THE SOLAR SYSTEM

5TH GRADE SCIENCE

Candice Frazier

TEKS §112.7. Science, Grade 5 (4)Science is a way of learning about the natural world.

Students should know how science has built a vast body of changing and increasing knowledge described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models.

(8)  Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among the Sun, Earth, and Moon system. The student is expected to:

(A)  differentiate between weather and climate; (B)  explain how the Sun and the ocean interact in the

water cycle; (C)  demonstrate that Earth rotates on its axis once

approximately every 24 hours causing the day/night cycle and the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky; and

(D)  identify and compare the physical characteristics of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

5TH GRADERS I will be teaching 5th graders about the

solar system. Going into this, I know that the solar system is a challenging topic so I will do my best to make it fun

I will use different methods to teach them about the solar system: Activities, Computer learning games, and lectures.

WHAT IS THE SOLAR SYSTEM? The four planets

closest to the sun—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—are called the terrestrial planets because they have solid rocky surfaces. The four large planets beyond the orbit of Mars—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are called gas giants.

MERCURY The planet Mercury is the closest of the planets to

the Sun. Because this planet lies so close to the Sun, and as a result somewhat near to the Earth, it is visible to observers on Earth in the night time sky. Because of this, Mercury has become apart of the mythology and legend of almost every culture throughout the history of the Earth.

This planet is often called a morning star. This is because Mercury shines brightly in the early morning, just before the sun rises. It has also been called an evening star for the same reason. Mercury often is visible for a brief period of time just after the Sun sets.

VENUS The planet Venus has long been one of the

most misunderstood of all the inner planets. Like the Earth, Venus has an atmosphere. However, this atmosphere is far thicker than that of the Earth, making it difficult for modern science to penetrate.

Because we cannot see the surface of the planet Venus visually, there is much we still do not know about how this planet looks, and what it is like. However, using special instruments and probes scientists have in recent years unlocked many of the secrets long hidden by this mysterious world.

MARS Mars excites scientists because its mild

temperament is more like the Earth's than any of the other planets.   Evidence suggests that Mars once had rivers, streams, lakes, and even an ocean.  As Mars' atmosphere slowly depleted into outer space the surface water began to permanently evaporate.   Today the only water on Mars is either frozen in the polar caps, or underground.

MORE PLANET INFO Continue with the rest of the planets

and information about them.

MAKE A SOLAR SYSTEM ACTIVITY Have students go to the website:

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/fun/orbitsV3.swf

They will be able to build their own Solar System there.

SEARCH THE WEB, LEARN THE SOLAR SYSTEM… Have Students go to the website:

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm

There, they will be able to click on the different planets and it will bring up an endless source of information about the different planets, along with the solar system itself.

Games included on the website

SOLAR SYSTEM MODEL Supplies needed: A

round piece of cardboard about 1 ft across (the cardboard from a frozen pizza works well)

Lots of colors of oak tag (or construction paper)

Scissors Tape String Pencil, crayons, or

markers A compass (for making

circles)

EVALUATION Have them write a paper about the

Solar System. They can pick one planet to specifically write about.

List the planets in order. Have a class discussion on what they

learned overall about the Solar System. Go over the Solar System Model they

made and the different websites that taught them about the Solar System and discuss what they gained from all the activities.

REFERENCES http://science.nationalgeographic.com/s

cience/space/solar-system http://www.kidsastronomy.com/fun/orbit

sV3.swf http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_sys

tem.htm http://www.enchantedlearning.com/craft

s/astronomy/solarsystemmodel/