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Retrograde Motion
Students study the motions of the heavenly bodies. In this space instructional activity students use models to show a variety of schemes explaining the motions.
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Heliocentric and Geocentric Models
In this worksheet, students read an informational article and view drawings of the two models. In this comprehension worksheet, students answer twelve questions.
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The Solar Cycle
Students research the solar cycle. In this Science lesson plan, students use the internet to investigate the solar cycle. Students produce a spreadsheet and graph from the information collected.
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Earth's Revolution and Rotation
Eighth graders investigate the regular motions of the sun, Earth and the moon and explain how these are related to days, years, seasons, eclipses, tides and moon cycles. They participate in an exercise where they explore the...
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The 'Solar' System Past and Present
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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Sky 2: Shadows
students will explore making shadows and tracking the movement of an object over the course of a day to look for patterns. It is best to couple this shadow activity with reading the book, Bear Shadow, and making a map of Bear's...
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Water and Ice: Part 1
Learners observe the state changes in water. In this matter lesson, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. Learners explore how water can change from a solid to a liquid then back again. They journal their...
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Objects in the Sky
Students explore what the sky looks like at different times. They identify objects in the sky and recognize changes over time. Students observe the sky and look for objects that are common in both the daytime and the nighttime sky.
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Planets or Not, Here We Come!
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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Comets
Students explore the nature and composition of a comet. They research comet facts, legends, and myths. They identify different types of comets and describe what happens to a comet as it travels closer to the Sun.
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guided reading using OWLS
Students complete activities based on All About Owls written by Jim Arnosky, Owl At Home written by Arnold Lobel, and Owl Moon written by Jane Yolen.
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Constellations
Students explore the major constellations. After reviewing the Earth's basic motions and their significance, students discuss the moon's orbit and revolutions. Using a Digitarium Alpha portable planetarium projector, they observe at...
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Cold Fronts And Warm Fronts
Students simulate the movement of cold and warm fronts as they listen to a story about the weather and Mr. Sun. They brainstorm the characteristics of each type of front then write about which front they would prefer if they were a...
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Weather Predictions
Students play the role of weather personalities by making five day forecasts based on data gathered from observations, weather instruments, and weather maps. Each day a small group makes a class forecast for the next day and reviews the...
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Stellar Magnitudes
Learners analyze the stellar magnitude scale. In this stellar magnitude instructional activity, students examine the stellar magnitude scale. Learners predict the Sun's magnitude from various planets.
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How Do Clouds Form?
Students describe how they believe clouds form. They observe the different types of clouds they see and identify the types. They examine what affects the size and shape of clouds.
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A Journey Through Our Solar System
Pupils investigate the concept of the solar system in our universe by constructing a model that is made to a measurable scale. Once the model is constructed it should be placed in a wide open space for observation and demonstration...
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Winter Lights: A Season In Poems & Quilts
Students read the book Winter Lights: A Season in Poems & Quilts and do language arts and math activities that go with the book. In this language arts and math lesson plan, students read the book given and do activities that include...
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Graphing San Diego Tides
Students observe the tides in San Diego for one month. Using this information, they graph the tides on a chart along with the phases of the moon. They answer questions related to the graph to end the instructional activity.
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Watershed Management
Students investigate the concept of a watershed. They conduct research into the concept using a variety of resources. Students take a field trip to a local watershed to make observations. The outcome is a report concerning the outside...
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Variation
Students participate in an online lesson to reinforce the similarities and differences in plants and animals. They classify living things according to observable characteristics.
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Grouping and Changing Materials
Students feel and observe different types of materials. Using the internet, they sort objects based on the materials they are made from and justify their reasons for putting it in a certain category. They identify objects that could...
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Day and Night
Students using experiments try to demonstrate how observations can be affected by the cycles of night and day.
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"Space" Investigations
Sixth graders understand the patterns of change observable on Earth as a result of the movement of the different bodies in the solar system. They identify the physical characteristics of the different components of the solar system.