Best Of The Solar System

This activity introduces students to planetary research. Using some of the most famous and interesting images of the Solar System, students learn to focus on details by studying uncaptioned images. Next students increase their knowledge of the planets and their features by comparing their observations to those of real researchers. Students organize their findings to infer a key difference between inner and outer planets.

Summary Page
Summary Page (printable)

Key Questions
1. Students will understand that planetary images contain valuable information, but require interpreation, which is somewhat uncertain.

2. Students will be able to recognize each planet or moon by its unique and identifiable features.

3. Students will be able to understand that scientists summarize findings to look for patterns in groups like planets and moons.

Learning Objectives
1. Students understand that planetary images contain valuable information, but require interpretation, which is somewhat uncertain.

2. Students are able to recognize each planet or moon by its unique and identifiable features.

3. Understand that scientists summarize findings to look for patterns in groups like planets and moons.

General Subject Areas
Solar System, Planets

Author: Maureen Kerr, Priscilla Strain

VIEW THE LESSON

Student Activities
Students use the web site in self-guided or teacher- directed exploration of the bodies in the solar system. Worksheets are provided for student work. In Part I students observe images and make scientific notes in their journals. In Part II they compare their observations for each image with those of NASA space researchers, and answer additional questions. In Part III students summarize their findings by recording which features correspond to the moons and planets of the solar system and looking for a pattern.

Student Prerequisites
Students should know the names of the planets and their order from the Sun. Students need basic familiarity with using a web browser.

Assessment
Student questionnaire
Answer key
Worksheet pt I pdf html
Worksheet pt II pdf html

Extended Learning
N/A

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Time Requirements
Approximately one hour prep time for the teacher and two class periods for the students.

Materials Required
-Online computer access with one computer for every two-three students.
-Student journals or notebook paper for each student.
-Student worksheets included in this lesson.

Required Plugins
N/A.

Additional Resources
Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan (printable)
Subject Background
Detailed Notes (html)
Detailed Notes (pdf)

Best For Grades
middle school

National Science Education Standards (NSES)
grades 5-8

State Science Standards
Grade 5 Earth Sciences
Grade 8 Physical Science
Grades 9-12 Earth Sciences

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