Lesson 3: Planet Power

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In this lesson and worksheet, learn basic properties about planets and solve worksheet math problems related to the planet Mars.

OBJECTIVE

Students understand that the earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun.

Alignment with National Standards  

MATERIALS

Chart paper, globe (optional), yarn (optional), Worksheet #3: Mission to Mars (PDF) 

Time Required: 30 minutes

DIRECTIONS
1. Ask what students know about planets. List responses on chart paper and clarify any misinformation. If possible, show students a globe, emphasizing that the earth is one of eight planets that revolves around the sun.

2. If students are familiar with planets, have one student stand in the middle of the room to represent the sun. Ask eight volunteers to stand around the “sun.” Give the volunteers pieces of yarn, each a different length (the smallest piece should be about a yard and the biggest piece about 10 yards). Have the volunteers place their lengths of yarn on the ground around the middle student, forming circles from smallest to biggest. The yarn represents the eight surrounding planetary orbits around the middle student. For students less familiar with planets, focus on the fact that the earth is a planet and that it revolves around the sun.

3. Tell students that they are going on a pretend mission to Mars. Discuss what students know about Mars, sharing basic facts, such as: (1) Mars is known as the “Red Planet” because of the color of its surface; (2) Mars has many volcanoes; and (3) Mars has polar ice caps. If possible, share Mars images at http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov. What do students think they might find if they traveled to Mars? Invite them to write a short paragraph describing their predictions.

4. Distribute copies of Worksheet #3: Mission to Mars (PDF), which features Mars math problems. Invite students to work in groups to solve the problems, then compare answers as a class. Worksheet Answers: 1) 2 + 1 = 3; 2) 16 – 6 = 10; 3) Grand Canyon of Mars (Valles Marineris).

• For younger students: Focus on what makes the earth different from other objects we can see in the sky, such as the sun and the moon.
• For older students: Invite students to play the “Roving on Mars” game at www.nasa.gov/kidsclub.

OTHER RESOURCES
• Reading Mini-Poster (PDF)
• Family Take-Home Activity: Includes valuable tips for surfing the Web with your child, as well as a limited time offer from http://onlinefamily.norton.com
• NASA Kids Club: Includes fun games for students, including “Addition Blastoff” and “Rocket Builder.” Students can also upload a photo of their face peeking out of an astronaut suit!
• NASA Education: Click on “For Students” at NASA’s education hub to access dozens of resources, facts, and activities. Check out the “Picture Dictionary,” which allows students to get a visual introduction to many of NASA’s programs.
• NASA: Challenging the Space Frontier: On this interactive site, students are on a mission to learn about the history of space exploration. Don’t miss the slide show of animals in space!
• Astronomy Picture of the Day: Click on this site to access amazing photographs of stars, galaxies, black holes, and more.

Lesson 2: Phases of the Moon
In this lesson and worksheet, students learn about basic moon phases, and then color in sections of moon according to its pattern.

Lesson 4: Imagine You're an Astronaut
In this lesson and worksheet, students learn about astronauts and compare properties of life in space with life on earth.