Teach solar system objects in a different way. Instead of the standard planets research project, try something new! In this set of activities, kids learn about the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, meteoroids, and comets. Then they compare, contrast, and graph them. It gives them a much more complete view of nearby objects in space.
Posts on this website follow a teaching journey and are written in story form.
Ms. Sneed Prepares to Teach Solar System Objects
Our favorite fourth grade teacher pulled a ragged folder from her file cabinet. “Why do I even have paper files anymore?” she asked her teammate, Mr. Frank.
“Why do we keep doing the same space science activities over and over?” he asked in reply.
“You’re right. This planet research project has to go. For one thing, it’s outdated. Look! Pluto! For another thing, it’s boring.”
“Alright. What will we do instead?”
Ms. Sneed tapped her pencil and gazed into space. “Well,” she said, “I’d really like them to distinguish between objects in the solar system. You know, asteroids, meteoroids, all that cool stuff.”
Mr. Frank opened his laptop and started tapping away. “How about this solar system resource?” he asked. “Kids learn from simple information cards. Then they compare and graph it.”
Objects in Our Solar System
“In the first activity,” Mr. Frank said, “kids study these cards. Each one tells a little about an object in the solar system: the Sun, planets, asteroids, moons, comets, and meteorites.”
Planets
He scrolled down. “Additionally, they work with planet cards.”
Comparing Objects in the Solar System
Again, he scrolled down. “But the value is in comparison.
“Kids – or groups of kids – can use this Venn diagram to compare and contrast any two objects in our solar system. Then this worksheet helps them zero in on the distinctions between the inner and outer planets.”
“I like this activity,” said Ms. Sneed. “Instead of just reporting on a planet, they discover important similarities in objects that revolve around the Sun.”
Graphing Planets in Our Solar System
“Finally,” said Mr. Frank, “kids create two bar graphs. One asks them to graph diameters of planets in our solar system. The other asks them to graph distances from the Sun.”
“Wow.” Ms. Sneed smiled. “They’ll get practice for their graphing skills. But more importantly, these integrated math and science activities will drive home the great differences in size and distance of the inner and outer planets.”
“I’m in,” said Mr. Frank. “What do you think about trying these activities instead of our planet research paper this year?”
“Let’s do it. Then the next time we meet, we can discuss how to change up our teaching of Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Additionally, we’ll make some plans for building and analyzing models of the solar system.”
Enjoy Teaching
Shaking things up helps me enjoy teaching. Instead of using the same activities every year, why not try something new? Remember, there’s more than just planets in our solar system.
