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Lesson Plan
3
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Alabama Learning Exchange

Inner and Outer Planets

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Students explore the solar system. In this planets lesson, students learn about the other planets in the solar system. They watch a video clip from National Geographic on the solar system, compare and contrast the planets and create a...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Space Travel Guide

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations. 
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Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

Planetary Mysteries

For Students 6th - 12th
Get to know our little part of the vast universe. Learners read about the common and not-so-common facts about each of the planets in the solar system. The interactive lesson includes a large amount of information as well as a quiz to...
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Activity
Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Toilet Paper Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Can we model how large the solar system really is? Attempt an astronomical feat with a hands-on-activity that uses a roll of toilet paper. Young scientists measure the distances of the planets from the sun to create a scale model of the...
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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

The Inner Planets are Out of this World!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners engage in an interactive lesson exploring the Inner Planets through PowerPoint instruction. They then continue their learning experience by participating in a web link activity.
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Interactive
PBS

Map a Model Solar System

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Creating a solar system map is a snap thanks to a hands-on activity! Science scholars explore the solar system by building it wherever they choose during an interactive from PBS's Space series. Users pick both the location and scale for...
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Solar System Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How many planets can you name? Did you get all 13 in our solar system, including the dwarf planets, or were you surprised when you read there are 13 planets? The instructional activity helps scholars understand the scale of the universe...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Inner Planets

For Students 9th - 12th
For this planets worksheet, students review the characteristics of the inner planets: Mars, Venus, Earth, and Mercury. This worksheet has 15 multiple choice questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inner Planet Properties

For Teachers 7th - 10th
In this planets worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer by determining their weight on that planet, its distance from the sun, the days it would take to travel from the Earth, and any other special features.
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

A Classroom Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Create a scaled model of our solar system in your classroom! Scholars work collaboratively to build paper mache planets and hang them in their proper position to showcase each planet's location in the solar system.   
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Where Are We Going?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th Standards
Come take a ride on the space bus! Scholars go on an imaginary trip to pick up their peers from the inner and outer planets while reinforcing math skills. First, learners round decimals to identify each planets' distance from Earth....
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Planetary Distances on the Playground

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
There's no need to stay inside; get out of the classroom and create a scaled map of the solar system on your playground field! In collaborative groups, scholars identify the distance between the sun and other planets, place planet...
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Organizer
Curated OER

What Are the Inner Planets?

For Students 5th
In this inner planet worksheet, students will complete a graphic organizer by writing in information about the four inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
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Lesson Plan
NASA

Let's Investigate Mars

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
Take your science class on a hypothetical field trip to Mars with an engaging astronomy instructional activity. After first learning about NASA's Mars rover missions, young scientists plan their own scientific investigations of Earth's...
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PPT
Mr. E. Science

Our Solar System

For Students 7th - 8th Standards
The presentation starts with the scientists who made discoveries about our solar system: Ptolemy, Copernicus, Galileo, Brahe, Kepler, and Newton. It also covers the planets, inner, outer, and Pluto, satellites, and an in-depth discussion...
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Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Lesson One: The Earth, Background and Glossary

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
How much do you really know about our planet? Middle schoolers build up their prior knowledge about Earth, its placement in the solar system, its composition, and important geological vocabulary with an introductory earth science lesson.
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Interactive46:12
American Museum of Natural History

Field Trip Mars

For Students 6th - 12th
Fly around the Martian surface. Pupils view a presentation on the planet Mars featuring a flyover that shows different views of the surface where rovers have landed and explored on different missions. As individuals watch the images, the...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Planets Worksheet

For Students 4th - 5th
In this planets worksheet, students use Internet research to complete 5 pages about solar system facts. Students answer 25 essay questions and label a diagram of the solar system.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomical Data

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this astronomy worksheet, students use a chart with planetary data comparing the inner planets to each other. Students will use the period of rotation, period of revolution, and distance from the sun for these inner planets to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inner Planets

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners research characteristics of the planets and record their findings on Planet Web worksheet. They create fold paper to create a foldable booklet to display the information they discover about the planets.
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Activity
1
1
Center for Math and Science Education

Pocket Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
How in the world can something as big as the solar system possibly fit in your pocket? Complete this simple modeling activity and find out, as young scientists gain an appreciation for the incredible scale of outer space.
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Activity
Center for Math and Science Education

Solar System Launch

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Trying to understand the vastness of outer space can be quite a challenge for young scientists. Help put things in perspective with this cross-curricular activity as students work in pairs creating scaled models of the solar system,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physics of the Planets: How 16th and 17th Century Physicist Helped Us Understand Our Solar System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders draw the paths of the planets in the solar system. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders calculate speed of objects using distance and time information. They research about the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th century.