Contrasting the Major and Minor Planets
Lisa Salmonson
Introduction
Standards 
Objectives
Activities
Assessment 
Results
Resources

 
 
 

 
Introduction
IThis lesson is to encourage and guide students to explore the solar system and collect and analyse data to discover the similaries between the major and minor planets.
Subject:  Astronomy
Topic:  Solar System
Grade Level: 9
Student Lesson name and URL:
Standards Addressed
Elk Grove Unifiend School District Standards and Benchmarks.(State standards are not available.) 
Ninth Grade
Science: Physicay/Earth Science
Astronomy and the Universe
Curriculum Standard 7 - The student will demonstrate an understanding of astronomy and the formation of the universe.
Critical Attribute - Can the student describe the structure, scale, and changes in the solar system?
Instructional Objectives
  • The learner will list the major planets and describe five characteristics they share.
  • The learner will list the minor planets and describe five characteristics they share.
  • The learner will discuss the controversies about classifying Pluto.
    •  Student Activities

    Introductory Activity

    • Access the site Solar system tour and have your students take a trip to the planets of our solar system.
      • Requires - internet-connected computer, at least one for every four students.
        • Alternative - Access on your computer and use a projector to show the tour on a screen for all the students.
      • Time - one or two class periods.
      • Activity - fill out the worksheet for this site. (put link to worksheet page here)
    Enabling Activity(ies)
    • Have students access the Excel file labled 'solar system spreadsheet' from the public server.
      • Alternative - have the spreadsheet printed. Students can fill it in and do the math by hand.
    • Students are to access any of the following sites to find the needed data.
     Culminating Activity
    • From the information gathered, students will decide if Pluto is a planet or a moon. They will then write a persuasive essay to support their point of view. 
      • Alternative - hold a panel debate, with students filling various roles (astronomer, reporter, ...)
    • Access the rubric for the essay here. (insert link to rubric for essay)
     Assessment
    • Pretest - for information about the planets and their classification.(insert link)
    • Postest  - for information about the planets and their classification.(insert link)
    Results
    After implementing your lesson (sometime between January & March), insert a chart of your pre-test, post-test, and culminating assessment data.
    insert back to the top
    anchored link
    (text or image)
    Web Resources & Supplementary Materials

    Introductory Activity 
    Listed below are sites that have information on the planets.
    Solar system tour
    Solar system images
     

    Enabling Activity
    Contact NASA
    A good source for current information.

    Welcome to the Planets
    This site gives accurate data about each planet.
     
     

    Culminating Activity
     
     
     


     
     

    Florin High School, EGUSD
    Sacramento, California
    Lisa Salmonson,lsalmons@edcenter.egusd.k12.ca.us
    Last Revised: 08/1/2000