4. Around the Sun: Exploring the Solar System

Setup: Prep Time 30 min

• Print and cut Planetary Cards or Optional Large Print/Translatable Planetary Cards.

*See Materials & Preparation in the Educator Guide linked above for full info.

21st Century Skills

• Collaboration
• Critical Thinking

Science Practices

• Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Learners Will Do

• Get information about different planetary bodies in our solar system.

Learners Will Know

• Scientists study places in the solar system and compare these places with Earth.

Connecting Across Activities

• Activity 3: Water Habitability: Last time, learners explored how different living things need liquid water to survive.
• Activity 4: Exploring the Solar System: Today, learners explore the physical properties of planetary bodies in the solar system.
• Activity 5: Water in the Solar System: Next time, learners will explore the different reservoirs of water on planetary bodies in the solar system.

NASA Eyes on the Solar System app

Use the online interactive Eyes on the Solar System. As needed, use NISE’s Exploring the Solar System: Pocket Solar System or Solar System in Sound instead.

As needed, show NASA’s Dwarf Planets Overview for a fun way to support understanding of dwarf planets and why Pluto was reclassified.

To help learners understand what they will be doing during this activity, play the translatable video Sorting Instructions Instructional Read Aloud.

If it would be helpful to learners, show the translatable videos Rock, Ice, Gas Instructional Read Aloud and Water How to Science (1:39–2:16), as well as Surface, Subsurface, Atmosphere Instructional Read Aloud and Water How to Science (2:16–2:55).

Level Up! (Optional)

In the Educator Guide, you will see “Level Up!” Sections. These include great tips and activities that build and extend STEM and 21st Century skills, and create stronger connections between educators, youth, and families. They typically take a little extra time, so please plan accordingly.

• As learners play, have them make the American Sign Language sign for each category when they complete that category, as described below.:
  • Rock: Curl your two hands into fists, then knock the dominant fist over the non-dominant fist, as if you are knocking two rocks together.
  • Ice: Make your hands look like claws and have your palms face down. Pull the claws in towards your torso.
  • Gas: Put one hand horizontally above the other with fingers spread apart. Wiggle your fingers. Move your hands toward each other and then away. (5 min.)
• Play an American Sign Language Game about states of matter. (5 min.)
• Have learners play movement games using Movement Game Instructions (PDF). Allow learners to invent alternative movements or continue playing the previous games. (20 min.)
• To help learners learn more about how the planetary bodies formed and their properties, have them watch The Solar System’s Formation (3:02) and make a scale solar system.
• Ask this story prompt question: What kinds of stories do you know that include other planets or moons? (Possible responses include stories about the night sky, space travel, or the spiritual significance of different bodies.) Have learners share with a partner (note that the sharing can take forms other than speaking aloud). (20 min.)
• Tell learners, if anyone asks them what they did today, they can tell them “We learned about the different bodies in the solar system.” (5 min.)
• Give each learner a copy of the Family Questions flier to share at home. (5 min.)
• Invite a family or community member to come in as a special guest and share their knowledge about water-related topics. (45 min)
• Have learners invent more games to play using the cards. (45 min.)