Lesson Plans and Worksheets
Lesson Planet has been a lifesaver in assisting me with planning great lessons for my students. It has helped me to see what other teachers are using to engage their students in learning.
- 11-27-11
Motions of the planets Lesson Plans
Find teacher approved Motions of the Planets lesson plan ideas and activities
Students conduct different activities in order to unlock the secrets of the universe. They answer different questions that are written to assess knowledge of the planets. Information can be found on the internet to help.
Students experience and participate in a journey through a "Voyage" exhibition of the Solar System and the frontier it covers. They build a dynamic model of the Earth and Sun. Descriptions are given on the relative sizes of the Sun and selected planets and how they are positioned from the Sun.
Eighth graders draw the paths of the planets in the solar system. In this astronomy instructional activity, 8th graders calculate speed of objects using distance and time information. They research about the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th century.
Fourth graders research the objects in the sky. In this solar system activity, 4th graders investigate planets, the Earth's features, gravity, orbiting, and characteristics of the moon. Students illustrate, research, construct a telescope, observe, draw conclusions, and present findings to their peers.
Students explore reasons why people are interested in exploring other planets. After reading an article, they identify developments in the mission to Mars. Using the internet, they research the history of exploring Mars and create a timeline. They write diary entries from the perspective of a scientist.
Students explore the night sky and its solar system. Using a Digitarium planetarium system, students observe four constellations. They discover the phases of the moon and eclipses. Students recognize the difference between normal and retrograde planetary motion.
Learners explain why a transiting planet causes a periodic dimming in the light from its parent star. They determine the radius of a planet, and its orbital distance, by analyzing data and manipulating equations. Students compare the results obtained for the extrasolar planetary system to our own solar system, and they discuss the major differences.
Students apply knowledge of object motion by animating sequences of pictures that model a set of physical conditions, such as orbital motion of planets and satellites, effects of gravity on a falling body, and motions of objects.
Eighth graders create TV commercials about the planets. In this activity on the planets in our solar system, 8th graders study characteristics of the planets in our local system as well as how TV commercials are made. Students will choose one planet and create a TV commercial about that planet using cameras and computers.
Students investigate the motion of Mars. In this space science instructional activity, students use transparencies to trace the path of Mars through constellations. Students discuss the characteristics of the planet.
