1) The document is an interactive lesson for 4th grade students that guides them through exploring different aspects of the solar system through online links and activities. 2) Students are instructed to choose a "launch" to begin their exploration, with options including learning about planets, space trivia, astronomy vocabulary words, and the career of astronauts. 3) Each launch takes students to webpages or activities about the topic, and students are to record information and answers on a provided exploration guide.

1. Title Page Our Solar System Windy Plains Elementary School Grade 4 Teacher: Mrs. Grayson

2. Explore! You don’t need a space ship to explore our solar system. Travel on the Internet to the far reaches of space! Find out how much you would weigh on Pluto, or how old you would be on Mars! Learn which planet is the largest, or which one would float in a tub full of water. Learn about how to become an astronaut, or read about dogs who went to space! Press the RIGHT-ARROW KEY on your keyboard to get started!

3. Pre-Launch Checklist Be sure you have the following items before beginning beginning your solar system exploration: A pen or a pencil Your “Launch Guides” (handouts) Your planet destination (assigned by your teacher) Press the RIGHT-ARROW key on your keyboard to view launch options! Then use your MOUSE to select a launch!

4. Launch Page Launch One: Tour the Solar System Launch Two: Destination Planet Launch Seven: Space Wardrobe Launch Three: Space Trivia Launch Five: Be an Astronaut Other Links Launch Six: Dogs in Space Launch Four: Space Words

5. Launch Sequence Interrupted! You may attempt to launch again by following these steps: Click anywhere on this page to return to the “Launch” page Place your mouse pointer directly over one of the launch options. Be sure the pointer changes to a hand before you click!

6. Tour the Solar System Launch One: Tour The Solar System Did you know that scientists believe that our universe is over 500 billion years old?! Find out more about our solar system by watching a short cartoon movie. When you click on the link at the bottom of this page, you will have the option of watching a movie or taking a quiz. Watch the movie first and fill out the answers on your exploration guide. If you still have time, take the quiz and see how you do! Click to watch the movie! More Launches

7. Destination Planet Launch Two: Destination Planet You have been assigned to visit one of the nine planets in our solar system. It’s time to do some pre-space-flight research! You will be taken to a website where you can find out some cool facts that will help you get ready for your visit. Look for the answers to the questions on your Exploration Guide and write them down! Proceed to Planet Links =or= More Launches

8. Destination Planet Links Launch Two: Click on Your Destination Planet! Mercury Venus Earth Uranus Neptune Pluto How old you would be on your planet? What is your planet’s symbol? Mars Jupiter Saturn More Launches

9. Launch Sequence Interrupted! You pressed the right-arrow key, but you didn’t hit a link! Click anywhere on this page to return to the “Destination Planet Links” page Place your mouse pointer directly over the name of your destination planet. Be sure the pointer changes to a hand before you click!

10. Destination Planet Symbols Launch Two: Your Destination Planet Has a Symbol Mercury Venus Earth Uranus Neptune Pluto Mars Jupiter Saturn Click on the name of your destination planet below. You will be taken to a web page that shows the symbol of your planet. You’ll find the symbol right at the top of the page, to the left of the page title! More Launches

11. Launch Sequence Interrupted! You pressed the right-arrow key, but you didn’t hit a link! Click anywhere on this page to return to the “Destination Planet Symbols” page. Place your mouse pointer directly over the name of your destination planet. Be sure the pointer changes to a hand before you click!

12. Space Trivia Launch Three: Space Trivia How much do you know about space and our solar system? Take the Space Quizlet to find out! There are 21 questions…how many can you answer correctly? Play Now! More Launches

13. Launch Sequence Interrupted! You pressed the right-arrow key, but you didn’t hit a link! Click anywhere on this page to return to the “Space Trivia ” page. To choose another launch option, please place your mouse pointer directly over the planet with the words “More Launches” and left-mouse click. Be sure the pointer changes to a hand before you click!

14. Space Words Launch Four: Space Words Can you “speak space?” Look at the list of space-related words on your Exploration Guide for this launch. We’ll be reading and talking about many of these words as we work together to learn about our solar system and the planets. Visit the StarChild Glossary to find out what these words mean. Copy the definitions onto your Exploration Guide! More Launches

15. Launch Sequence Interrupted! You pressed the right-arrow key, but you didn’t hit a link! Click anywhere on this page to return to the “Space Words ” page. To choose another launch option, please place your mouse pointer directly over the planet with the words “More Launches” and left-mouse click. Be sure the pointer changes to a hand before you click!

16. Be An Astronaut What does it take to become an astronaut? Find out what you can do right now to prepare for a career in space! Click on a link below! Link 1: A Basic Outline Link 2: The Outline + Extras & Infos Link 3: Information for younger kids Link 4: More details for older kids Launch Five: Be an Astronaunt More Launches

17. Launch Sequence Interrupted! You pressed the right-arrow key, but you didn’t hit a link! Click anywhere on this page to return to the “Be an Astronaut ” page. To choose another launch option, please place your mouse pointer directly over the planet with the words “More Launches” and left-mouse click. Be sure the pointer changes to a hand before you click!

18. Dogs In Space Launch Six: Dogs in Space People aren’t the only ones who have been in space. In the early days of the space program, dogs were astronauts, too! Find out what happened to Laika, the first dog in space… And how did President John F. Kennedy get a “space puppy?” Go to ENCHANTED LEARNING to find out more! On the opening screen, type “ Dogs in Space ” in the SEARCH box and click on SEARCH NOW. More Launches

19. Launch Sequence Interrupted! You pressed the right-arrow key, but you didn’t hit a link! Click anywhere on this page to return to the “Dogs in Space ” page. To choose another launch option, please place your mouse pointer directly over the planet with the words “More Launches” and left-mouse click. Be sure the pointer changes to a hand before you click!

20. Space Wardrobe Launch Seven: Space Wardrobe What do astronauts wear in space? And what do they do if they need to go to the bathroom? Find out all about an astronaut’s wardrobe by clicking on the links below: Information for younger kids More details for older kids More Launches

21. Launch Sequence Interrupted! You pressed the right-arrow key, but you didn’t hit a link! Click anywhere on this page to return to the “Space Wardrobe ” page. To choose another launch option, please place your mouse pointer directly over the planet with the words “More Launches” and left-mouse click. Be sure the pointer changes to a hand before you click!

22. Explore On Your Own The Virtual Solar System A Scale Model of the Solar System Welcome to the Planets A Virtual Journey Into the Universe Very Cool! A Mystery of Space: Stars Arty The Part-Time Astronaut Great Site! Space Port: Fun Exploration Site & Cool Flashcards Launch Page