Lesson Plans and Worksheets
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- Saint Petersburg, FL
- 02-24-11
Space Science Teacher Resources
Find teacher approved Space Science educational resource ideas and activities
Reading, writing, and rings! A lesson plan from NASA combines space science with authentic reading and writing tasks. Included in this lesson plan are pre-reading activities, four mini informational booklets on Saturn, a structured note-taking guide, and an authentic final writing assessment. Young astronauts practice note-taking skills while gathering information about Saturn through their reading. Then they use this information to write a descriptive paragraph for mission control.
A superb interdisciplinary approach highlights this lesson which incorporates space science knowledge and narrative skills. After reading The Magic School Bus, two excellent poems, and watching a video, all about our solar system, young scholars write about their favorite planet and why they like it. Numerous writing activities are included. Extensions suggested include keeping an illustrated Solar System Journal.
Elementary learners explore space science by reading a book in class. Either as a class or in small groups, read When You Look Up at the Moon. Next, pupils discuss what they know about the moon and the importance of the moon's gravity to earth. Additionally, they define space science vocabulary terms and answer study questions.
There is more to the solar system than the typical study of the sun and planets. Launch a study of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets by watching the video The Story of the Solar System, available through this resource on the Discovery Education website. Then break the class into small groups to research celestial objects. Group members create posters that include illustrations and interesting facts, and prepare a presentation for the class about their object.
Students react to statements about space exploration, then read a news article about plans to resume manned flights to the moon. In this space science and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and participate in a class discussion. Lesson includes interdisciplinary follow-up activities.
In this recognizing space science vocabulary worksheet, students read clues, count number of letters with one given, and fill in the blanks with puzzle words. Students write 21 answers.
Students explore space science by reviewing scientific vocabulary terms. For this planet identification lesson, students identify the nine planets in our solar system and discuss which ones could potentially harbor life at some point. Students complete several space worksheets based on hospitable conditions and essential elements for life.
Students compare and contrast Earth and Saturn's planet features. In this space science lesson, students draw a diagram of the solar system and identify the different components. They complete a Saturn system scavenger hunt and Venn diagram after the activity.
Young scholars explore rockets. In this space science instructional activity, students watch the video "Liftoff Into Space" and create a timeline stating the important events in space exploration.
Students identify the different objects that orbit Saturn. In this space science lesson, students plot the graph of orbital speed and distance. They explain why planets and asteroids remain in orbit around the sun.