Earth Science
K-6
Video Lesson: Scale Model of the Solar System
National Science Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry
Levels K-12: Understanding about Scientific Inquiry
National Science Content Standard C: Earth & Space Science
Levels K-4: Objects in the Sky, Changes in the Earth and Sky
Levels 5-8: Earth in the Solar System
Key Words: solar system, scale model, planet, moon, asteroid belt, comet, planetoid,
astronomical unit, light year
The ENGAGE phase begins with an activity to inspire your students’ curiosity and
create a “need to know.” Use this phase to focus them on the instructional mission of
the lesson. This is generally a quick activity – 5-10 minutes – but could stretch over a
period of time to heighten suspense.
Regardless of the lesson objectives, you can engage your students through the use of
technology resources, by asking questions, or by offering a short hands-on activity. Use
different methods for your lessons to maintain the novelty of the ENGAGE phase.
Ideas! for this Earth Science Video Lesson
Use Technology to Kick-Start Thinking!
NASA Space Place – http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/sse_flipflop2.shtml –
Provides quick graphics of planets to scale; also the various planets’ moons
compared to the size of the Earth.
Compare Planet Sizes –
http://btc.montana.edu/ceres/MESSENGER/Interactives/ANIMATIONS/Planet_Si
ze_Comparison/PlanetSize.html – Select two solar system bodies and then click
“compare” to view scales balancing the size of the planets.
Astronomy for Kids – http://library.thinkquest.org/3645/Planets/index.html –
Facts, games, and exploration.
52
Earth Science
K-6
Ask Questions!
What is our solar system? What objects are in it?
How many planets are there? [Remember that Pluto has been “down-graded” to
a “planetoid” or “dwarf plant”.] What can you tell me about any of
the planets?
Is there life on any planet other than the Earth? What can you tell
me about travel and exploration recently within our solar system?
Hands-On!
Use a K-W-L chart to assess prior knowledge of the solar system generally or
individual planets specifically.
Display color images of the planets and have students put them into order by
distance from the Sun. Ask students to order them by size.
Read or tell a story related to the solar system or a planet and have your
students draw an illustration for it. Or set the scene with something like this:
If You Went to Mars
Mars is more like Earth than any other planet in our solar system, but it is still
very different. You would have to wear a space suit to provide air for you to
breathe and to protect you from the Sun’s rays. Your space suit would also
protect you from the bitter cold; temperatures on Mars rarely climb above
freezing, and we know it can be as cold as 200°
below zero! You would need to bring along your
own water – although with the right equipment you
could probably get some Martian water from the
air or ground. The Martian surface is dusty and
red, and huge dust storms sometimes sweep over
the plains, making the entire planet dark for days.
Instead of a blue sky, a dusty pink sky would hang
Martian landscape
over you.
Time: 5-15 minutes
53
Earth Science
K-6
In the EXPLORE phase, students interact with concrete materials to figure out an
unanswered question, make observations, and/or problem solve within parameters.
Give the students a TASK that requires their exploration and reasoning about the
concept(s) you are teaching and they are learning. Hands-on activities and “labs” work
the best for this phase, but don’t overlook available technology resources – including
those of your textbook publisher!
Whatever method you choose for this phase, be sure to have your students collect data
– completing tables and charts, drawing diagrams, noting facts and sources, etc.
Science notebooks, graphic organizers, etc., provide convenient vehicles for recording
collection procedures and data, analysis, and conclusions. Elementary students will
benefit from specific instruction in how to “make observations”, what exactly to look for,
and how to record data.
Resist front-loading vocabulary, technical information, and expected results at this time
– allow your students to discover information for themselves.
Ideas! for this Earth Science Video Lesson
Use Technology
Webquests
Searching for Just the Right Planet for an Orbiting Space Hotel –
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/solar_sy.htm – A two-week project for study
teams to research and report on the perfect location for a space hotel in orbit
around one of the other planets in our solar system.
