Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much Would You Weigh On Distant Planets?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the effects of gravity on the planets of the Solar System. They view movies from the lunar Apollo missions, calculate their own weight on other planets, and propose what they might weigh on newly discovered planets around...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explain the classification of planets according to various criteria. They create charts illustrating comparative data.
Lesson Plan
Pacific Science Center

Worlds in Comparison

For Teachers 4th - 12th Standards
Young astronomers follow a step-by-step procedure for dividing a lump of dough into parts, resulting in a scaled volume set of puny planets. Along with the printable directions is a template chart of planet names on which learners can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners explore the solar system on the internet and video programs. They investigate the names of each planet and their places in the solar system. They chose their favorite planet and design an advertisement to sell a vacation to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space: Our Star, the Sun, and Its Friends, the Planets

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine the solar system. For this space lesson, students identify the order of the planets and their relative size to the sun. Students create a scale model of our solar system using a variety of household objects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Outer Planets

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars study the planets Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. In this solar system lesson plan, students read facts about the planets and their location in the solar system. Images, diagrams, and background information on the planets is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Scale And Ratio

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners 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

THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT SPACE

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders set up a scale model of the solar system using the same scale for distance and diameter. They calculate scale distances and sizes for modeling the solar system and relate actual distances to difficulties in discovering and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders name the planets of the solar system in order from the Sun to Pluto and recognize the planets by pictures shown in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students explore planets of the solar system, write reports, and create dioramas.
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
Curated OER

The 'Solar' System Past and Present

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify cardinal and intermediate directions, recognize that models changes due to new or improved observations and technology, identify the major characteristics of the planets including their positions in the solar system,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale Model of the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students work in groups of 4-6 for the experiment/activity part of this exercise. Students know that earth is the third planet from the sun in a system that includes the moon, the sun, eight other planets and their moons, and smaller...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: Let's Take a Trip

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders consider outer space. For this introductory solar system lesson, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Looking for a terrific lesson on the phases of the moon that has lots of good worksheets? With two excellent websites are embedded in the plan, the activity is sure to spark some interest in your astronomy unit. Some common...
Lesson Plan
Journey Through the Universe

Impact Craters: A Look at the Past

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
The Galle crater on Mars is also known as the Happy Face crater because of its appearance. First, scholars use pebbles and flour to simulate craters and study their properties. They then apply this knowledge to help decipher the history...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Probing Our Solar System

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders engage in a instructional activity utilizing small group activities and individual work incorporating student research on space satellites, probes and international connections. They, in groups, construct information disks,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: The Four Inner Planets and Earth's Moon and Astronauts

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read THe Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System. For this language arts and science lesson, 2nd graders explore the four inner planets. Students view the inner planets using Google Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale Model of the Solar System

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Pupils explore the size of the planets. In this science lesson plan, students create a scale model of the solar system. Pupils determine a scaling factor and calculate the size of their planets. Students create a scale drawing of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets

For Teachers 1st
First graders study the planets in the solar system.  In this planets lesson, 1st graders read Planets, then create a mobile containing all of the planets in the correct order. Students will label the planets with descriptive words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Solar System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners are introduced to the nine planets and countless moons of the solar system. Using the internet, they research one of the planets to determine if a manned mission to the planet would be possible. They share their information...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners investigate the planets in our solar system. They conduct research using a variety of resources in order for students to make cognitive connections with the demonstrations made by the teacher. Learners discover how to recognize...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Unit

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students probe an interdisciplinary unit on our solar system. Distances between planets, their characteristics, and applications to student's personal lives are analyzed in this experience. The unit contains seven lessons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voyage to the Planets

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students examine the planets in the solar system.  In this planetatry activity students complete a project using a WebQuest program.