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the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
This learning module for Grades 5-8 contains four lessons that explore the scale, relative sizes, and composition of the planets in our solar system. Each lesson provides opportunity for students to build physical models and investigate within a context that is easily understood. Lesson 1 models the orbital distances between the planets; Lesson 2 compares the relative sizes of the planets to those of fruits and vegetables; Lesson 3 models planetary interiors/cores; and Lesson 4 examines characteristics of planet surfaces that make them able to support or not support life.
This resource is part of NASA's Solar System Exploration website. Editor's Note: Caveat: when this resource was created, Pluto was still considered a planet. Though an update would be nice, it doesn't detract from the overall excellence of the lessons, which will appeal to kinesthetic learners.
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)4. The Physical Setting
4A. The Universe
4B. The Earth
4F. Motion
4G. Forces of Nature
11. Common Themes
11B. Models
11D. Scale
12. Habits of Mind
12B. Computation and Estimation
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics AlignmentsStandards for Mathematical Practice (K-12)
MP.4 Model with mathematics.
Ratios and Proportional Relationships (6-7)
Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve
problems. (6)
Expressions and Equations (6-8)
Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities. (6)
Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and
algebraic expressions and equations. (7)
This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.
Topic: Astronomy
Unit Title: Astronomy Resources for the K-8 Classroom Wonderful set of four lessons that explore scale, relative sizes, and composition or the planets in our solar system. Kids will work with physical models to understand size and orbital distance in a fun, memorable way. Can be adapted for 5th graders, yet also includes extension mathematics for Grades 7-8, such as calculating planet density. We recommend teaming these hands-on activities with the PhET Solar System Simulator (see Activities below). Links to Units:
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!
Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=12446">National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Modeling the Solar System. Washington: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2003.</a>
AIP Format
(National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, 2003), WWW Document, (http://web.archive.org/web/20170829052908/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/modelingsolarsystem_20070112.pdf).
AJP/PRST-PER
Modeling the Solar System (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, 2003), <http://web.archive.org/web/20170829052908/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/modelingsolarsystem_20070112.pdf>.
APA Format
Modeling the Solar System. (2003). Retrieved October 12, 2024, from National Aeronautics and Space Administration: http://web.archive.org/web/20170829052908/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/modelingsolarsystem_20070112.pdf
Chicago Format
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Modeling the Solar System. Washington: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2003. http://web.archive.org/web/20170829052908/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/modelingsolarsystem_20070112.pdf (accessed 12 October 2024).
MLA Format
Modeling the Solar System. Washington: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2003. 12 Oct. 2024 <http://web.archive.org/web/20170829052908/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/modelingsolarsystem_20070112.pdf>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Title = {Modeling the Solar System},
Publisher = {National Aeronautics and Space Administration},
Volume = {2024},
Number = {12 October 2024},
Year = {2003}
}
Refer Export Format
%T Modeling the Solar System %D 2003 %I National Aeronautics and Space Administration %C Washington %U http://web.archive.org/web/20170829052908/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/modelingsolarsystem_20070112.pdf %O text/html
EndNote Export Format
%0 Electronic Source %D 2003 %T Modeling the Solar System %I National Aeronautics and Space Administration %V 2024 %N 12 October 2024 %9 text/html %U http://web.archive.org/web/20170829052908/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/modelingsolarsystem_20070112.pdf Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in a shared folder. You must login to access shared folders. |
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