The Solar System: A Webquest for Fifth Graders –
http://www.kaumualii.k12.hi.us/classes2/g201/media/solarsystemwebquestword.
doc – Directions for creating a scaled model of the solar system and using it to
explain orbits and day and night.
Websites
Astronomy for Kids – http://www.kidsastronomy.com/mercury.htm –
Facts, images, and an interactive link to “assemble” the solar system.
Solar System Scale Model Meta Page –
http://www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/solarsystem/ – A weblist of ideas and
resources for creating a scaled-model Solar System; lesson plans, online
calculations, and background information. Check out “Toilet Paper Solar System”
and “Giant Solar System Model”.
54
Earth Science
K-6
ThinkQuest Library –
http://thinkquest.org/pls/html/f?p=52300:30:3781078662144052::::P30_CATEGO
RY_ID:CPJ_ASTRONOMY – Astronomy topics and resources, activities, and
links.
Ask Questions!
How can we build something that is too large for us to see? Why would that be
useful?
Which planet would you expect to have the warmest surface temperature? Why?
How can you find out for sure?
How large do you think the Earth is compared to the other planets? The Sun?
Why does it matter?
Hands-On!
Give the following food items/objects to each group of students. Each item
represents a member of our solar system. Have each group label each item,
display them in order of distance from the Sun, and support their decisions with
facts.
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Raisin or coffee bean
Medium grape or raspberry
Medium-large grape or cherry
Medium-small grape or large blueberry
Cantaloupe
Large orange or grapefruit
Medium orange or tomato
Medium-small orange or nectarine
Grain of rice
Students create a scale model of the planets in the Solar System using paper,
fruits and nuts, or other objects. The relative sizes of the planets will be difficult
for elementary students to grasp, and the distances between planets are so great
that younger students will need help doing more just collect big numbers.
If your students will be using paper to draw scaled models of the planets, the
largest piece of paper available will be used for Jupiter; for example, that means
a 12” (diameter) circle using standard construction paper, or perhaps a 55 cm
(diameter) circle using poster board. You can help your students by providing
paper in the appropriate sizes, or calculate the ratios for them. This website does
the math for you and your students: Build a Solar System –
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/
Time: 25 – 45 minutes
55
Earth Science
K-6
In the EXPLAIN phase, students start by explaining their understandings from the
EXPLORE process. It is important for students to articulate their thinking and support
their conclusions with facts before you provide accurate scientific vocabulary or detailed
information. Allow time for teams to discuss their findings and then to share with other
teams or to the whole class.
This phase provides you with opportunities to check for understanding and informally
assess the progress of your students. You can also note what vocabulary needs and
possible misconceptions are surfacing as you prepare for your instructional time that
concludes this EXPLAIN phase.
Background Information for this Earth Science Video Lesson:
Scale Model: A scale model is a representation of an object that is too small or too
large to easily see. A physical model is one that you can touch. By using ratios we can
calculate the correct size for portions of a scale model. Be sure to guide students in the
benefits and convenience as well as the limitations and inaccuracies of using models.
The planets range in size from Jupiter, the largest being 142,984 km in diameter, to
Pluto, the smallest being 2,390 km in diameter. Even though Pluto is no longer
classified as a planet, many text books still include it.
Solar System Distances:
The distances in space are truly “astronomical.” For objects within the solar system
(comets, planets, moons, asteroids), distance is often specified in Astronomical Units
(AU) – an AU is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun = 149,597,870
kilometers (92,955,730 miles). The distance from the Sun to Pluto, approximately
5,935,890,000,000 meters, is almost 40 AU. The distance light travels in a given period
of time is another unit used to measure these large distances. The distance from the
56
Earth Science
K-6
Sun to Pluto is 5.5 light hours. For objects outside the solar system, the light year (ly)
is usually used. One light year is equal to 63,240 AU. The nearest star to our solar
system is Proxima Centauri at 4.2 light years away. If a passenger jet could travel
through space, it would take about seven million years to arrive at our closest star!
