Lesson Plan
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Solar System Distance Activity

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students examine the distances between the Sun, planets, and smaller objects in the Solar System. They design a model using beads that shows the scale distances of the Solar System using astronomical units converted into a 10 centimeter...
Lesson Plan
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Outer Space and Beyond

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students compare and contrast the size, characteristics, composition, and orbits of the planets in our Solar System. They view a PowerPoint presentation, and in small groups conduct Internet research on a selected planet. Each group...
Handout
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Our Solar System-- Fact File

For Students 2nd - 3rd
For this space science worksheet, students read facts about the solar system. Students look at the diagram showing the position of the planets. Pluto is included as a planet here.
Lesson Plan
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How Do Atmospheres Affet Planetary Temperatures?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform a literature search and use reputable research resources in order to find the surface temperature of different planets in our solar system. They speculate about the observed and unobserved factors. Then brainstorming is...
Lesson Plan
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E.T. Write Home

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read the book, The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System, and discuss the planets visited by the characters in the book. They write journal entries from the viewpoint of E.T., writing letters home describing his travels in...
Lesson Plan
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Earth's Place in the Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners study and discuss the planets. They create a visual representation of the layout of the solar system and color it. They also write an informative/narrative summary report on the cultural relevance of the Sun.
Lesson Plan
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Are There Other Neighborhoods Like Our Own?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the possibility of life existing on other planets. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The lesson includes an overview that is used for classroom discussion practices. They tell the teacher how to...
Lesson Plan
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Mars: Off the Charts--Until You Put It There

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the night sky and make illustrations which are shared in class the next day. Distinctions are made between the stars and the planets and views of the constellations for the season are made available. The work of early...
Worksheet
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Modeling Celestial Motion

For Students 7th - 12th
In this modeling celestial motion instructional activity, learners fill in the blank about the motion of celestial bodies: planets and stars. Students complete the blanks with information about the scientists and philosophers responsible...
Lesson Plan
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A Star Party

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the parts and function of a telescope.  In this investigative lesson students gain an understanding of a telescope and identify planets and constellations. 
Worksheet
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Out of this World! 1

For Students 4th - 5th
In this space science worksheet, students use reference books or Internet searches to find the answers to 15 questions about the solar system.
Lesson Plan
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Retrograde Motion of Mars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the motion of Mars. In this space science lesson, students use transparencies to trace the path of Mars through constellations. Students discuss the characteristics of the planet.
Lesson Plan
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Solar System Bead Distance Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a scaled solar system model using colorful beads. In this space science lesson, students convert AU units into metric measurements. They arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun.
Lesson Plan
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Solar System Lesson Plan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the internet to answer specific questions about the solar system. They use worksheets to record information about planets. Students increase awareness of the solar system through exploration of websites.
Worksheet
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Neptune

For Students 4th
In this Neptune worksheet, 4th graders learn facts about the planet Neptune and read a short paragraph about the planet. Students enhance their understanding of planets.
Lesson Plan
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Concept Application: One to One Correspondence of Objects

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students consider the comparative sizes of the planets in the solar system. In this scale lesson, students select balls of different sizes to represent the planets in the solar system.
Lesson Plan
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Exploration to Mars... or Not? An Exercise with Split-Screen Electronic Peer Review

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students use split-screen technology which is utilized for an electronic peer review assignment that has students justify whether humans should continue their investigations of the Red Planet or not.
Lesson Plan
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Orbital Motion

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars use a formula to measure the eccentricity of an ellipse, then state Kepler's Law of Elliptical Orbits. They predict the solar energy received at different positions in a planet's orbit.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Space Fact and Fiction Unit: Creating Space Fiction

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create stories about imaginary planets.
Lesson Plan
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Celestial Motions

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders complete a unit of lessons on the history of our knowledge of celestial objects. They conduct Internet research, plot the motion of a planet, construct a model of the sun's apparent motions, and create diagrams of the solar...
Worksheet
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Planet Cryptogram

For Students 4th - 5th
In this science learning exercise, students answer six clues about the solar system. Students use their answers to complete a table with corresponding numbers for each letter.
Lesson Plan
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Planet Paths: Studying Planetary Orbital Paths

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students define and identify planetary orbit, ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola, and simulate Kepler's Second Law. They explore interactive websites demonstrating orbital motion and complete modeling activities.
Lesson Plan
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Planets in Proportion

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students apply estimation strategies and proportional reasoning to determine a scale comparing the planetary bodies to Earth. They convert measurements of time and distance using scientific notation. Both the metric and customary units...
Lesson Plan
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Planet Earth in Cross Section

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students will examine the layers of the Earth. In this geology activity, students create a scale model of the Earth's interior using cash register tape. They will determine the percentage of error in the scale compared to the actual size...

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