Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Earth's Magnetic Shield Instructional VideoEarth's Magnetic Shield Instructional Video
Publisher
PBS
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 12th
Subjects
Science
1 more...
Resource Type
Instructional Videos
Media Length
2:04
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
30 mins
Instructional Strategies
Direct Instruction
1 more...
Technology
Video
Internet Access
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Instructional Video

Earth's Magnetic Shield

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Earth's Magnetic Shield instructional video also includes:
  • The Sun Lab Interactive
  • Join to access all included materials

Our atmosphere is pretty amazing! How does it minimize the effects of solar weather? Scholars discover Earth's first line of defense against the sun—the magnetosphere. The activity, one of several in a sun unit from NOVA, explains how the magnetized layer deflects ejected plasma.

21 Views 22 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

the sun, the earth's magnetic field, the earth's atmosphere, solar storms, solar wind, charged particles, plasma, auroras

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Incorporate an article about the world's first recorded solar storm, the Carrington Event of 1859, into the lesson
  • Use the last of the discussion questions as a homework assignment to give pupils time to brainstorm answers

Classroom Considerations

  • As the content is a little intense, reassure learners that powerful solar activity is infrequent and is closely monitored

Pros

  • The diagrams of Earth's magnetosphere are well-drawn and helpful for viewers
  • Resource contains the a-ha moment where students discover where auroras come from

Cons

  • None

Common Core

SL.6.2 SL.7.2 SL.9-10.2

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

Ready, Set, Save on Solar Energy Technology!

Kenan Fellows
Does your class have a bright future in the solar energy industry? Science scholars take an in-depth look at what's new in solar technology. After completing research into the solar industry, participants create and market a product in...
9th - 12th Science
PPT

Magnetism

Urbana School District
The compass was first used in 206 B.C., but we didn't discover magnetic poles until 1263 A.D. Presentation begins with the history of magnetism before continuing on to magnetic fields, magnetic forces, electromagnets, currents,...
11th - Higher Ed Science
Worksheet

El sistema solar

Curated OER
Everyone loves learning about space; there's something incredible about how all of this came to be, isn't there? Engage your Spanish language learners with this interesting topic. First, have each pupil cut out their vocabulary...
6th - 7th World Languages
Activity

The Climate Team: Make a Solar Heat Engine

NOAA
Learners investigate how solar energy is converted into heat in part two of the 10-part Discover Your Changing World series. They build and test homemade solar cookers to boil water and cook rice. Pupils consider the impact of heat...
6th - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

The Earth as a Magnet

PHET
Everyone loves playing with magnets and iron filings. Here, young scientists first observe and then participate in an activity demonstrating magnetic fields. After completing their observations, they apply this knowledge...
5th - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
App

Interactive Minds: Solar System

Vosonos
Travel through space as you learn about the galaxy, solar system, planets, and much more. An extensive resource for studying astronomy in upper-elementary and middle school classrooms.
3rd - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Earth's Rotation

California Academy of Science
After completing the activity, "Kinesthetic Astronomy: The Meaning of a Year," zoom in on Earth's rotation using the same simulation setup and this outline. Each class member dons a map of the Western Hemisphere and plays the part of...
3rd - 8th Science
Lesson Plan

Harnessing Solar Energy

Curated OER
Students discover the properties of light (radiant) energy from the sun by experimenting with solar collectors, cookers, and calculators. After a lecture/demo, students create their own solar collectors and test their efficiency.
6th - 8th Science
Instructional Video

Exploring Our Backyard, The Solar System - Part 1/2

Curated OER
A charming narrator introduces viewers to the wonders and history of our own solar system. A full explanation describing the birth of our sun, planets, and entire solar system. This is the first part of a two-part series on our solar...
9 mins 3rd - 8th Science
Instructional Video

How Do Solar Panels Work?

TED-Ed
What are those shiny things that people are installing on the roofs of their houses? Learn about the structure, function, and logistics of solar panels, as well as the challenges of using the sun's energy as our exclusive power source on...
5 mins 4th - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use