Great lessons on scale of the Solar System:
The Thousand-Yard Model – http://www.noao.edu/education/peppercorn/pcmain.html –
Similar to the Explore hands-on activity with the Earth as a peppercorn and the other
bodies as different nuts and tiny objects, using the outdoors to measure off the
planetary distances.
At Home Astronomy – http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/AtHomeAstronomy/activity_10.html –
Using toilet paper sheets as units for planetary distances; images of the planets to scale
provided.
PowerPoint Presentations on the Solar System:
Night Sky Network – http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=236 –
Download the presentation with amazing graphics from NASA plus the separate script
for details.
There are many quality presentations available for free download through the Internet.
Do an advanced Google© search or try PowerPoint Presentations in Earth and Space
Science – http://science.pppst.com/earthandspace.html
Time: 20-30 minutes
57
Earth Science
K-6
In the ELABORATE phase, students apply what they have learned in the EXPLORE
and EXPLAIN phases and draw on their past experiences and interests. They expand
their learning on new concepts and make connections to the world around them. This
phase often leads to further inquiry.
Ideas! for this Earth Science Video Lesson
Use Technology
Create a PowerPoint presentation using the information you learned about the
planets and the solar system. Be sure to include your resources on a
“Bibliography” slide.
Design flash cards with images and interesting facts for vocabulary related to the
planets and the solar system.
Write and produce a song that helps other students remember important facts
about the planets and the solar system.
Kids Know It Network – http://www.kidsknowit.com/educational-songs/index.php
– A ton of songs in every subject, but a lot in science, sorted by physics, life,
earth, chemistry, biology, etc.
A year is the amount of time it takes for the Earth to make one complete orbit
around the sun. That length of time varies for each of the planets. How old would
you be on _________ (planet)? Calculate Your Age on Other Planets –
http://museumvictoria.com.au/pages/3812/activities/calculate-your-age-on-otherplanets.pdf
Ask Questions!
A “year” is the amount of time it takes for the Earth to make one complete orbit
around the sun. How do the different orbits affect the length of the year for the
other planets?
The Earth makes one complete rotation on its axis each 24-hour (or so) period,
which is one “Earth day”. What is the length of a “day” on the other planets?
What is the timeline of the discoveries of objects in our Solar System? Who are
some of the key scientists who have been involved?
What space explorations have occurred in the last fifty years? Last ten years?
What is planned for the next ten years?
58
Earth Science
K-6
Hands-On!
Using your school campus as the total size for our solar system, choose a
location for the Sun and then “map out” a scale model of the Solar System and
attach scale images of each planet at each appropriate distance.
Create a Big Book to explain the solar system to another class. Include important
information, interesting facts, and illustrations for each planet. Try your hand at
writing some “planetary poetry”!
Scientist Connections:
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) took a giant step
towards a more accurate model of our solar system by
proposing a heliocentric model for our solar system.
Instead of the planets and sun orbiting around the earth
as most people thought, Copernicus provided evidence
that the planets and the earth orbited around the
sun. He thought that using this model would more
simply explain certain phenomena in the universe.
However, he faced religious and secular opposition because his model removed man
from the center of the universe.
Sally Ride (1951 – present) was the first American woman in space. She was selected
by NASA from thousands of applicants and flew her first space shuttle mission in June
1983. She also flew an 8-day mission in 1984 and created history
by spending more than 343 hours in space. Many pharmaceutical
experiments were conducted by Sally, and she was the first
astronaut to use a robotic arm in space. She is currently a
professor of Physics at the University of California in San Diego
and founder of the Sally Ride Space Camps, innovative hands-on
science camps for girls entering 4th - 9th grades. These unique
camps provide girls an opportunity to explore science, technology,
and engineering while having fun on a college campus.
Time: 20-30 minutes
59
Earth Science
K-6
In the EVALUATE phase, students engage in self-evaluation of the learning that has
taken place in the lesson. Students can use reflective journaling in their science
notebooks over the course of the lesson, an especially useful technique when
comparing summative reflections at the conclusion of the lesson to a pre-lesson journal
reflection of prior knowledge. Teachers will gather evidence of student progress all
along the way, as evaluation occurs during all phases of a 5E lesson. Evidence of
progress guides the teacher in the next steps of the lesson.
