Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Place in Space

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify the different planets that make up the solar system. In 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

Space Science

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the objects in our solar system.  In this space lesson plan students identify and describe planets, then classify them as terrestrial or gaseous.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets in Our Solar System

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders research climate and landforms on nine planets in our solar system, choose one planet to visit, gather information about their chosen planet's climate and landforms, and "invent" space suit that would enable them to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strange New Planet

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students simulate different spacecraft missions using materials provided. In this space science lesson, students observe and record a planetary model's features from a distance. They relate this activity to scientists' space exploration...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)

Lost in Space - A Solar System Study

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Fourth graders study the planets of our Solar System collecting data on a worksheet. They use online tools to create a puzzle or other digital product using the information from their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the planets and celestial bodies in our solar system. In this outer space lesson plan, students identify the planets and record journal information about them and other celestial bodies. Students define outer space words.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Exploring Space-Science Puzzlers, Twisters & Teasers

For Students 5th - 8th
In this space worksheet, students complete 12 different science puzzles, word scrambles, and brain teasers about vocabulary terms from their chapter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ceres and Pluto: Dwarf Planets as a New Way of Thinking about an Old Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine the new categories of planets and how planets were reclassified.  In this solar system lesson students complete activities using Venn diagrams and images of planets. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

KNOW YOUR PLACE IN SPACE

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the positions of the nine planets in respect to our solar system and explain the unique characteristics of each planet.
Worksheet
Curated OER

A Family of Planets-Science Puzzlers, Twisters & Teasers

For Students 5th - 8th
In this space science learning exercise, students complete 7 science puzzles, riddles, word scrambles, and teasers about the planets and solar system.
Lesson Plan
3
3
Alabama Learning Exchange

Inner and Outer Planets

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Students explore the solar system. In this planets lesson, students learn about the other planets in the solar system. They watch a video clip from National Geographic on the solar system, compare and contrast the planets and create a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Wanderers: Planets of Our Solar System

For Students 5th - 6th
In this planets worksheet, students read a detailed 3 page text about the planets in our solar system. Students then complete 21 true/false and multiple choice questions about planets.
Lesson Plan
Journey Through the Universe

The Voyage Scale Model Solar System

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Young scientists learn how to select a scale factor for a large scale model. Then they figure the scale for each of the planets and the distance between them. Finally, they construct a giant scale model of the solar system and answer...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Mars Opposition Dance

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Your class will watch as one child orbits the sun as Earth, while another orbits as Mars. If the timing is right, they will see the repetitive dance between the two planets and discover how often they are opposite from each other. For...
App
Curated OER

Solar System

For Students 4th - 8th
Explore the solar system in detail, from it's origins to its components.  Visual data gathered by actual space missions has been used to create the images and animations on each page of this stellar electronic book about the solar...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Birthday Stars

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Space explorers take a virtual trip around the sun right within your classroom! They stand in a circle facing away from the "sun" (a lamp) in the center of the room. As they move according to your instructions, they view different...
Worksheet
New York Science Teacher

Planet Scaling using Extra Terrestrial Tools

For Students 7th - 10th Standards
Your class will use a set scale to convert diameters of planets to the model size, the diagram given to expand on the number of planets drawn as concentric circles, and examine the scale that would be needed to fit the larger...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Sun, Moon, and Our Solar System: Teacher/Student Notes

For Students 3rd - 5th
Introduce basic Earth and space science to your budding astronauts. This handout works in two ways, the first part provides information about the sun, moon, eclipses, and Earth to be read to or by the class. The second part is composed...
Interactive
PBS

Map a Model Solar System

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Creating a solar system map is a snap thanks to a hands-on activity! Science scholars explore the solar system by building it wherever they choose during an interactive from PBS's Space series. Users pick both the location and scale for...
Lesson Plan
Captain Planet Foundation

Square Foot Fall Garden

For Teachers 1st Standards
First graders learn the basic needs of plants and identify geometric shapes while planting a fall garden. Combining math and science in one activity, the resource guides kids through starting their class garden as they...
App
1
1
NASA

NASA

For Students 3rd - 12th
Everything you have ever wanted to know about our solar system, space exploration, and more can be found here. Be prepared to clear your schedule; you will be sucked into the app like a star into a black hole.
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Longer Days, Shorter Nights

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
A lamp, four globes, and some signs taped around the room are all you need to set up a solar system simulation for teaching how Earth's tilted axis creates the seasons. (Sticky dots are also needed, but not mentioned in the materials...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Soda Straw Rockets

For Teachers K - 6th Standards
Three, two, one, blast off to a better understanding of force and motion with this exciting science lesson! Beginning with a discussion about rockets and gravity, young scientists go on to complete a series of worksheets about net...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Space Shuttle Mission STS-128

For Students 6th - 9th
In this space science learning exercise, learners read about the space shuttle mission and answer 6 short answer questions about life of astronauts in space stations.