This document outlines a 5 day lesson plan about the solar system. Day 1 introduces the unit with a game and vocabulary. Students begin an exploration graphic organizer to record their learning. There is a discussion of stars and the sun's characteristics. Day 2 covers the order of planets and their revolution/rotation. Students do activities on planet distances and weights. Day 3 assesses learning from days 1-2 and has a discussion on planet sizes using demonstrations. Students make models of planet sizes and distances. Day 4 discusses the impacts of the sun and characteristics of inner and outer planets. Students chart planet traits. Day 5 compares and contrasts planets and has a video wrap up. Students turn in projects and organizers on the review day.

1. 12
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
1. Hookthe studentswith
a discussiononthe need
for space exploration,
studentswill participate in
a solar systemknowledge
game and predictplanet
characteristics.
2. Introduce unit
vocabularyandessential
questions
3. Introduce the
developmentof an
ExplorationGraphic
Organizerwhichthe
studentswill reportdaily
on the knowledge,
definitionsandessential
questionsof the unit.
4. Presentdiscussion on
Stars’ andthe Sun’s
characteristics
5. LearningCenters
a. Group Star mobile
providingsix starfacts.
b. “My Sun’s
Uniqueness”Worksheet
5. Introduce examples,
ideas, and rubric
requirementsforstudents’
model projects and due
date.
1. Discussiononthe orderof
whichplanetsorbitthe sun.
2. Presentdiscussionon
revolutionandrotationandthe
distance thateach planetorbits
sun.
Demonstration:“Solar
SystemInMotion” representing
the distance eachplanetorbits
the Sun.
3. Explainwhatan acronymis
and give examples.
4. Learning Centers
a. “From Nearto Far”
AcronymActivity
b. “Are We There Yet”
Worksheetonplanetdistance,
lengthof days and years.
c. “What’s my
Weight/Age”Chart
5. HW: Update Exploration
Graphic Organizer
1. AssessDay 1 and Day 2
proficiency with“My
SolarSystem” Worksheet
2. Classdiscussiononthe
differencesinthe planet’s
sizesrelatedtoeachother
and the Sun
Demonstration:
size of planetswitheither
fruitor sportsballs.
4. Discussiononhowmass
of eachplaneteffects
theirgravitational pull
3. LearningCenters
a. “Solar System
Necklace”illustrating
planetsdistance andsize
usingdifferentbeads.
b. “What’sMy
Weight/Age”Chart-
predictionand scientific
planetweight.
4. HW: Paper planet size
model illustrating planet
size, order and distance
1. Discussiononthe
impactthe Sunhas on
planet’s
characteristics.
2. Discussionon
characteristicsof the
Innerand Outer
Planets
* Temp
* Surface
conditions
* Atmosphere
* Composition
*Moons
3. LearningCenters
a. “That’sthe
Planet”Chart- Charting
planetcharacteristics
4. HW: Think of some
similarities and
differences among the
planets. Be prepared
to discussthe following
day.
1. Developmentof a
chart to compare and
contrast planets
2. “Guess Who”
Assessment
3. Activity: Groupsof 2-
3 “A LetterHome”, and
designafrostedcookie
to representthatplanet.
4. Unit wrap-upwith
“Our SolarSystem”
Videoenjoyingplanet
cookiesandAlienjuice.
Activity:Following
up on Day 1 planet
predictionstoassess
correct predictions.
5. Informstudentsthat
review(Jeopardy) willbe
on Day 6 withunittest
performedonDay7.
6. Remindstudents
solarsystemmodelsand
explorationG.Osare due
day of review.