Written Record Methods: What’s the Difference?
•
•
•
Journals
– Reflections of student learning
– Used after work is done
Logs
– Records of process, observations, and data
– Used during an investigation
Notebooks
– Tools for planning, thinking, data, and reflections
– Used before, during, and after an investigation
If you choose to use science notebooks, one effective method uses facing pages for
separate specific content:
Left Side (Student Side)
Student interacts with the information
from the right side in a creative and
individual way.
Even-Numbered Page
Examples:
• Brainstorming
• Concept Maps/Clustering
• Pair/Share Notes
• Questions
• Brain Dump/Quick-Write
• Flow Charts
• Diagrams/Quick-Draws
• Venn Diagrams
• Cartoons/Illustrations
• Graphs
• Word Tents
• Summaries
60
Right Side (Teacher, Lecture,
Textbook, Handouts)
Student writes down and/or glues in
information from lectures, readings,
videos, labs, handouts, etc.
Odd-Numbered page
Examples:
• Lecture Notes
• Procedures
• Vocabulary
• Knowledge Questions
• Reading Notes
• Video/Internet Notes
• Fill-in Lecture Notes/Graphic
Organizers
• Worksheets
• Cornell-Style Notes
Earth Science
K-6
Further Information on Science Notebooks:
Scientist’s Notebook Toolkit – http://www.ebecri.org/custom/toolkit.html –
Rubrics, self-evaluation, feedback guides, PowerPoint presentations, examples.
What Makes a Great Science Lab Notebook? –
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-laboratory-notebook.pdf –
Practical applications and pointers.
Science Notebooks in K-12 Classrooms – http://www.sciencenotebooks.org/ –
Instructional suggestions and Frequently Asked Questions for elementary teachers.
Science Notebook Essentials –
http://www.ebecri.org/media/Science%20Notebook%20Essentials%20by%20Klentschy.
pdf – A 4-page guide to effective notebook components.
For more information and student examples, please refer to Using Science Notebooks in Elementary Classrooms.
Michael Klentschy. 2008. NSTA Press.
PB209X
Science Notebooks: Writing About Inquiry.
Brian Campbell and Lori Fulton. 2003. Heinemann.
ISBN 978-0-325-00568-3
61
Earth Science
K-6
Webquests:
Searching for Just the Right Planet for an Orbiting Space
Hotel – http://www.internet4classrooms.com/solar_sy.htm
The Solar System: A Webquest for Fifth Graders –
http://www.kaumualii.k12.hi.us/classes2/g201/media/solarsys
temwebquestword.doc
Videos &
Virtual Labs:
Discovery Education Streaming –
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/ – This pay-for-use
site has 22 videos on scale models of the Solar System. They
do offer a free trial.
National Geographic’s Solar System –
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solarsystem – Virtual tour with facts and images of the Solar
System; additional related links.
ThinkQuest Solar System Tour –
http://library.thinkquest.org/28327/main/cockpit.html#bottom –
“Kid friendly” interactive virtual tour of the Solar System; also
sections labeled Universe, Exploration, Chat Rooms,
Biographies, Phenomena, Interactive.
Science NetLinks – http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/ –
Lessons, Tools, Resources, and Benchmarks for K-2, 3-5, 68, and 9-12.
Websites/Resources:
PowerPoint Presentations in Earth and Space Science –
http://science.pppst.com/earthandspace.html
Build a Solar System –
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/ – Does the
math for you to calculate Solar System scaled models in
either metric or standard units.
NASA Science for Kids –
http://nasascience.nasa.gov/kids/kids-solar-system – Wealth
of resources, images, links, interactive games, etc.
Kids’ Science News Network –
http://ksnn.larc.nasa.gov/home.html
62
Earth Science
K-6
The Prometheus Project: Trapped by Douglas E. Richards. 140 Pages.
