Subject: Earth Science 
Topic: Solar System
Grade Level: 3rd grade
Student Lesson name and URL:

Third Grade
Science: Focus on Earth Science 

4.)   Objects in the sky move in regular and predictable patterns.  As a basis for understanding this concept, students know:

       d.)    the Earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. 

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As a result of this activity, students will be able to: 
:  

1. Make models to represent the planets in comparative size.
2. Use their models to demonstrate revolution and rotation of the planets around the sun. 
3. Give definitions  and describe "revolution", "rotation", and "orbit".
4. Illustrate the planets in the solar system
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Student Lesson Page

Introductory Activity
The students will view a short movie on the solar system on the Brain Pop  website. After viewing the movie the student will take a short quiz to check comprehension.  Student will complete the coloring activity that goes along with the movie.

Enabling Activity(ies)
Activities and Procedures:

   1.Children will blow up a yellow punch ball to its fullest and balloons of nine different colors to sizes representing the nine planets. 

   2.Take the class outside or go into the gym inside. Have nine paths marked on ground or floor with string or chalk. 

   3.Have one student hold each balloon. Another student will hold the yellow punch ball which represents the sun. 

   4.The "sun" stands in the middle of a circle. The other children take their places on the marked paths. Teacher will need to give each child the name of his/her planet and direct him/her to the correct place. 

   5.Begin the experiment by having children walk in their path or "orbit" around the sun. Stress that the planets never leave their own orbits. This travel around the sun is called "revolution". This term should now be introduced. 

   6.After the children have orbited the sun once, bring in the added concept of "rotation". While moving around the sun, the children should also start to spin around like tops. (Caution them against becoming dizzy.) This demonstrates "rotation". Tell children that it takes one year for the earth to revolve around the sun, and it takes one day for the earth to rotate on its own axis. 

   7.Point out that "rotation" or spinning on one's own axis takes much less time than going all the way around the sun, "revolution." 

   8.Give all children in the class a chance to try the experiment. 
 

Culminating Activity
Students will illustrate the planets in order and comparative sizes.  Students define and describe revolution, rotation and orbit as it pertains to the solar system.
 

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Introductory Activity
List and link the web resources for this activity here. Also link supplementary materials such as PDF files and /or document files.

Enabling Activity
Materials:
   1. one yellow punch ball 
   2. nine balloons of different colors 
   3. chalk or string to mark orbits 
   4. resource material to check orbits of the nine planets 

Culminating Activity
List and link the web resources for this activity here. Also link supplementary materials such as PDF files and /or document files.

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Olive View School
Corning, California
Veronica McFadden and e-mail address
Last Revised: 00/00/2000 (insert and update last revision date every time you work on this page)