Summer Hunt
Lesson Set 1
Solar System
Grade 2
Benchmark:
Compare and contrast characteristics of the Sun, Moon and Earth (SCI. V. 4. E.1).
Benchmark Clarification:
Within our solar system, the Sun,
Moon, and Earth have similarities and differences. These similarities and differences can be
observed and measured. Similarities and
differences include size, shape, location, and capable of producing own light.
Lesson Objectives:
Students will describe the sun, moon and earth.
Students will compare and contrast the sun, moon and earth.
Motivator:
Teacher will pose the question how are the Sun, the Moon and the Earth alike and different?
Teacher will read Magic School Bus Lost in Space.
Teacher will ask for volunteers to name one interesting fact or idea from the story.
Key Concepts:
Planet: The big bodies that orbit the sun. Planets reflect the light of the star they revolve around.
Star: A giant ball of gas that gives off heat and light.
Space: The region beyond the earth’s atmosphere.
Solar System: The Sun and all of the planets and comets that revolve around it.
Heat: energy that causes a rise in temperature.
Light: illumination from the sun
Larger/smaller
Closer/farther
Materials:
worksheet
book, The Magic School Bus Lost in Space by Joanna Cole
computer and Internet directions
books and encyclopedias
Teaching Strategies:
Discussion
Worksheet
Research
Content:
Sun
The largest object in our solar system. It is actually a star which gives the earth its heat and light. It is about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 km) from the earth. It is about 4.5 billion years old. It is about 863,700 miles (1,390,000 km) in diameter. It is the center of our solar system and all nine planets revolve around this star.
Planet
An object which revolves around a star. Our solar system has nine planets. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Each planet has their own unique characteristics.
Earth
The planet which we live on. It is estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old. It is located in our solar system and is the third planet away from the sun. It’s diameter is about 7926 miles(12,760 km). It gets its heat and light from the sun. It is the only planet to have liquid water on its surface.
Moon
The moon is a satellite that revolves around the Earth. It is also estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old. It is about 238,900 miles from the earth. It is 2,160 miles (3476 km) in diameter.
Solar System
The Sun and all of the planets or comets that revolve around it. Our solar system consists of the sun, nine planets and their moons.
Star
A giant ball of gas that gives off heat and light. The sun is a star.
larger/smaller
Compare the sizes of the Sun, Earth and Moon.
closer/farther
Compare the distances from the Sun, Earth and Moon.
Web Site:
www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/astronomy.html
Instructions on attached handout.
Real World Context:
Observations of the earth, moon and sun through various websites. Students can also observe the moon both during the day and at night.
Images at:
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/picturelist.html
Click on Sun, Earth or Moon to view images. These could also be printed off for quicker viewing.
Assessment:
Assessment will be based upon the completed worksheet.
Bibliography:
Astronomy for Kids
www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/astronomy.html
Cole, Joanna. Magic School Bus-Lost in the Solar System.Scholastic, 1990.
Kids Astronomy
www.kidsastronomy.com
Nicholson, Cynthia. Earth. Starting With Space Series. Kids Can Press, 1997.
Star Child
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu
Name___________________________________ Date________________
The Sun, the Earth, and the Moon
List characteristics of each.
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The Sun |
The Earth |
The Moon |
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Age |
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Location |
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Size |
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Planet or star? |
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Heat source? |
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Light source? |
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Reflection
Write 3-4 sentences about something you learned or something you
found interesting.
Directions for Internet Search on the Sun,
the Earth and the Moon.
Go to
www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/astronomy.html
____ Click once on the words SOLAR SYSTEM
Read the information about the solar system.
____ Click once on the back arrow in the
upper left of your screen.
____ Click once on the word SUN
Read the information about th sun and use this data to fill
in the worksheet.
____ Click once on the back arrow in the
upper left of your screen.
____ Click once on the word PLANETS
____ Click once on the word EARTH
Read the information about the Earth and fill
in the worksheet.
____ Click the back arrow twice.
____ Click once on the word MOON
Read the information and fill in the
worksheet.
____ Click once on the back arrow.
Use other available books and encyclopedias to finish the chart.