Solar System

Introduction:

A solar system consists of a star and all the objects orbiting it as well as all the material in that system. Our solar system is a collection of eight planets and their moons in orbit around the sun, together with smaller bodies in the form of dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.

Icebreaker: My Place in Space

·          House → Street → City → State → Country → Planet → Solar System → Galaxy → Universe

Read Aloud: There’s No Place Like Space! by Tish Rabe

Presentation Outline:

·         The Solar System

o   The Sun

o   Planets

§  Mercury

§  Venus

§  Earth

§  Mars

§  Jupiter

§  Saturn

§  Uranus

§  Neptune

·         Dwarf Planets

·         Asteroids

·         Meteoroids

·         Comets

Activity: Solar System

·         The purpose of this activity is to use role playing to demonstrate the concept of the solar system.

o   Have the kids blow up nine balloons to represent the sun and planets. Each balloon should be a different color and size to differentiate between the planets and depict their individual characteristics.

o   Take the kids outside where eight paths have been drawn on the ground with chalk. Designate one kid to hold the yellow balloon and represent the sun. Give the rest of the kids each a balloon to hold to represent a planet. Have the “sun” stand in the middle of the circle. Then have the  “planets” each take their places on the outlined paths. Have the kids walk or “orbit” their path around the sun. Explain that this type of travel around the sun is called “revolution.” Then have the kids start to spin around while orbiting the sun. Explain that this type of travel is called “rotation.”

o   Tell the kids 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.

Quiz: Planet Predictions

1. This planet is the largest our solar system. (Jupiter)

2. This planet can sustain life. (Earth)

3. This planet is closest to the sun. (Mercury)

4. This planet is the brightest in our solar system. (Venus)

5. This star is the center of our solar system. (Sun)

6. This planet is known for its rings. (Saturn)

7. This planet has an area called the Great Dark Spot. (Neptune)

8. This planet is also identified as the Red Planet. (Mars)

9. This planet rotates on its side. (Uranus)

Craft: Solar System Mobiles

Have kids replicate the structure and comparative size of the solar system using bouncy balls as planets.