Lesson Plan (Grades 3-5): Discovering the Solar System with Space Explorers

Lesson Title: Space Explorers: A Journey Through the Solar System

Grade Level: Grades 3-5

Subject Area: Science

Overview: In this lesson, students will embark on a virtual journey through the solar system, exploring the characteristics of planets, moons, comets and other celestial bodies. They will create travel brochures for each planet, detailing their unique features and facts, and present their findings to the class.

Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives:

   1. Students will learn about the characteristics and features of planets and moons in our solar system.

   2. Students will research and gather information about a specific celestial body.

   3. Students will create an informative travel brochure that highlights key facts about their chosen celestial body.

   4. Students will effectively present their travel brochures to their peers.

Standards Alignment:

• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
  • 3-ESS2-1: Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.
  • 5-ESS1-1: Support an argument that the apparent brightness of the sun and stars is due to their relative distances from Earth.
  • 5-ESS1-2: Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky.
• Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.