In this activity students will use their research skills to learn about the different components of the solar system (planets, moons, comets, asteroids, etc...) Students will then demonstrate what they have learned by preparing a display and presenting it to their classmates.
Main Curriculum Tie:
Science - 6th Grade
Standard 3 Objective 1
Describe and compare the components of the solar system.
- large cardstock letters that spell NINE PLANETS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
- video clip(s) from a space movie (such as Star Wars, Armageddon, Apollo 13)
- images of the moon, the sun, planets, comets, asteroids, meteors, etc. Possible images could be “Solar System Lithograph Set for Space Science” (NASA LS-2001-08-002-HQ), NASA poster “Mapping the Solar System,” offered through U.S. Geological Survey (I-2447 ) or Internet images arranged in a media presentation (see Web sites below)
- “Hansen Planetarium Solar System Fact Sheet 2002,” printed on card stock, at least one per student group
- student resources, including textbooks, trade books, NASA publications, and Internet access (see Web sites below)
- large black surfaces for each group to display project (poster board, black craft paper, black garbage bag)
- drawings or photos of various spacecraft
- Student copies of the "Notes on teh Solar System" handout. (See attachments below.)
Student Printed Resources:
Beals, Kevin, John Erickson, Cary Sneider. 2000. Messages from Space: The Solar System and Beyond, GEMS, Lawrence Hall of Science.
- Moons of Jupiter. GEMS, Lawrence Hall of Science. This guide includes engaging activities about
the four largest Jovian moons, including a simulation of Galileo’s original observations. A set of 20 slides is included. Although the moons of other planets are not specifically mentioned in the core, the activities in this guide will enrich the students. understanding of the solar system.
There are countless children’s books about astronomy and space. This list is not meant to be inclusive, but to show just a sample of what is available. As you choose books, select those that are accurate and current, have photos and graphics, and have a range of reading levels. You will want both books that cover general astronomy topics and those about specific topics.
- Bonar, Samantha. Asteroids. 1999.
General information about asteroids. Pictures and photos, text covering about half the space, 64 pages.
- Challoner, Jack. The Atlas of Space. 2001.
Large format, covers topics of solar system, deep space, and space exploration. A good overview, double pages for each planet, packed with information, plenty of illustrations. 80 pages, paperback. ($12.95)
- Dickinson, Terence. Other Worlds. 1995.
Good information about all the planets, their moons, and other objects in the solar system. Photos and drawings, about half the pages are text, 64 pages. $9.95
- The Galaxy
This is a set of 10 books about each of the planets and the sun. The books are straightforward with simple, basic information. Pages are organized with a picture on one side and three or four paragraphs on the other side with information about such topics as atmosphere, revolution and rotation, moons, space probes, etc. The books have 24 pages and are written on a 3rd to 4th grade level. The set includes a Teacher’s Resource Book and is available in paperback from Capstone Publishers (www.capstone-press.com) ($56.95). They are also available in hard back from Amazon.com ($18.60 each.)
- Kipp, Steven L., Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
- Vogt, Gregory L., Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto
- Hawkes, Nigel. The New Book of Mars. 1998
Large format many illustrations. Good discussion of Mars space missions. 32 pages, hardbound. ($16.00)
- Ride, Sally & Tom O’Shaughnessy. The Mystery of Mars. 1999.
Detailed description of features and conditions on Mars. Large colored drawings and photographs, text covering about half the space, 48 pages.
- Simon, Seymour
Individual books on individual planets, sun galaxies, and comets, meteors, and asteroids. Basic in-formation written with interesting comparisons and questions, square format, 32 pages, large color photographs. Available in paperback for $6.95. Look up by name of planet.
Solar System. Kids Discover Magazine. 2000.
This 16 page magazine includes photos, drawings, diagrams of the planets interspersed among short paragraphs of information. Back issues are available in quantity from the publisher 20+ at $2.50 each. Phone (212) 677-4457. Astronomy issues include Solar System, Space, Galaxies, Astronauts, Mars, and Moon.
