Curated OER
Earth's Place in the Solar System
Students study and discuss the planets. They create a visual representation of the layout of the solar system and color it. They also write an informative/narrative summary report on the cultural relevance of the Sun.
Curated OER
Got Space?
Students explore our solar system of planets through research and activities. Using cooperative grouping and interaction, students gain an understanding of how the characteristics of the planets differ from one another.
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
The Solar System Cloze Activity
In this cloze activity instructional activity, students use their reading comprehension skills to fill in 22 blanks in a 1-page reading selection regarding the solar system. A word bank is provided.
Curated OER
Solar System Cloze Activity
In this solar system worksheet, students fill in 21 blanks with words from a word bank at the top of the page. They include information about the solar system, terrestrial planets, gaseous planets, and planetoids.
Curated OER
Sun too close? We'll just change Earth's orbit
Students study an article and discuss what would happen if the Earth's orbit changed. In this Earth's orbit lesson students answer a list of questions and complete an activity.
Other
Discover and Learn: The Asteroid Belt
Read a very brief article on the asteroid belt. Includes an image of an asteroid, as well as a chart showing the asteroid belt's location in relation to Jupiter and Mars.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: The Asteroid Belt (Level 1)
Learn about asteroids in our solar system. Discusses where you will find the asteroid belt and what it is. Vocabulary words linked to a glossary of terms and a printable version are available.
NASA
Nasa: Asteroids: Overview: Ancient Space Rubble
Comprehensive look at asteroids, with many useful facts, photos, and related links. Provides a detailed account of how asteroids get their names and a timeline of significant dates.
Other
University of Leicester: Comets, Asteroids & Meteorites
Provides a general overview of comets, asteroids, and meteorites. Content includes ways to identify them in the night sky, as well as detailed information on each type of small body.
NASA
Dawn Mission: Dawn Classrooms: The History and Discovery of Asteroids
Student groups explore scientific breakthroughs and the development of technologies that eventually led to asteroid discovery aboard the Dawn space mission. Learning module components include jigsaw reading, model building, math...
California Institute of Technology
Spitzer Science Center: Super Comet or Big Asteroid Belt?
This image, titled "Super-Comet or Big Asteroid Belt?" features a chart representing what could either be a large comet or a cluster of asteroids. The text under the image details various specifics about the picture.
PBS
Wgbh: A Visit to Asteroid Vesta
A breakdown of one of the largest asteroids in the solar system, Vesta is featured through data, images, and animation. This asteroid is found in the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Asteroids
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes characteristics of asteroids.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Asteroids
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes characteristics of asteroids.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Astronomy for Kids: Asteroids
Kids learn about asteroids in the science of astronomy. Large chunks of rock and metal that orbit the Sun including the asteroid belt, Ceres, and Vesta.
Nine Planets
The Nine Planets: Asteroids
A plethora of information about Asteroids. This site provides lots of in-text links to information, pictures of asteroids, a table full of information about asteroids, as well as links to more information about asteroids.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Asteroid
This site from the encyclopedia Wikipedia is a good resource page on asteroids. Gives details on different groups of asteroids that have been identified; how they get their name and number after identification; the six types of...
NASA
Nasa Space Place: Asteroid or Meteor: What's the Difference?
Learn the difference between asteroids and comets, meteoroids and meteorites, and more!
Nine Planets
The Nine Planets: Asteroids 253 Mathilde
This site explores what is currently known about the asteroid 253 Mathilde. Content includes an orbiting path, and composition. Links are provided throughout for additional information.
Cosmos 4 kids
Cosmos4 Kids: Solar System Details: Kuiper Belt
Explore space beyond Pluto in the Kuiper Belt region of our solar system. Find out about the space bodies that exist there and what our space missions have taught us about this far away region.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Asteroids, Comets and Meteors
A brief vocabulary overview describing the difference between asteroids, comets, and meteors.
Cosmos 4 kids
Cosmos4 kids.com: Solar System Details
This comprehensive site delves into other aspects of our solar system besides the planets and the sun. Click on the topics on the right like solar winds, the heliosphere, the heliopause, asteroids, comets, and more.