Reading Level: Ages 9-12. ISBN-13: 9780974876542
This book is a high-quality thriller. It is the story of two young kids who seek
adventure and mystery, so eventually they find themselves involved in an
extraordinary situation. Their parents are at risk so the kids try to help them
by entering a forbidden area and they discover an alien site. What will
happen to them? Are they going to survive? Are their parents going to help them? It is a
story with a tight plot, a lot of action and a lot of science. The author involves
nanotechnology, the internet, and math throughout his story so the readers will be
educated as well as highly entertained.
Postcards from Pluto: A Tour of the Solar System by Loreen Leedy. 32 Pages.
Reading Level: Ages 4-8. ISBN-13: 9780823420650
Robot tour guide Dr. Quasar conducts a happy multicultural group of kids
on a spaceship holiday trip that makes the fiery red-orange sun its first
flyby. What's different about this celestial excursion is that Earth-bound
postcards are allowed. It's through these hand-printed missives that most
of the information is conveyed, with more delivered through balloon dialogues between
Quasar and his eager passengers.
101 Science Poems & Songs for Young Learners by Meish Goldish.
96 Pages. Reading Level: Grades 1-3. ISBN: 0590963694
This collection includes hands-on activities and a bibliography. Several
poems and songs fit into a solar system unit, especially "Planet Roll Call"
and "Solar System in Motion."
And of course the Magic School Bus books:
The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole;
illustrated by Bruce Degen. 40 Pages. Reading Level: Grades 2-4.
ISBN: 0590414283
Ms. Frizzle and her class are out of this world and on a voyage through
the solar system. Companion video; book available in Spanish and as a
Big Book.
Space Explorers (Magic School Bus Chapter Book #4) by Eva
Moore, Ted Enik, Joanna Cole. 76 Pages. Reading Level: Grades 3-6.
ISBN: 0439114934
This fantasy/adventure book is just for fun!
63
Earth Science
K-6
Use this page to jot down ideas, results from ideas tried, additional resources, and
further thoughts.
64
Earth Science
K-6
Use this page to jot down ideas, results from ideas tried, additional resources, and
further thoughts.
Ideas I would like to try
Resources I have found useful
Things that worked well
Challenges I want to address
65
Earth Science
K-6
References
American Association for the Advancement of Science, (2009). Science Netlinks. Retrieved
Various Links from Web site: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/
Brooks, S. (October 4, 1999). Searching for Just the Right Planet. Retrieved from
Internet4Classrooms, Web site: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/solar_sy.htm
Campbell, B., and Fulton, L. (2003). Science Notebooks: Writing About Inquiry. Portsmouth,
NH: Heinemann.
Charity, M. (August 23, 2003). A Solar System Scale Model Meta Page. Retrieved from Vendian
Systems, Web site: http://www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/solarsystem/
Discovery Education, (2009). Discovery Education Streaming. Retrieved Various Video Clips,
Web site: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
East Bay Educational Collaborative, (2009). Retrieved from Scientist’s Notebook Toolkit.
Web site: http://www.ebecri.org/custom/toolkit.html
Fisher, D. (August 25, 2006). Big Planets, Little Planets, Big Moons, Little Moons! Retrieved
from NASA Space Place
Web site: http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/sse_flipflop2.shtml
Flessing, H. Famous Americans: A Webquest for Second Graders. Retrieved from
HeatherFlessing.com
Web site: http://heatherflessing.com/WebQuests/FamousAmericans/SallyRide.htm
Floria, T. (2008). Interactive Science Notebooks. Retrieved from Mrs. Floria's Biology Class
Web site: http://www.floriascience.com/notebooks.html
Gali, M. (June 2006). The Solar System: A Webquest for Fifth Graders. Retrieved from King
Kaumuali’I Elementary School, Web site:
http://www.kaumualii.k12.hi.us/classes2/g201/media/solarsystemwebquestword.doc
Green, N. (April 9, 2009). Life of Nicolaus Copernicus. Retrieved from About.Com Space/Astronomy
Web site: http://space.about.com/od/astronomerbiographies/a/copernicusbio.htm
Hipschman, R. (1997). Build a Solar System. Retrieved from Exploratorium Museum
Web site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/
Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory, (2002). Planet Size Comparison.
