets, and smaller objects in the Solar System. They design a model using beads that shows the scale distances of the Solar System using astronomical units converted into a 10 centimeter...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun too close? We'll just change Earth's orbit

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study an article and discuss what would happen if the Earth's orbit changed.  In this Earth's orbit lesson students answer a list of questions and complete an activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Bead Distance Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a scaled solar system model using colorful beads. In this space science lesson, students convert AU units into metric measurements. They arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do Atmospheres Affet Planetary Temperatures?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform a literature search and use reputable research resources in order to find the surface temperature of different planets in our solar system. They speculate about the observed and unobserved factors. Then brainstorming is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders engage in a study of the solar system. The teacher constructs an outside model of it. They walk through it making constructive observations. Students conduct a class discussion about the solar system and planets. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Planets in our Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students learn the order and key characteristics of each planet in our solar system. For this solar system lesson, students work in groups to characterize each planet on an index card. They use their index cards to put the planets in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Place in the Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study and discuss the planets. They create a visual representation of the layout of the solar system and color it. They also write an informative/narrative summary report on the cultural relevance of the Sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planet/Constellation Mobile

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils, through small group discussion, identify and share a rationale for shapes and patterns in the construction of a mobile that represents the solar system that makes them think of the creation of our solar system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voyage to Titan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars go to the linked web page "The Nine Planets" to find facts about Titan. They list elements of the solar system and the five planets of the outer solar system. Students find their weight on each planet. Titan is selected...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Fun Facts

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students read facts about the Solar System. In this solar system lesson plan, students read facts on the dimensions, planets, and workings of the solar system. There is a big emphasis on Saturn.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unveiling the Secrets of Saturn

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students read and study an article then answer questions on Saturn.  In this investigative instructional activity students identify ways space exploration has helped humanity and then they search the Internet for space pictures and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Craters!

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the formation of craters. In this craters lesson, 8th graders discover the various energies involved in the formation of a crater, where you can find a crater in the Solar System, and observations of craters on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners explain the classification of planets according to various criteria. They create charts illustrating comparative data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planet/Constellation Mobile

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students construct three-dimensional solar system mobiles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
In this solar system worksheet, learners find the names of the eight planets in the word search puzzle. The names of the planets are listed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extra Terrestial Excursions

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders determine how long it would take to fly to each of the planets in the solar system. They do two calculations: one, if they were using conventional jet, the other if they were using the fastest spacecraft possible.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of This World (Science)

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students participate in various hands-on activities to visually demonstrate the positions of the planets from the sun. Then they draw a pictorial representation of the order of planets from the sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inner Planets

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create a booklet about the inner planets after researching the characteristics of each planet. Students research the following items for each planet: moons, size, rotation, orbit, atmosphere, an interesting fact. Their final...