Nine Planets Around the Sun

Overview:

The order of the nine planets from the Sun is an essential part of any study of the solar system. This lesson takes students on a fun journey through the solar system and the structured detail of its design. This lesson was developed for a Beginning Level ESL class in a Language Center. This lesson follows the 3rd Grade TEKS for Science and incorporates Language Arts, Technology, and ESL TEKS as well.

Materials:

10 index cards per group of 3

stickers of planets per group of 3 (if unavailable, then print small, color copies of planets from “Inspiration” with the name beneath each picture)

Discovery Works, Level 3 textbook

transparency of solar system, Discovery Works, Trans. 10

teacher made color transparency of planets without names

solar system theme paper

Key Vocabulary:

orbit Sun Pluto Earth

solar system Mars Saturn Neptune

planet Venus Jupiter

star Mercury Uranus

Software & Technology:

Inspiration 7 - best if available for all students in a lab

Microsoft Word - lab or classroom access

Internet Explorer - lab or classroom access

Lesson Plan: Nine Planets Around the Sun

Essential Question: In what order do the nine planets orbit the Sun?

Essential Understanding:

The student will demonstrate an understanding of the planets and their position in relation to the Sun by manipulating pictures, creating an “Inspiration” document, writing a mnemonic, and by producing a model of the solar system.

Objective:

The learner will identify the nine planets.

The learner will identify the position of each planet in relation to the Sun.

TEKS Science 3.11C

Engage:

Show students a model of the solar system. Allow students to share what they already know about the solar system. Pre-assess students’ knowledge of the planet names and order.

Explore:

Divide students into small groups. Give each group 10 index cards and a set of planet stickers with the Sun. Students place one sticker on each card. Ask students to try putting the cards in order.

Using the solar system model as your guide, demonstrate the pronunciation of each planet name. Students repeat planet names and locate the index card containing that planet from their set. Students then read the name as printed on each sticker.

Using Transparency 10 “The Solar System”, show students the orbit of each planet around the Sun. Trace each orbit with your finger as students echo the name of each planet.

Each group places their planet cards in the correct order from the sun. Allow students to use Transparency 10 as a guide. Discovery Works text page B47 can be used as a guide for students that have difficulty seeing or attending to the transparency.

TEKS Science 3.11C

Reading 3.12E

Language Arts 3.1 G,H

Explain:

Text page B46-47. Students read about the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Use the solar system model, transparency, and text to explain/model the key vocabulary: revolve, rotate, orbit, constellation, planet, and solar system.

How long does it take for the Earth to revolve around the Sun one time?

How long does it take for the Earth to rotate one time?

How many times have YOU revolved around the Sun?

What is the difference between a planet and a star?

Can you recognize any constellations in the night sky?

How can you remember the planets in order from the Sun?

What objects make up our solar system?

On solar system theme paper students will record what they have learned about the solar system and any questions they would like to explore. Place new vocabulary on the board to encourage students inclusion of vocabulary in report.

TEKS Science 3.11C

Reading 3.7, 3.8B, 3.12I

Writing 3.14A,3.20AB

Language Arts 3.3C,F

Elaborate:

In the computer lab, students will use “Inspiration” to create a model of the solar system. Select “Science” then “Planets” from the symbol library. Each student will follow the teacher’s handout, “Nine Planets in a Row”, as a guide for ordering the planet photos. Each planet should be labeled with its placement from the Sun and name. Students will save and print their final product.

TEKS Science 3.11C

Technology 1B, 7A

In the classroom, introduce the concept of a mnemonic as an aid for remembering important information. Demonstrate for students how a mnemonic can help remember the planets in order. For example: My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas. Allow students to work in pairs or individually to create their own mnemonic for remembering the planets. If time allows, students can type their mnemonics vertically as a Word document and illustrate with clip art. Students will share their mnemonics with the class. Create a hallway display of students’ work to teach others new ways to remember the planets in order.

TEKS Science 3.11C

Writing 3.14

Technology 10A

Evaluate:

Prepare a color transparency of the planets in order from the Sun without the names of the planets. Below each planet place only the positional number (1st, 2nd, etc.). As a final assessment, display transparency. Students will record on their copy the names of the planets in order.

Grading Rubric:

10 Label the Sun

8 Per planet labeled correctly

2 Per planet spelled correctly

TEKS Science 3.11C

Enrichment:

Students can create a model of the solar system with objects they find at home. Encourage students to think creatively. As a class, develop a list of possible items they may use to represent each planet. Rocks, beans, play-doh, fruits, etc. The goal is to help students visualize some of their choices and to think creatively. Students should report to the teacher within two days as to what material they will be using to represent the planets. The final project will be due in one week.

TEKS Science 3.11C, 3.3C

Art 3.2

Long term planning:

Our study of the solar system will continue with a study of the Sun and its characteristics.

Related Web sites for further study

The Nine Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System

seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.html

NASA Planetary Data System: Welcome to the Planets

pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome.htm

Amanda’s Mnemonics Page - more mnemonics for every subject

www.frii.com/~geomanda/mnemonics.html

National Air and Space Museum’s “Exploring the Planets”

www.nasm.si.edu/ceps/etp/etp.htm

The Planets Suite: A musical portrayal of 7 planets by Gustav Holst

www.aquarianage.org/lore/holst.html

Why didn’t Holst do 9 planets to music?

These web sites can be added to the class “Favorites” list on the classroom computer during the unit. Also, have the addresses available in the computer lab so students can study further as they finish their work.

Name ___________________

Nine Planets in a Row

Use these descriptions to help you order the planets from the sun using the photos available on “Inspiration”. Below each planet you will have the name and position. EX:

1st

Mercury

Put the sun on the left side of page.

1st planet: mostly black with a sliver of gray and blue

2nd planet: looks hot with red, yellow, and orange

3rd planet: looks like home with blue water, white clouds, and brown land

4th planet: peach and blue

5th planet: stripes of orange and white

6th planet: gray and yellow with a big ring around the planet

7th planet: mostly white with a sliver of gray

8th planet: a cool blue

9th planet: a mix of gray and white

*EXTRA: Where does the moon belong?