Fantastic Fourth Grade: Solar System Resources

We will begin working on the Solar System next week.

Science: We will be moving into science. Our next unit of study is the solar system, and everything in it. Here are the standards we will be focusing on.

S4E1. Students will compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars, star patterns, and planets.

There are similarities and differences between stars and planets. When students complete this unit, they should understand and be able to answer the following questions:

How do stars compare in terms of color, size, and pattern?

How can students differentiate between planets and stars?

Why do stars appear to be in the same position, and planets in different positions in the solar system at different times of the year?

How do people study the solar system?

Teacher's pick!

Discovery-NASA

NASA Discovery Program- You Tube Video Clips

a. Recognize the physical attributes of stars in the night sky such as number, size, color and patterns.

Understand that galaxies are made up of stars.
Recognizes that constellations are patterns of stars.
Understand that stars come in various sizes and colors

Vocabulary

Galaxies
Constellations
Star

Constellation Flash Cards

Star Deck! (a great resource)

Constellation Flash Cards for Printing

Cool Sites

Index of other sites that can answer all your questions

Enchanted Learning

Just for FUN!

b. Compare the similarities and differences of planets to the stars in appearance, position, and number in the night sky.

Identify stars as burning spheres of gas.
Understand that a planet is a large object that moves around a star (sun).
Identify and label different constellations (Big Dipper, Orion, and Little Dipper) and their positions in the solar system.
Understand that the sun is the largest object in the solar system (star).
Compare and contrast the differences and similarities between planets and stars using appearance, position, and number in the night sky.

c. Explain why the pattern of stars in a constellation stays the same, but a planet can be seen in different locations at different times.

Describe, reenact, or explain the difference between revolution and rotation.
Analyze why stars remain constant in the night sky and why people see them at specific times of the year.
Summarize why planets can be seen in different locations in the solar system at different times.

Vocabulary

Revolution
Rotation
Axis

d. Identify how technology is used to observe distant objects in the sky.

Identify how technology is used to observe distant objects in the sky.

Vocabulary

Optical (Reflecting)Telescope
Crewed Mission
Space Probe

Images from Hubble

Inside the International Space Station

Drinking water in space!

Nasa explains Space Toilet

S4E2. Students will model the position and motion of the earth in the solar system and will explain the role of relative position and motion in determining sequence of the phases of the moon.

a. Explain the day/night cycle of the earth using a model.

http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/earthandbeyond/dayandnight.asp - Even though this website focuses on Manchester, England, it shows why we have day and night very clearly.

sun_and_moon.JPG

b. Explain the sequence of the phases of the moon.

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2503/es2503page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization - This website includes an animation that will help you to understand why we see different phases of the moon.
http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/phases-of-the-moon - This movie/interactive website will teach you about the phases of the moon in a very fun way.
http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/earthandbeyond/phases.asp - Here is another good one to learn about the different phases of the moon.

c. Demonstrate the revolution of the earth around the sun and the earth’s tilt to explain the seasonal changes.

seasons.gif

http://www.knowmag.ca/knowitalls/index.php?id=3 (Review the reason for our seasons)

d. Demonstrate the relative size and order from the sun of the planets in the solar system.

Memory Tricks:

This video has a funny song about the planets. Unfortunately for Pluto, it is no longer a planet.

My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/solar-system/game.shtml This website will help you to review the order of the planets from the sun and you can learn more about each planet at the same time.

MMVENUSJ- Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter

http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/earthandbeyond/planets.asp- Practice putting the planets in order on this interactive website. It's very fun!

OTHER FUN STUFF :)

Who Wants to be a Space Millionaire? http://www.quia.com/rr/37247.html?AP_rand=223573616

Tons of fun space and weather games to try(created by NASA):http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/games.shtml

In this online book authored by NASA, the planets compete to be named the best planet-http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/spitzer/storybooks/planet-awards.html

http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/earthandbeyond/sunmoonearth.asp - Review the way the earth and moon move on this interactive website.