- Spangenburg, Ray. A Look at Jupiter. 2000. (and others)
This book is one of several about the solar system and space missions in a series called Out of This World. The books are more in depth than many books for children. They are
especially helpful for students reading at higher levels. They have 112 pages, with many color photos and detailed scientific information. Titles in the series include A Look at Mars, A Look at Moons, A Look at Saturn, A Look at Venus. There are several books about NASA space projects also. Avail-able in paperback for $14.95.
- USGS Astrogeology Research Program
This quality web site has information and images about the objects in the solar system. The “Mapping the Solar System” poster can be ordered from this site for $7.00 plus shipping. It also has good links to other astronomy web sites.
- Build a Solar System
This web site assists you and your students in making a solar system to the correct scale. You just enter a size for the sun and it computes the correct sizes and distances for the model.
- Your Weight on Other Worlds
This web site will calculate the weight of an object on each planet.
- Nine Planets
This web site has everything about the planets, history, mythology, scientific knowledge, lots of images, and even sounds and movies. An excellent student resource.
- Solar System Exploration
This web site's focus is Solar System Exploration. It features links to the planets and a history of exploration. It is frequently updated with upcoming events and latest images. An excellent student resource.
- Planetary Profiles
This page describes a lesson plan called Planetary Profiles. It would be a good extension for the “Tour of the Solar System” activity. School.discovery.com has other lesson plans on Astronomy. It also has useful links.
- NASA SpaceLink
This is another good NASA site. It includes a search function.
Background For Teachers:
In this activity students use research skills to learn about the components of the solar system. Although students should learn basic information about the solar system, the particular things they learn are not as important as the research process. Students will need access to a variety of re-sources including books, Internet, and NASA materials.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Use science process and thinking skills
- Understand science concepts and principles
- Communicate effectively using science language and reasoning
- Demonstrate awareness of social and historical aspects of science
- Understand the nature of science
Invitation to Learn:
- Devise a quiz show like Wheel of Fortune using the term Nine Planets in the Solar System as the mystery phrase. Print one letter each on cardstock and arrange the cards face down in sequence on a wall or board in the classroom. Divide the class into two teams and have students turn over cards as they guess a correct letter. When they have uncovered the phrase, invite the students to find out more about the solar system.
- Show a clip(s) from a movie such as Star Wars, Armegeddon or Apollo 13, etc. Select a scene that shows space travel or objects in space. Depending on the movie, invite students to speculate if the scene is possible? Discuss the following: Is it possible to visit other planets? Which planets? Will it be possible in the future? What are the planets like? Could there be life on other planets or moons in our solar system?
- Divide students into teams of three to five and have each group brainstorm about what they already know and what questions they have about the solar system. Have each team record what they know on one side of a chart and make a list of their questions on the other side of the chart.
- Meet as a whole class and have groups share information. If students have incorrect information turn it into a question to investigate. Record information and questions on a large class solar system chart. Together generate more questions about the solar system. You may want to make a third column to record answers to the questions at the end of the activity.
- Introduce the major components of the solar system, including the planets, asteroids, and comets. If you desire, you may include major moons and rings of planets. Show images such as NASA solar system lithographs, “Mapping the Solar System” poster, video, transparencies, or books. Keep the information general and brief. Ask questions to generate interest and prompt the students to want to find out more. Examples: What caused these craters on Mercury? What is this wide scar across Mars?, etc. Record these questions on the class chart.
- Use a method of your choice to place students in research teams of 2 to 4 people. Assign each team an object such as a planet, the moon, comets, asteroids, etc. in the solar system.
Optionally, you may also assign students the moons and rings of planets.
- Assign groups to make displays that include particular tasks to complete. The tasks should be possible to complete with your particular set of research materials. The tasks listed in this activity are chosen because they help teach the core standard. You may want to choose additional tasks for your students to complete.
Assign the following activities:
- Make a chart highlighting the team’s solar system object and its position from the sun. Note: Be sure that students understand that this is not a scale model and that planets are not lined up in a straight line.
