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Our Solar System

Unit Plan

Our Solar System

Objectives

 

In this unit, students will learn about the characteristics of planets, moons, and the Sun in our solar system. The focus of the unit is on the characteristics of the Sun and planets. They will build a model of the solar system. Students will:

  • explain how technology extends our ability to learn about our solar system.
  • make predictions based on patterns in our solar system.
  • describe how models are used to better understand relationships in our solar system.
  • compare the characteristics of the inner and outer planets in our solar system.

Essential Questions

Related Unit and Lesson Plans

Related Materials & Resources

The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.

www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/index.html

  • NASA (for students in grades 5-8)

www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/index.html

  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Solar System

www.jpl.nasa.gov/solar-system/

  • The Sun and the Planets

www.bbc.co.uk/solarsystem/sun_and_planets

  • The Solar System

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/solar_system.html

Formative Assessment

  • View

    Multiple-Choice Items:

    1. Which of these planets has an orbit that is closest to the Sun?

    A

    Earth

    B

    Mars

    C

    Mercury

    D

    Venus

    2. Which planet is closest in size to Earth?

    A

    Earth

    B

    Jupiter

    C

    Saturn

    D

    Venus

    3. Which feature is shared by the inner planets in our solar system?

    A

    Rocky surfaces

    B

    Very cold temperatures

    C

    Many rings

    D

    Made up of mostly gases

    4. How long does it take the Earth to orbit the Sun?

    A

    12 1/2 hours

    B

    About 24 hours

    C

    About 28 days

    D

    365 1/4 days

    5. Why do the planets in our solar system orbit around the Sun?

    A

    Because the Sun has the most mass

    B

    Because the Sun has the least mass

    C

    Because the Sun is made of mostly rocks

    D

    Because the Sun is made of mostly helium

    6. True or False: We can use telescopes from Earth to study distant objects in space.

    A

    True

    B

    False

    7. Which season is it in Pennsylvania when the South Pole is tilted toward the Sun?

    A

    Summer

    B

    Spring

    C

    Autumn

    D

    Winter

    8. Which of these planets has a rocky surface?

    A

    Mars

    B

    Jupiter

    C

    Neptune

    D

    Saturn

    9. How do astronomers classify Pluto?

    A

    As a star

    B

    As a sun

    C

    As an asteroid

    D

    As a dwarf planet

     

     

     

     

    Multiple-Choice Answer Key:

    1. C

    2. D

    3. A

    4. D

     

    5. A

    6. A

    7. D

    8. A

    9. D

     

    Short-Answer Items:

    10. What is the difference between a light-year and an astronomical unit (AU)?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    11. In general, what are the differences between planets in the inner solar system and the outer solar system? List the inner and outer planets in the chart below.

     

    Inner Planets

    Outer Planets

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Short-Answer Key and Scoring Rubrics:

    10. What is the difference between a light-year and an astronomical unit (AU)?

    Points

    Description

    2

    • Student explains that an AU is the average distance between Earth and the Sun.
    • Student explains that a light-year is the distance light travels in one Earth-year.
    • Student explains that AUs are used to describe distances within our solar system, and light-years are used to describe distances outside our solar system, between solar systems or galaxies.

    1

    • Student explains that an AU is the average distance between Earth and the Sun.
    • Student explains that a light-year is the distance light travels in one Earth-year.

    0

    • Student states that AUs and light-years are different ways to measure distance in our solar system, but does not explain the difference between them.

          OR

    • Student incorrectly explains AUs and light-years.

     

     

    11. In general, what are the differences between planets in the inner solar system and the outer solar system? List the inner and outer planets in the chart below.

    Inner Planets

    Outer Planets

    Mercury

    Jupiter

    Venus

    Saturn

    Earth

    Uranus

    Mars

    Neptune

     

    Points

    Description

    2

    All three of the expectations are met:

    • Explains that the inner planets are smaller than the outer planets.
    • Describes the inner planets as solid and rocky and the outer planets as mostly made up of gases and ice.
    • Correctly categorizes the inner and outer planets.

    1

    Two of the three expectations are met:

    • Explains that the inner planets are smaller than the outer planets.
    • Describes the inner planets as solid and rocky and the outer planets as mostly made up of gases and ice.
    • Correctly categorizes the inner and outer planets.

    0

    Zero or one of the three expectations is met:

    • Explains that the inner planets are smaller than the outer planets.
    • Describes the inner planets as solid and rocky and the outer planets as mostly made up of gases and ice.
    • Correctly categorizes the inner and outer planets.


    Performance Assessment:

    Materials:

    Hand out copies of the Performance Assessment and Venn diagram worksheet to students. Allow adequate time for responses to Parts 1 and 2.

    Performance Assessment Scoring Rubric:

    Points

    Description

    5

    The student completes all five of the requirements:

    • The Venn diagram contains all of the required information about an inner planet.
    • The Venn diagram contains all of the required information about an outer planet.
    • The Venn diagram correctly compares and contrasts the two planets.
    • The letter home includes at least five clues about the planet.
    • The teacher can correctly guess the planet based on the clues.

    4

    The student completes four of the requirements.

    3

    The student completes three of the requirements.

    2

    The student completes two of the requirements.

    1

    The student completes one of the requirements.

    0

    The student demonstrates lack of understanding or does not attempt to complete the assessment. 

     

DRAFT 05/06/2011
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