These extensions are brought to you by other teachers who have used this unit. They have not been evaluated by The Einstein Project. (Rev. 4/30/2012)
ACTIVITIES:
When you do the Earth activity, make small copies of the research squares and all make a mini planet chart for Earth.
Create a "Space Race" – performance objectives must be met to move on to the next planet
Build a rotation-revolution model [by Jeni Ortlieb, Maple Avenue Elem]
Readers Theater – do a solar system play
Sing "Dr. Jean's Planet Song"
Make a planet mobile to hang in the room
Use pizza rounds to create planets to wear
"Solar System" - Two Can Publishing [phone #609-921-6700] book & disk, has interactive activities
During winter, substitute the culminating activity outside with the one in "The Planet in Our Solar System" – Branley on pg. 30-31 to measure the size of the solar system.
INQUIRY:
Visit a local planetarium
Order astronaut food off the internet – only about $3 per student
- order astronaut food from NASA
- eat astronaut ice cream
BOOKS:
"True Books – Planet Series" - Larry D. Brimner
"The Incredible Journey to the Planets" - Nicholas Harris
"Across the Solar System" - Rod Theodorou
"Magic Tree House Research Guide – Space" - Will Osborne & Mary Pope Osborne
"Planets in our Solar System" - Branley
"Scholastic News" - Non-fiction reader set on the Solar System
VIDEOS:
"The Planets" – Discover Science
"Lost in Space" – Magic School Bus
WEBSITES:
http://www.nasa.gov
http://www.sciencemonster.com
http://www.nasakids.com
www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/index.html - weight on Pluto
http://sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/messenger/psc/PlanetSize.html - compare planet sizes
Space School Musical: http://discovery.nasa.gov/musical/cool.cfml