Make a model of the object to scale with the objects assigned to other groups. Size is assigned so that the scale model size listed coordinates with the “How Big, How Far” activity for Standard IV, Objective 1. Note: Use the measurements below for solar system size. In this scale the larger moons in the solar system will be about .5-.7cm. Asteroids, and comets will be .1cm or less. Alternately, students may calculate the correct sizes themselves. They may also include scale models of moons, if any. If you prefer you may use a different scale for the models. (See the Web Sites in the Materials section for a resource that calculates scale.)
|Scale Size of Planets
- Make four graphs showing the following:
- Relative size of planets
- Relative distance in kilometers or miles, light time, or astronomical units
- Gravitational force of planets compared to gravity of earth or a comparison of how much something would weight on different planets
- One free choice graph
- Have students use the “Hansen Planetarium Fact Sheet 2002” as a resource for graphing data. They may also use the Exploratorium Internet site that calculates weight on different planets (See web sites under Materials)
- Create travel brochures, posters, postcards, or other written material to illustrate and describe physical properties of the object, including size compared to the Earth, whether it is a solid or gas planet, its gravity compared to the Earth, and other interesting, unique physical features and facts.
- Make a time line showing historical information about this object. Major findings from space missions connected with this object should be included. Use current trade books, NASA resources, and Internet sites for resources.
- Allow students time for research. They should use multiple sources of printed material and Internet sources to research and gather information about their object. Resources you may want to use are listed at the end of the activity.
- The student teams prepare a display and present their research to the
rest of the class. Projects may be displayed on black poster board, large pieces of black craft paper, or large black garbage
bags. You may want students to make their display interactive by having something for observers to do. For example, they may have a matching game, lift up tabs, a spinning wheel, or an “answer-the-question” contest.
- Students are now ready to “tour” the solar system. Organize the class for the tour. Have students take notes either on the “Notes on the Solar System” chart or in their science journals as they go from one display to the next.
- In a class discussion refer to the original class chart where knowledge and questions were recorded. Check to make sure knowledge is correct. Check to see if answers to the questions were found. Record them in the chart. Discuss with students questions such as: What did you learn? What surprised you? What do you think you will remember? What is the most important thing you learned? What do you still want to find out? Are there any questions for which scientists do not yet have answers?
- Focus this activity on the question: “Is there life somewhere else in the solar system?” As students go from one group display to the next in a “tour” of the solar system, have them answer questions about surface, the possibility of liquid water, the gravitational force, atmosphere, and amount of energy received from the sun. These topics could be on a chart similar to the “Notes on the Solar System” chart. For more ideas about this topic see the GEMS teacher’s guide Messages from Space. It is built around the question, “Is there life out there?” (See Additional Resources under Materials)
- Have each team create questions about important facts about the planet and display them at the bottom of their display. Compile (you also may have to revise) them for a class quiz. Have teams review the quiz questions at the end of the presentation.
- Have an Astronomy Night where parents visit to take the “Tour of the Solar System.” You may want to arrange a star party for the same night and integrate the other activities in the Astronomy standards.
- Teach lessons in writing such as organization, ideas, voice, and layout as students create brochures, postcards, or posters.
- Teach reading skills to find the main idea and connect it with note taking and question writing as students use the astronomy reference books.
- Teach students reading skills for using nonfiction text structures.
- Collect travel brochures from various places from around the country or world. Use them to teach students how to write and lay out materials for their displays.
- Teach graphing skills as students make graphs for the display.
- Have students calculate the correct size of the scale models for their planets.
- Again show a clip(s) from a movie such as Star Wars, Armageddon, Apollo 13, etc., as you did in the Invitation to Learn. Have students evaluate whether the scene is possible on an other planet or object in our solar system. You may want to select scenes that show both realistic and unrealistic space travel, or scenes that show both possible and impossible physical settings.
- Students write a persuasive essay about whether they think there is life in the solar system any place besides Earth.
- Students compile questions for a spacecraft to investigate as it visits a planet(s). The quality of the questions will reflect understanding about the solar system.
This lesson is part of the Sixth Grade Science Teacher Resource Book (TRB3) http://www.usoe.org/curr/science/core/6th/TRB6/. The TRB3 is designed to be your textbook in teaching science curriculum to your students. This book covers all the objectives of each standard and benchmark. If taught efficiently, a student should do well on the End-of-Level (CRT) tests. The TRB3 is designed for teachers who know very little about science, as well as for teachers who have a broad understanding of science.
Created Date :
Oct 03 2002 15:57 PM