Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Search

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners learn the names of the nine planets. They are then given a worksheet which they use to identify the planets based on actively listening to the teacher's oral description. This is a great listening activity.
App
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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
Curated OER

Solar Relatives

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the solar system by creating a model representation.  In this space science lesson, students research our solar system and the distances between planets.  Students create a model solar system in their gymnasium...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Distances in Space

For Students 8th - 10th
In this distances in space worksheet, students learn about astronomical units and light years as measurements for great distances. Students use both of these units of measurements to solve five problems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puzzling Planets

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine the concept of a solar system. In this research based lesson, students compare a star and a planet. They explain the requirements for life in a biosphere.
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Exploring the Planets

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students study robotic spacecrafts that have provided detailed information about the inner and outer planets. In this exploring the planets lesson plan, students use posters and diagrams to study the various robotic spacecraft sent to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Fun Facts

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Learners read facts about the Solar System. In this solar system lesson plan, students read facts on the dimensions, planets, and workings of the solar system. There is a big emphasis on Saturn.
Website
American Museum of Natural History

Beyond Planet Earth

For Students 6th - 12th
Scholars take a journey through space with 16 eye-catching images. Along the way, learners read captions starting with the moon, then move onto asteroids, Mars, and Jupiter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: Fantasy Planet

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create their own fantasy planet using computer software on KidPix. In this planets lesson plan, students also write a paragraph about their planet including the name, population, weather, and more.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets or Not, Here We Come!

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Pupils, working in groups, research planets in terms of the size, temperature, number of moons, and potential for life. They use packets and worksheets as guides for their research. Students may role-play as aliens visiting their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring The Neighborhood of the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explain why exploring the universe for life on other planets is an important field of study. They use mathematical formulas to calculate the temperatures of planets as it relates to their distance from the sun. Students use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Whole New World

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars work in small groups to investigate statistics regarding the solar system and participate in a 'scientific conference'. They explore available information about the extrasolar planet and assess the importance of this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Outer Space

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students use the internet to gather information on the solar system. They identify the discoverer and unique characteristics of each planet. They compare and contrast each planet based on size, mass, and distance from the sun. They...
Lesson Plan
University of Colorado

The Moons of Jupiter

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can you name the three planets with rings in our solar system? Everyone knows Saturn, many know Uranus, but most people are surprised to learn that Jupiter also has a ring. The third in a series of six teaches pupils what is around...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paper Mache Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students make a model of the solar system. In this solar system lesson, students make paper mache models of the planets to hand in the classroom, measure the distance to each planet scaled with footsteps, and model the moon's movement...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy and Me: Moons Over New Haven

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study the features of different moons orbiting the planets. In this astronomy lesson, 3rd graders explore the different phases of the moon using an interactive online website. They compare and contrast the features of the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Earth Moon Scaling

For Students 6th - 12th
A wonderful lesson incorporating math and physics skills along with specific details about the planetary bodies. The cross-curricular approach makes for a valid activity to challenge multiple ages and abilities. Your class could work in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spacing Out

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore environmental and geological conditions on other planets in our solar system, comparing their findings to information about Earth. They propose technologies that might assist in supporting human life on those planets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale Model of Our Nearest Stars

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders calculate a light day, light hour, and light minute from the standard of a light year. After establishing the distances, a one meter scale is created to demonstrate the distance between the sun and the planets of our solar...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's "In" There: A Study of the Inner Planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify and explore the four inner planets. In this planet science lesson, 1st graders watch a PowerPoint about the planets. Students read the book Our Solar System and discuss the inner planets. Students create a book...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Exploration to Find Habitable Planets

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students explore space science by reviewing scientific vocabulary terms. In this planet identification lesson, students identify the nine planets in our solar system and discuss which ones could potentially harbor life at some point....
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Students 4th - 5th
For this crossword puzzle worksheet, students read the 20 clues about the solar system. Students then complete the puzzle with 20 words related to the solar system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students create and present PowerPoint presentations on certain aspects of our Solar System. The Nettrekker search engine is used for researching the information. Students can then add music and graphics to enhance their presentations.
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Circles Centered at the Origin: The Map of the Beta Solar System

For Students 11th - Higher Ed Standards
Calculate galactic orbits in a far-out resource. Pupils drag a point on a circle to graph the orbit of a fictional planet. Using the equation, they find points through which the orbit passes. To finish the simulation, users determine the...