Topic

Participant
Profile

Time Frame
Equipment

Standard

The Solar System

Time
This unit focuses on a study of stars in the universe and of our solar
system. 4th grade Science Class. Approximately 24-30 students per
class, equal parts male/female, mixed ethnic groups including
Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, and African-American. Ages 9-10.
Inclusion Class Setting.
Each Class session will be approximately 45-50 minutes
Each Student should have access to an internet connection for
individual exploration, or assign groups with an access point for each
group. Least desirable would be whole group with a smart board or
other connection.
Each student should have notebook, pencil
Science Georgia Standards of Excellence
Earth and Space Science
S4E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare
and contrast the physical attributes of stars and planets.
Elements
Recognize the physical attributes of stars in the night sky such as
number, size, color, and patterns.
b. Compare the similarities and differences of planets to the
stars in appearance, position, and number in the night sky.
c. Explain why the pattern of stars in a constellation stays the
same, but a planet can be seen in different locations at different
times.
d. Identify how technology is used to observe distant objects
in the sky.
S4E2: Students will model the position and motion of the earth in
the solar system and will explain the role of relative position and
motion in determining sequence of the phases of the moon.
Elements:
Explain the day/night cycle of the earth using a model.
b. Explain the sequence of the phases of the moon.
c. Demonstrate the revolution of the earth around the sun and
the earths tilt to explain the seasonal changes.
d. Demonstrate the relative size and order from the sun of the
planets in the solar system.

Vocabulary

Tier 1 Terms
stars
order
inference
Tier 2 terms

moon
predict
relative

size
observation

6weeks

Essential
Questions

Activator
Teach

rotation
planets
constellation
universe
revolution
orbit
axis
phases
galaxy
satellite
telescope
What is a star?
How are stars alike and different from each other?
How does the sun compare to other stars in the night sky?
How are constellations alike and different?
Why are some constellations observed during some seasons,
but not during other seasons?
How are planets and stars alike and different in relation to
appearance, position, and number in the night sky/
Why are planets seen in different locations in the night sky
throughout the year?
How can technology be used to observe distant objects in the
sky?
Why are different phases of the moon observed throughout
the month?
What is the sequence of those phases?
What are the relative sizes of the planets in our solar system?
What is the relative order of the planets from the sun in our solar
system?
In order to activate schema and grasp the learners attention a
YouTube video will be displayed.
Planets
Students will visit the Popplet website and Click on individual
planets to learn 10 things to know about the sun and planets.
Notes should be taken on worksheets.
Moon Phases
The teacher will use the explicit lesson plan to facilitate the lesson in
order to gradually release students to independent practice. The
explicit lesson plan will allow the instructor to model the lesson
before involving students in on going participation and discussion.

Differentiation
Extend

Each section of the lesson is equipped with engaging, standard

aligned games to reinforce skills.
Benchmark students will be encouraged to find additional research
topics for a report or presentation:
1. Investigate volcanism on two or more planets
2. Investigate the origin and meanings of the name of the

The
teacher
will
pose the
essential
question
during
the first
five
minutes
of class
daily

5 min
30 min

planets
Strategic students will be encouraged
1. Summarize current knowledge about one of the planets
2. Compare our Moon to another planets moon (satellite)
Intensive students will be pulled for a teacher led group to
reinforced and address misconceptions about the previously taught
skill.

Summarize

For ticket out the door have students name either an inner planet
that is terrestrial, or an outer planet that is gaseous.
Moon phases exit ticket (formative assessment)
Students will predict the phase of the moon for the following night.

5 min