Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Introduction to the Universe

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders write descriptive imagery and identify facts about various components of the universe. They listen to the book "The Magic School Bus, Lost in the Solar System," develop a list of descriptive words from the story, compose a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Adventure

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study the solar system and our galaxy, then write a science fiction story based on what they discover. They utilize worksheets and access websites imbedded in this plan to gain ideas for their stories.
Activity
Smarter Balanced

View Through a Telescope

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Preparing for an assessment? Here's an activity that will ensure that all class members have the background knowledge they need to demonstrate their skills on a performance task related to the solar system and the tools astronomers use...
Unit Plan
Core Knowledge Foundation

Third Grade Skills Unit 7: What’s in Our Universe?

For Teachers 3rd Standards
Over four weeks, third graders participate in lessons that boost spelling, grammar, reading, and writing skills. Scholars explore spelling patterns, suffixes, singular and plural possessive nouns, quotations, and conjunctions....
Worksheet
K5 Learning

The Sun and the Stars

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
How are the stars similar to the sun in our galaxy? Learn all about the solar system with a reading excerpt about the sun and the stars. Kids read an informational passage before they answer questions about reading comprehension,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: Journey Through the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the Solar System and examine the characteristics of al the planets. Through research and discussion, they create catalogs of the Solar System's components. Next, students use their findings to create Powerpoint...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beyond the Earth Part II

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Learners explore the solar system. In this solar system lesson, students use Internet and print resources to research a component of the solar system. Learners create travel brochures based on their research findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mercury

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study the planet Mercury and develop an understanding of the planet's composition, geology, and other important characteristics. They explore a Web resource on the planet Mercury which is the central focus of this lesson...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Flip Books!

For Students 3rd - 6th
These aren't exactly worksheets, but rather a selection of pdf files of different atmospheric or solar events. Print your chosen pdf file for each aspiring astronomer in your class, have them cut out the individual mini pages, arrange...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Galileo: Revealing the Universe

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
To gain an understanding of the significance of Galileo Galilei's revolutionary ideas, class members watch the short video "Stargazing Before Galileo," and conduct a close reading of Galileo's Sidereal Messsenger. They then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hello, Anybody Out There?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students understand that people believe there may be life in other solar systems. In this communication with other solar systems lesson, students analyze our planet and write things they want to communicate to other solar systems.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Fact or Fantasy?

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
Are we alone in the universe? This brief informational text on extraterrestrial theory has been split into seven sections to help scholars practice note taking. They read the statements, underlining key words. Then, using the graphic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space and Science Fiction

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Use the Franklin Institute's exhibition "An Inquirer's Guide to the Universe" to have students research ideas for a science fiction story. After completing their research, writers will compose science fiction stories that incorporate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decoding a Mystery Message from Space

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine a message sent from outer space and do their best to interpret its meaning. In this problem solving lesson plan, students investigate a code sent to them from "outer space." The students collaborate with their classmates...
Handout
American Library Association

Great Early Elementary Reads

For Teachers K - 3rd Standards
Here is an excellent reference list of over 60 recommended book titles for early readers, each of which includes the author, title, number of pages, and brief summary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Text Structures in Science Writing

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize that science writing is organized in identifiable patterns called text structures. Understanding and using these different text structures help refine students' abilities to read and write in science.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Intriguing Star, the Sun!

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Explore the sun in a lesson plan about space. The lesson spans ten weeks, with students performing activities to answer weekly questions about the Sun and Earth.
Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Make Your Own Astronomy Stationary

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Scholars follow five steps to create personalized, astronomy-themed stationary. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I, Robot: Chapter Four- Catch That Rabbit

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the development of technology in the 20th century.  In this chapter lesson, 6th graders read and discuss the literary content of chapter four, I, Robot by Isaac Asimov. They research the technology that was...
Worksheet
Curated OER

NASA Anniversary

For Students 5th - 10th
In this NASA Anniversary worksheet, learners complete activities such as reading a passage, phrase matching, fill in the blanks, correct words, multiple choice, spelling, sequencing, scrambled sentences, writing questions, survey, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Motion Experiment

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students experiment with the laws of motion. In this motion lesson plan, students explore Newton's Laws of Motion. Students work in groups experimenting with different objects and observing different types of motion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space: Stars and Planets

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students observe and report that the moon can be seen sometimes at night and sometimes during the day. They describe how changes to a model can help predict how the real thing can be altered. Students explain the essential fact of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading to Learn

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students complete story maps in this instructional activity. Students read "The Magic School Bus", and get into groups to choose their story element. Each group shares their information with the class. They then complete a story map...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Remote Sensing - What Can We See When We Can't Touch?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover how remote sensing is used to identify the signatures of life even when the particular life form is not directly observable. They investigate how a satellite "sees" objects on the surface of Earth.