| Solar system lesson plans help people learn about | | | | knowledge of space and the vast emptiness |
| the planets and their features in a systematic | | | | between the planets. These lessons also cover |
| way. The goals of a well drawn-out solar system | | | | ways of determining the size of a star. Topics for |
| lesson plan include the development of thinking, | | | | middle school level lesson plans include exploring |
| reasoning and collaborative skills. | | | | the planets, charting the planets, solar system and |
| Topics included in a common solar system lesson | | | | the universe generally. The total time required for |
| are the basics of the solar system, relative | | | | this is 4 classes with approximately 60 minutes |
| distances of planets within the solar system, | | | | each. The normal preparation time for the teacher |
| exploring the planets, and solar system | | | | is 2 hours. |
| adventures. The total time required is 3 classes | | | | High school level lesson plans' objective is to make |
| with approximately 60 minutes each. The total | | | | students observe and explain the apparent |
| preparation time for the teacher is about 1 hour. | | | | movement of the sun and the moon, relating the |
| The first period introduces the solar system which | | | | location of the sun to the time of day and naming |
| is followed by a group discussion. The second | | | | and describing the seasons. Before going to the |
| period covers relative distances of planets in the | | | | lessons, the student should understand the |
| solar system and the observation of solar images. | | | | concepts of basic physics and math including the |
| Chart preparation of planets is part of the | | | | concepts of ratio, angular velocity, and |
| homework. The third period includes discussion | | | | measurement of an arc in a circle. The topics |
| and review of planet features from homework, | | | | covered for high school level students are |
| the summarizing of the concepts and facts for | | | | planetary rotation, angular velocity, period of |
| gas giant planets. | | | | rotation, orbital motion, and angles and angular |
| The objective of a middle school level solar | | | | measurement. The time required for completing |
| system lesson plan is to give a thorough | | | | the full unit is several days to two weeks. |