Curated OER
The Universe Has Room for Change
In this universe and change worksheet, learners read about the demotion of Pluto as one of the 9 planets as well as other changes in science. Students summarize their reading and identify unfamiliar words in the article. Learners...
Voyage Solar System
Round and Round We Go — Exploring Orbits in the Solar System
Math and science come together in this cross-curricular astronomy lesson plan on planetary motion. Starting off with a hands-on activity that engages the class in exploring the geometry of circles and ellipses, this lesson plan then...
Curated OER
Space Exploration to Find Habitable Planets
Learners explore space science by reviewing scientific vocabulary terms. For this planet identification lesson, students identify the nine planets in our solar system and discuss which ones could potentially harbor life at some point....
Curated OER
Astronomy
In this astronomy worksheet, students read a detailed text about our solar system. Students then answer 15 questions about the information presented.
Curated OER
Solar System Fun Facts
Students 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.
Curated OER
Multiply 3-Digit Numbers by 2-Digit Numbers
By solving word problems related to the planets, 4th graders practice multiplying numbers with several digits. Using this worksheet to solve problems involving 2 and 3-digit multiplication, students practice this skill. This worksheet is...
Curated OER
Space Search
In this space activity, students identify and locate vocabulary terms and names related to space. There are 26 words located in the puzzle.
Curated OER
Space Facts
Students read space facts and click on the links to research more about space objects. In this space lesson plan, students read about comets, planets, the moon, and more.
Discovery Education
Solar System Scale
Extremely large or extremely small numbers are difficult to comprehend. To help understand the massive scale of the solar system, learners complete two activities. First, they create a model to compares the size of the bodies in the...
Curated OER
Solar System
In this online interactive solar system worksheet, students respond to 10 fill in the blank questions regarding the information included in the provided paragraphs.
Curated OER
Gravity, Seasons, and Time
In this Earth worksheet, students read about Earth's gravity, the reason the Earth has seasons, and time zones. Then students complete 21 multiple choice, 2 true or false, and 1 short answer question.
Curated OER
Proofreading Practice
In this proofreading worksheet, students read a short paragraph, find 5 misspelled words and spell each correctly in boxes beneath the paragraph. Worksheet is part of the Glencoe Online site.
Views of the Solar System
Views of the Solar System: Dwarf Planet Pluto
Discover interesting information about the planet Pluto through a vast archive of photographs and scientific facts.
NASA
Dawn Mission: Dawn Classrooms: Dwarf Planets
Students learn about dwarf planet classification through a researched-based instructional strategy called direct vocabulary instruction. Teacher guide and student activity sheet are included.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Kids Science: Learn About the Dwarf Planet Pluto
Kids astronomy. What is Pluto like? How do we know about this dwarf planet?
European Space Agency
European Space Agency: Esa Kids: Our Universe: Pluto
A basic overview of the dwarf planet Pluto. Links to information about the other planets and objects in our solar system are included.
BBC
Bbc Newsround: Pluto Pictures Show Hazy Horizon
View photos of Pluto from NASA's New Horizons probe.
Nine Planets
The Nine Planets: Pluto
This site contains copious information about Pluto. The site contains descriptive and statistical information, as well as a detailed article about the search for trans-Plutonian planets and the "Nemesis" hypothesis.
Cosmos 4 kids
Cosmos4 Kids: Solar System: Pluto
Learn all about Pluto ..its discovery, basic facts, recognition as a planet, and most recently, its 'demotion' from a planet to a dwarf planet. The brief, to the point text makes this site most suitable for younger researchers.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Why Is the Sky Blue? (On Pluto, That Is)
Read about the atmosphere of Pluto.
University of California
Ucla: What Makes a Planet
This detailed essay defines planets and compares the characteristics to those of Pluto. Orbital graphs and background information clarify the change in Pluto's categorization. A copy of IAU's Resolution 5 is also contained in this essay.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Michael E. Brown
This article discusses the life and scientific discoveries of Michael E. Brown. Learn how he is credited with downgrading Pluto from a planet to dwarf planet.
California Institute of Technology
The Discovery of Eris, the Largest Known Dwarf Planet
Until the discovery of Eris, Pluto was known as the largest Keiper belt object. This dwarf planet has replaced Pluto in size and is accompanied by a satellite that has been given the name Dysnomia. Learn about this distant world here...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Pluto
Wikipedia, a publicly-maintained encyclopedia, provides an article on the dwarf planet, Pluto, including images, physical characteristics, history of its naming, the planet/dwarf planet debate, and more.