Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Walk a Mile in your Orbit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create an awareness of the distance between the planets and the complexity of the solar system through a model of an active solar system. they incorporate physical education and math with the ability to convert distances of each...
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

Understanding Distance in Space

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students discover the vocabulary used for distances in space and review measurement units and instruments before creating a scale model of the planets. They determine how to calculate the relative distances between the planets using a...
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

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toilet Paper Solar System

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a model of the distances of the planets in the solar system using sheets of toilet paper and markers. Generally accepted orbital parameters are applied.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Mars

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students, working in small groups construct scale models of the planets and solar system. They examine images of Mars and discuss what might have caused the features. They record facts about their planetary research in their journals and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Globe

For Teachers K - 4th
Students investigate how to use a globe. In this map skills activity, students define what a globe is and locate the various continents on the globe. Students are also asked to locate the four oceans on the globe.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Planet X

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils investigate the movements of the planet Pluto. Students participate in a hands-on activity to record data similar to the movements of the planet Pluto. Pupils compare their data to that found on a website.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth's Rotation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students see a model of a globe to watch the Earth rotate. In this Earth lesson plan, students rotate the globe and shine a flashlight to see where the sun shines and how it rises and sets. They create a diagram and explain day and night...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in Our Solar System Are We?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders research distance between planets and the sun using encyclopedias. They use toilet paper sheets as a unit of measurement (50 million km.) students stand at planet locations using toilet paper to measure distance between.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Place in Space

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify the different planets that make up the solar system. For this space science lesson, 3rd graders construct a scale model of the major planets. They explore their different unique features and dress up as planets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing "Green" to Save Our Green Planet

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students design an environmentally friendly home.  In this middle school math/science lesson, students watch videos on creating green design.  Students work in collaborative groups to determine what makes a house green and to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greenhouse in a Bottle

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students create models of the greenhouse effect using recycled 2-liter bottles. They discuss how their models compares to the real greenhouse effect the earth experiences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Rotation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the rotation of the Earth as it occurs in the 24 hour cycle. They use models of planets and the globe to make observations of movements made. Students brainstorm prior knowledge and then participate in a demonstration of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Predicting the Future

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine how scientists predict the effects of global climate change. In this environmental science lesson, students participate in a discussion about using computer generated data to create climate predictions. Students examine...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

And a Star to Steer Her By: A Field Trip Guide for the Planetarium Show

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
In this field trip study guide for the planetarium show lesson, students construct a model of the Earth and describe the relative positions of the continents using latitude and longitude. Students construct a star chart to find...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion: Changing the Face of Earth

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore how the landscape of the planet can be changed by different elements of wind, water, ice and chemicals through hands-on activities. They examine pictures of areas around town and discuss anything they think is out...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Scale And Ratio

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students measure the actual size and distance of the solar system using scale and ratio. They watch and discuss a video, create a distance-scale solar system model, and compare the scale sizes of planets to their actual sizes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduce Vocabulary: I Am Planet Earth

For Teachers K - 3rd
Learners discover the meaning of tier two vocabulary words. In this vocabulary lesson, students read I Am Planet Earth, listening for 3 pre-select tier two vocabulary words. Words are defined by the teacher and learners practice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mathematical Fingerprint of Our Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars study the beautiful mathematical model unique to our solar system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observations From the Past

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore direct and indirect evidence. In this astronomy lesson, 9th graders investigate the contribution of early astronomers to their field. They create a model of the solar system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space, the Final Frontier...

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students study a common theory on how the solar system was formed and examine the relative scale of the size and distances among the bodies of the Solar System.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introducing The Gulf Stream

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research the average temperatures of different places on Earth. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders explain how the sun's heat cause ocean movement. They discuss how temperature change affects the weather we experience.