Retrieved from MESSENGER, Web site:
http://btc.montana.edu/ceres/MESSENGER/Interactives/ANIMATIONS/Planet_Size_Comparison/
PlanetSize.html
Kids Know It Network, (2009). Astronomy for Kids. Retrieved from Kids Astronomy.com
Web site: http://www.kidsastronomy.com/mercury.htm
Web site: http://www.kidsknowit.com/educational-songs/index.php
66
Earth Science
K-6
Klentschy, M. (2008). Using Science Notebooks in Elementary Classrooms. Arlington, VA:
NSTA Press.
Martin, P. (2009). Earth and Space Science. Retrieved from PowerPoint Station
Web site: http://science.pppst.com/space.html
Museum Victoria, (2009). Calculate Your Age on Other Planets. Retrieved from Science Works
Web site: http://museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/ education/educationkits/planetarium/activities/calculate-your-age/
NASA, (2004). Kids Science News Network. Retrieved from NASA Center for Distance
Learning, Web site: http://ksnn.larc.nasa.gov/home.html
NASA, (January 23, 2002). Searching for Life? Imaginary Martians. Retrieved from Education:
Classroom Activities, Web site:
http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/Education/websites/astrobiologyeducation/Data/imaginMartians.
PDF
NASA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, (2009). Explorers’ Guide to
the Solar System. Retrieved from Night-Sky Network
Web site: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=236
NASA Science for Kids, (March 18, 2009). Solar System Fun. Retrieved Various Links from
Web site: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/kids/kids-solar-system
National Geographic, (2009). Solar System. Retrieved from Science and Space
Web site: http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system
North Cascade and Olympic Science Partnership, Science Notebooks in K-12 Classrooms.
Retrieved Various Links from Web site: http://www.sciencenotebooks.org/
Oracle Education Foundation, (2009). ThinkQuest Planets, ThinkQuest Library, Solar System
Tour, Astronomy for Kids. Retrieved from ThinkQuest
Web site: http://www.thinkquest.org/pls/html/think.library
Ottewell, A. (1989). The Thousand-Yard Model. Retrieved from National Optical Astronomy
Observatory, Web site: http://www.noao.edu/education/peppercorn/pcmain.html
Rebbeck, J. (2005). What makes a great science lab notebook? Retrieved from Science
Buddies, Web site:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-laboratory-notebook.pdf
Regents at UC Berkeley, (2001). At Home Astronomy. Retrieved from Center for Science
Education at UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory
Web site: http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/AtHomeAstronomy/activity_10.html
Weisstein, E. (2007). Copernicus, Nicholaus. Retrieved from Science World
Web site: http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/Copernicus.html
67
Earth Science
K-6
Images
Classroom Clipart. (June, 2008) Solar_System1. [.jpg] Retrieved from collection
http://classroomclipart.com/images/gallery/Space/Solar_System1.jpg
Clipart Heaven. (2007) Rocket_into_galaxy. [.gif] Retrieved from collection
http://www.clipartheaven.com/clipart/space/rocket_into_galaxy.gif
Copernicus Group IRB. (2009) Copernicus. [.jpg] Retrieved from website
http://www.copernicusgroup.com/
Flessing, Heather. Sally Ride. [.jpg] Retrieved from website
http://heatherflessing.com/WebQuests/FamousAmericans/ResourcesPagesPics/SallyRi
de.jpg
Hicks, M. (2008). Boy Daydreaming. [.jpg] Retrieved from Clip Art Gallery, School Discovery,
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/daydream.html
Image Zoo Illustrations. (2009). The Solar System. [.jpg] Retrieved from Fotosearch.com,
http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/IMZ/IMZ008/bca0018.jpg
Word Press. (2009). Solar-System. [.jpg] Retrieved from Art Library,
http://artlibrary.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/solar-system.jpg
68