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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils 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. Pupils discover how to recognize the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hubble Space Telescope

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the history and use of the Hubble Space Telescope. They take a quiz in order to establish in any prior knowledge. Students conduct research to find information in conjunction with participating in class discussion...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solstice And Equiniox Curriculum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a lesson that investigates finding the dates of the solstices and equinoxes. They define the terms related to the concept and conduct research in order to explain the physical occurrences. They also relate to how the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey To The Solar System

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders engage in a lesson to find different facts and connect them to the concept of the solar system. They conduct research using the technology integration of the internet. Using the information the students create a classroom...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun Shadow Cycles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use diagrams to review how the Earth rotates around the sun. In groups, they use the same diagrams to explain how the sun shadows are produced and how they differ between seasons. They describe the Earth's rotation and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Happening With the Moon?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars review the process of scientific inquiry. Using this information, they identify the patterns and cycles of the moon as it revolves around the Earth. In groups, they model the phases of the moon from the Earth and Sun's...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planetary Mobile

For Teachers K - 4th
Students receive pre-cut templates of cardboard with appropriate diameters of each planet and the sun. They use multi-colored construction paper, scissors, yarn, and other art supplies to create their own models of planets. When students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gross Motor Development

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a game reflecting the solar system, stars, and rockets. They simulate how space invaders move and hit stars and rockets. They discuss how scientists study the stars and planets.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hey, I've Got A Question!

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the Solar System. They develop a research question and use inquiry-based research skills to find the answers to their questions. Students write up their findings and create a multimedia presentation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Slide Show

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners work in small groups to research a planet in our Solar System in order to compare it to Earth. They examine the planet's size, atmosphere, rotation and revolution periods, temperature, and other attributes. They collect...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets of the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use the internet to research the planets in the solar system. Using the information they collect, they design and create a webpage with the data. They present their material to the class and answer any questions presented to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Solar System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to the nine planets and countless moons of the solar system. Using the internet, they research one of the planets to determine if a manned mission to the planet would be possible. They share their information...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 'Solar' System Past and Present

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify cardinal and intermediate directions, recognize that models changes due to new or improved observations and technology, identify the major characteristics of the planets including their positions in the solar system,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inner Planets

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create a booklet about the inner planets after researching the characteristics of each planet. Students research the following items for each planet: moons, size, rotation, orbit, atmosphere, an interesting fact. Their final...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Socratic Questions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students reflect on and discuss theories of how the solar system was formed. They respond to prompts in a structured sequence to relate the formation of the solar system and the age of the Earth.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders describe the composition of our solar system. They recognize the names of the planets in our solar system and compare and contrast the nine planets that orbit the sun.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planetary Problem Solving

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create their own planet. They determine its diameter, density, composition, mass and orbit. Students create a list of elements necessary to sustain human life. They present their model to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students use a simple physical model of the Earth, sun, and moon to understand why the moon changes phases from the perspective of Earthly observers. They hold up balls representing the moon in a room with a single light source to see...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun Path: Interactive On-line Mac or PC

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students use SunPath in the yearly mode to investigate seasonal changes in sunrise, sunset, length of day and sun altitude at their own latitude. Sun Path JAVA applet uses equations for a spherical Earth to calculate the sunrise and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Planet Sizes

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students compare planet sizes using class members holding fruit to represent the planets. They arrange the nine students in planetary order and compare and contrast the planets. Working in groups, students color and decorate planet...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets or Not, Here We Come!

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students, 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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hopping Across the Solar System

For Teachers K - 6th
Young scholars role-play and communicate that objects in space have describable properties, locations, and movements. Students identify and communicate effectively that Earth is the third planet from the Sun in the solar system, eight...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale Model of the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students work in groups of 4-6 for the experiment/activity part of this exercise. Students know that earth is the third planet from the sun in a system that includes the moon, the sun, eight other planets and their moons, and smaller...