University of Colorado
Modeling Sizes of Planets
The density of the huge planet of Saturn is 0.7 g/cm3, which means it could float in water! In the second part of 22, science pupils explore the size and order of the planets. They then calculate weight and/or gravity and density of...
Curated OER
Planets in our Solar System
A wonderfully designed, and very thorough lesson plan on the planets in our solar system. Designed for third graders, this lesson has learners use technology and multimedia tools to research, explore, and create information about the...
Virginia Department of Education
Planet Line-Ups
Should Pluto be considered a planet or a dwarf planet? Scholars research planets in our solar system to understand their similarities and differences. It also includes memory activities related to the order of the planets.
Curated OER
Plot the Planets
Students identify and explain natural cycles and patterns in the solar system. They write short reports about the solar system. Students plot the order of the planets in a colorful diagram. They use Crayola Gel Markers to add a colorful...
University of Colorado
Looking Inside Planets
All of the gas giant's atmospheres consist of hydrogen and helium, the same gases that make up all stars. The third in a series of 22, the activity challenges pupils to make scale models of the interiors of planets in order to...
Curated OER
The Nine Planets
A solid lesson on teaching the nine planets in our solar system is here for you. In it, young scientists learn the correct order of the planets, and they choose one of the planets to do a research report on. They must come up with five...
Curated OER
Planets in Our Solar System
Each member of a four-student group takes on a specific aspect of an assigned planet to research. After gathering information, the team works together to create a travel brochure and a presentation intended to convince other classmates...
Curated OER
Space: Our Star, the Sun, and Its Friends, the Planets
Students examine the solar system. In this space lesson, students identify the order of the planets and their relative size to the sun. Students create a scale model of our solar system using a variety of household objects.
Space Awareness
Know Your Planets
Does your class know their planets? Implement an activity that has them describing the solar system, identifying properties of the planets, and placing them in order from their distance from the sun.
Curated OER
Solar System and Planets
Students identify the main components of the solar system. In this earth science lesson, students order the planets according to their distances from the Sun. They differentiate planets from dwarf planets.
Curated OER
Traveling the Planets!
Fourth graders research the planets and create brochures to share their information. In this planets lesson, 4th graders navigate the Internet to gather information for a brochure about an imaginary trip to their planet. Students...
Curated OER
Galaxy Adventure
Working in groups, learners create a mnemonic device, give an oral presentation, and create a pictorial representation of the correct sequence of the planets and asteroid belt from the sun. An assessment rubric is included in the lesson...
Curated OER
Planets
Third graders discover facts about the planets. In this planets lesson, 3rd graders form groups, choose a plant, gather facts about that planet and create a poster with the information. Students learn "tricks" on how to remember the...
Curated OER
Order It Up!
Learners use the game "Order It Up" an activity about the solar system statistics. The teacher is in the front of a classroom with an Internet-capable computer and a computer projector projecting the game onto the screen. Students have...
Curated OER
How Far Away Are the Planets?
Learners name nine planets in order, describe some notable characteristics of the planets, explain how distance from the sun may affect these characteristics, and create solar system models.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Inner and Outer Planets
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...
Curated OER
The Solar System - A Review
Students analyze their knowledge about the solar system. In this solar system review lesson, students look at a picture of the solar system on the SMART Board, name them in order, and are able to identify the sun as the center. They...
Curated OER
WebQuest Solar System Colonization Project 2000
Sixth graders investigate the livability of different planets in the universe by researching and organizing information from a number of sources in this unit project. They decide on a location for a space station which they support in an...
Curated OER
The Planets in Our Solar System
Young scholars gain knowledge about earth and space science by studying the nine planets in the solar system as well as their key characteristics. In this solar system lesson plan, students identify the nine planets. Young scholars work...
Curated OER
Planets Curriculum
Students investigate the planets in our solar system. They conduct research using a variety of resources in order for students to make cognitive connections with the demonstrations made by the teacher. Students discover how to recognize...
Curated OER
Puzzling Planets
Students examine the concept of a solar system. In this research based lesson plan, students compare a star and a planet. They explain the requirements for life in a biosphere.
Curated OER
Be A Planet
Students identify the name, order and attributes of the planets. They role play the position of planets, and draw pictures of the planets as well.
Virginia Department of Education
Solar System Model
How many planets can you name? Did you get all 13 in our solar system, including the dwarf planets, or were you surprised when you read there are 13 planets? The lesson helps scholars understand the scale of the universe including the...
Space Awareness
The Engine of Life
There is a specific zone, or distance from a star, that a planet must be in order to have water in a liquid form. The activity demonstrates how flux density depends on its distance from the source. A photovoltaic cell gets power to drive...