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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study how the sun is at the center of the solar system.  For this solar lesson students measure the altitude of the sun and its size.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: Fantasy Planet

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discover Magazine: The Solar System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars research ideas for NASA's space exploration. For this Space Science lesson plan, students will try to find a way to bring NASA back into the spot light. Young scholars will presented their ideas to the class for review.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale Model of the Solar System

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the size of the planets. In this science lesson, students create a scale model of the solar system. Students determine a scaling factor and calculate the size of their planets. Students create a scale drawing of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets in Balance

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study the solar system by researching the planets.  In this exploratory lesson plan students divide into teams and create mobiles.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Milky Way and Beyond

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners consider the scale of the Milky Way Galaxy. In this Milky Way lesson, students hypothesize the length of time necessary to cross the Milky Way.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On Jupiter

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students tour Jupiter. In this scenario based lesson, students examine the size of Jupiter and make models of the other planets in the solar system to show how large Jupiter is compared to the other planets.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing the Outer Planets

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students observe the outer planets. In this science lesson, students use a telescope locate the outer planets of the solar system. Students create a video of their observations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: Let's Take a Trip

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders consider outer space. In this introductory solar system lesson, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will contribute...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Scale Model

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create a model of the solar system. In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders create a scale model of the solar system. Working in pairs students solve mathematical problems to correctly measure the distance each planet is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: The Four Inner Planets and Earth's Moon and Astronauts

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read THe Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System. In this language arts and science instructional activity, 2nd graders explore the four inner planets. Students view the inner planets using Google Earth.
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Lesson Plan
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NASA's Mars gamble pays off

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students read an article about NASA and Mars and complete short answer questions about the article. For this Mars lesson plan, students also create a scale model of the solar system.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revolutions in the Solar System

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders conduct research on the solar system. In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders will work in groups of four to create a power point presentation from their findings. They divide the research amongst the members in their...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

GED Vocabulary: Earth and Space Science

For Students 9th - 12th
In this earth and space science activity, students complete a crossword puzzle given nine terms related to earthquakes, glaciers, the solar system, and sources of energy.
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Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Planets

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the planets through an interactive web site. In this astronomy based lesson, 6th graders compare planets, explore comets, and discover planet facts through a variety of activities provided by the Smithsonian Museum.
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Lesson Plan
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The Solar System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the solar space program and research what options are the most viable.  In this solar system lesson students view a video on the solar system, research the Internet and make recommendations. 
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Lesson Plan
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Working on the Moon

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students take a mission to the moon. In this space science lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about Earth's moon and the solar system. Students may take virtual missions to the moon and share...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets

For Teachers 1st
First graders study the planets in the solar system.  In this planets lesson plan, 1st graders read Planets, then create a mobile containing all of the planets in the correct order. Students will label the planets with descriptive...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning About the Stars

For Teachers 1st
First graders study stars. In this space science lesson, 1st graders determine that it is best to observe stars on a clear night and define various qualities of stars.
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Lesson Plan
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Planetary Weather

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the weather on other planets in our solar system.  In this planetary weather lesson students create a display of the different weather conditions on the other planets. 
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Lesson Plan
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Puzzling Planets

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

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study orbits and ellipses and see the differences between orbits and comets.  In this investigative lesson students do an activity that shows them what objects are more like comets and fill out a worksheet. 
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Lesson Plan
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The Big Bang

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explore our universe. In this solar system lesson, students gain knowledge about the solar system, galaxy, the universe and the Big Bang Theory. Students watch videos and view a slideshow.
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Lesson Plan
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Solar Relatives

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