CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Planets of the Solar System
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Examines the eight planets of our solar system, their orbits, and rotation.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Planets of the Solar System
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Examines the eight planets of our solar system and their orbits and rotation.
Other
Center for Science Education: Eye on the Sky: Motion of the Sun and Earth
Students model the interaction of the earth and the sun. The activity is designed for the playground. You will need chalk, but all the other worksheets are provided.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Seasons: Earth's Orbit
[Free Registration/Login Required] An interactive animation demonstrating the Earth's tilted axis and how that causes the seasons. Also included on the site is a short quiz on the topic.
Other
Astro Methods: Earth's Nutation Visualized
Nutation is a small cyclical motion superimposed upon the steady 26,000-year precession of the Earth's axis of rotation. It is mainly caused by the gravitational effect of the 18.6-year rotation period of the Moon's orbit. The main...
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Ballistics and Orbits Model
Experience a simulation of ballistic trajectories in relationship to Earth's orbit. Java 1.5 or more recent is required.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Reasons for the Seasons
Lesson plan addresses misconceptions about seasonal changes and Earth's orbit through a pre-lesson plan survey and follow-up experiments to scientifically study the answers to questions found in the survey. Includes great teacher...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Astronomy
Eight hands-on lessons module in which students explore the characteristics of planet Earth, its moons, the sun, the solar system, planets, and the difference between science fact and science fiction.
Utah Education Network
Uen: As the World Turns
Third graders use their bodies to act out the motions of earth.
McREL International
Mc Rel: Earth's Axis [Pdf]
A worksheet regarding the path of the Sun around the Earth and the Earth's tilt on its axis.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Venus
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Learn about the distinctive features of the planet Venus.
Curated OER
Earth Rotates Toward the East
This site from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration provides a fun project on rockets. "Nothing in space stands still. Everything either orbits around something else, or moves toward or away from something else. So how do...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Moon Journal Activity
Students use the process of journaling to make discoveries about the moon. This activity involves having students write observations about the moon in a journal. Using their observations they go to an online resource and choose...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Clarke's Dream
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about geosynchronous orbits and their use in satellite communication.
Nine Planets
The Nine Planets: The Moon
Explore the mythology, structure, observational history, gravitational force, and orbit of Earth's Moon.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Meteor Showers
This video segment adapted from NASA uses animation to illustrate the properties of meteor showers and comets. Included is are visualizations of a comet's tail and of Earth passing through a debris stream left behind by meteoroids.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Trb 3:1: Investigation 4: Day and Night
A activity for third graders in which they learn about the rotation of the Earth on its axis and how this movement creates day and night. They also examine the orbit of the moon about the Earth and the Earth's orbit around the sun.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Our Restless Planet
This unit will use demonstrations and student examples to help students gain an understanding of rotation, revolution, and orbit. Through hands-on activities students will explore the concepts of day and night. Technology will be...
NASA
Nasa: Heliophysics: New Science of the Sun Solar System Connection
This site from NASA lists common and uncommon misconceptions about Sun-Earth Science. Site also provides links to activities and lesson plans as well as background reading.
Curated OER
Rocket Launched in Same Direction as Earth Orbit and Rotation
This site from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration provides a fun project on rockets. "Nothing in space stands still. Everything either orbits around something else, or moves toward or away from something else. So how do...
Other
Bad Astronomy/phil Plait: Tides and Why Our Days Are Getting Longer
Why does the Moon always shows the same face to the Earth? Why is the Moon's rotation period the same as the length of time it takes to orbit the Earth? Why are there two tides a day? These questions and more are answered here.
NASA
Nasa: From Stargazers to Starships: The Calendar
A lesson plan that gives an overview of solar and lunar calendars, their history and lore. Also, of the day and the month, and their relations to the rotational period of the Earth and the orbital period of the Moon.For versions in...