LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Tour of the solar system

Students, in groups, will research, design, and create a PowerPoint presentation on the planets. The class will then take a “tour of the solar system.”

A lesson plan for grade 6 Science

By Jennifer Mott

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Related pages

  • Morehead Planetarium and Science Center: Located on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is a fascinating place to visit to learn more about astronomy.
  • Planets' relative gravity spreadsheet: The students use online resources to find information about the eight planets in our solar system. Then, using the relative gravity of each planet, they will create a spreadsheet to calculate what the weight of an average man and woman (possibly their own weight or the weight of other objects) would be on each of the planets.
  • ECSU Planetarium: The planetarium offers a variety of educational programs for students with star shows, laser shows, and a wide range of videos and laser disc presentations.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • Identify size, composition, relative distance from the sun and ability to support life of the eight planets.
  • Research and create a PowerPoint presentation on the planets.
  • Present information about their planet to the class.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 week

Materials/resources

  • science textbook
  • information on the planets—see websites in sidebar

Technology resources

  • computer lab
  • PowerPoint software
  • internet connection

Pre-activities

Students need to be exposed to the characteristics of the universe: size, composition, distance from sun, etc. Students don’t need to memorize these facts, just be aware of them.

Activities

  1. Divide students into eight groups. Assign each group a number—this will help to determine which group gets to choose their planet first.
  2. Students will then be allowed to choose which planet they would like to research. Since each planet must be chosen, groups must each choose a different planet. (This is not usually a problem, as most students want to do something different.) Draw numbers to determine which group gets to choose first.
  3. Students need to find information on history, size, surface characteristics, composition, and ability to support life.
  4. Give students time in class to research their planet.
  5. When students have finished gathering information, they should be given time in the computer lab to create their PowerPoint presentation.
  6. Students will then be given class time to show their presentation to the class. Listening students will be given a worksheet of questions about their tour through the solar system.

Assessment

Use the rubric for the PowerPoint presentation.

Answers to questions from the tour of the solar system.

Supplemental information

Attachments:

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 6

  • Goal 5: The learner will build understanding of the Solar System.
    • Objective 5.02: Compare and contrast the Earth to other planets in terms of:
      • Size.
      • Composition.
      • Relative distance from the sun.
      • Ability to support life.

  • North Carolina Essential Standards

    • Science (2010)

      • Grade 6

        • 6.E.1 Understand the earth/moon/sun system, and the properties, structures, and predictable motions of celestial bodies in the Universe. 6.E.1.1 Explain how the relative motion and relative position of the sun, Earth and moon affect the seasons, tides, phases...