Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Could the Solar System have Ten Planets?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students react to statements about the solar system, then read a news article about a recently discovered object that could be another planet. In this space science and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the lesson with a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life on Earth and Beyond, Our Search for Answers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students in a special education classroom are introduced to how the universe and solar system was formed. Using the internet, they research the characteristics of Earth that support human life. In groups, they compare and contrast...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars research the characteristics of planets in our solar system. In this space science lesson, students create a solar system model with each planet arranged according to their distance from the sun. They solve problems using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

Water, Weather, and the World

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students in a special education classroom examine the role of weather and water in their lives. Each day, they add a symbol for the weather outside and identify the proper activities for the weather on that day. In groups, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Climate Change Skeptic's Argument: Natural Solar Cycles or Human Activity?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Teachers explore patterns in sunspots and total solar irradiance to understand the counterpoint to the human effect of global warming. In this professional development tool, teachers work through a lesson on the sun's natural...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Language Arts Written Drama Project: Creationism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create and perform science fiction drams based upon their knowledge of the solar system. For this solar system lesson students work in cooperative groups to create a short play and will also score the play.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spacing Out

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore environmental and geological conditions on other planets in our solar system, comparing their findings to information about Earth. They propose technologies that might assist in supporting human life on those planets.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Tooning into the Cosmos

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature space science. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comet Myths, Facts, and Legends

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Here is an interactive book lesson through which learners explore the facts and stories about comets. The plan is comprehensive, providing background information, standards met, vocabulary, assessment ideas, and more. Though the content...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Explorations: To the End of the Earth and Beyond

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students analyze the factors that affect exploration such as religion, trade, territorial expansion, and science. In this Great Explorations lesson, students determine the names of famous explorers as well as their routes and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Explorit's Cold Quiz

For Students 4th - 5th
In this cold quiz activity, students complete a six question multiple choice on-line interactive quiz about cold places and cold weather.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whose Water Is It?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students role-play as San Francisco residents in 1908 who support or oppose the building of a dam in Yosemite National Park. They create posters and write letters to representatives defending their positions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lesson: Space Exploration

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners explore space. In this current events instructional activity, students visit selected websites to learn about NASA, Mars, the Seti Institute, and space exploration terminology. Learners make space glossaries and their own...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Continents and Oceans on the Move

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students create an awareness of the vast percentage of water covering the earth. They relate similarities/differences between topographical maps and other maps of various time periods. Students examine how to use a topographical map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Vocabulary of Space

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students build their knowledge and understanding of vocabulary related to space.  In this space lesson, students discuss four categories of words and phrases related to space. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolution of Observation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop an awareness of the evolution of the scientific method. They facilitate the student's knowledge of looking at variables from different perspectives. Students develop their abilities to defend their ideas with facts or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 4 Activity 1: Mapping the Third Dimension

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners work in pairs to construct a simple stereoscope.
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Our Solar System

For Students 9th - 10th
This interactive tutorial will take students on a tour of our solar system. Students begin near the Sun with the really hot planets of Mercury and Venus. They will learn about Mars, probably the first planet that humans will visit. Next...