The Solar System Natural Bodies In The Sky
Subject: Basic Science
Class: Basic 6 / Primary 6 / Year 6
Term: Second Term
Week: Week 5
Topic :
The Solar System
Previous Knowledge: The pupils have previous knowledge of
that was taught in their previous lesson.
Behavioural Objectives : At the end of the lesson, learners will be able to
- Understand the composition and relative sizes of the objects in the solar system, including the sun, planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
- Describe the orbits and movements of the objects in the solar system, including the rotation and revolution of planets and the elliptical nature of their orbits.
- Explain the effects of gravity on the objects in the solar system, including the formation and stability of the solar system and the creation of tides on Earth.
- Understand the unique features and characteristics of the different planets and their moons, including their atmospheres, surfaces, and potential for supporting life.
- Describe the history and future of exploration of the solar system, including past, present, and planned spacecraft missions and their scientific discoveries.
Instructional Materials
- Wall charts
- Pictures
- Online Resource
- Textbooks
Methods of Teaching
- Role modelling
- Questions and Answers
- Explanation
- Discussion
- Recitation
- Imitation
- Story Telling
- Dramatization
Content:
The solar system is the collection of celestial objects that orbit around the sun, including the sun itself and the planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets that orbit around it. The solar system is thought to have formed about 4.6 billion years ago, and it is composed of the sun, which is a medium-sized star located at the center of the solar system, and the objects that orbit around it. The solar system is made up of the four terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) and the four giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), as well as numerous smaller objects, including dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. The solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy, which is a large collection of stars, planets, and other celestial objects that are held together by gravity.
- Which of the following is NOT a learning objective for the topic The Solar System? a) Understand the composition and relative sizes of the objects in the solar system b) Describe the cultural significance of the solar system in ancient civilizations c) Describe the orbits and movements of the objects in the solar system d) Explain the effects of gravity on the objects in the solar system
- Which of the following objects is NOT part of the solar system? a) The sun b) The planets c) The dwarf planets d) The Andromeda galaxy
- Which of the following statements about the orbits of objects in the solar system is NOT true? a) The orbits of the planets are elliptical in shape b) The rotation of a planet is its movement around its own axis c) The revolution of a planet is its movement around the sun d) The orbits of the planets are circular in shape
- Which of the following objects is NOT considered a terrestrial planet? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Neptune
- Which of the following objects is NOT considered a giant planet? a) Jupiter b) Saturn c) Uranus d) Earth
- Which of the following is NOT a unique characteristic of a planet or moon in the solar system? a) The presence of an atmosphere b) The presence of life c) The presence of water d) The presence of mountains
- Which of the following is NOT a past, present, or planned spacecraft mission to explore the solar system? a) Apollo 11 b) Voyager 1 c) Mars 2020 d) The Large Hadron Collider
- Which of the following is NOT an effect of solar activity on the solar system? a) Solar flares b) The solar wind c) Increased temperatures on Earth d) Changes in the Earth’s magnetic field
Natural bodies in the sky
- Stars: Stars are celestial bodies that produce their own light and heat through nuclear reactions that take place in their cores. They are made up of hot, glowing gases and are held together by their own gravity. The sun is a star, and there are billions of other stars in the universe.
- Planets: Planets are celestial bodies that orbit around a star, such as the sun. They are made up of solid or gaseous materials, and they have their own gravity. There are eight planets in the solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
- Dwarf planets: Dwarf planets are celestial bodies that orbit around a star and are similar in size to planets, but they do not meet the criteria to be classified as full-fledged planets. Examples of dwarf planets include Pluto and Ceres.
- Moons: Moons are celestial bodies that orbit around planets. Some planets have no moons, while others have several. Earth’s moon is the fifth-largest moon in the solar system.
- Comets: Comets are celestial bodies made up of ice, dust, and rocks that orbit around the sun. They have long, elliptical orbits and are often visible from Earth as bright, fuzzy objects in the sky.
- Asteroids: Asteroids are celestial bodies made up of rock or metal that orbit around the sun. They are much smaller than planets and are often found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
- Meteoroids: Meteoroids are small celestial bodies that orbit around the sun. They can be made up of rock, metal, or dust, and they range in size from a few centimeters to a few meters. When a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere and becomes visible, it is called a meteor. If it reaches the surface of the Earth, it is called a meteorite.
- Galaxies: Galaxies are large collections of stars, planets, and other celestial objects that are held together by gravity. The Milky Way is the galaxy that Earth is a part of. There are billions of other galaxies in the universe.
- Which of the following is NOT a natural body in the sky? a) Stars b) Planets c) Airplanes d) Comets
- Which of the following objects is NOT considered a planet? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Comet
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a star? a) They produce their own light and heat through nuclear reactions in their cores b) They are made up of cold, solid materials c) They are held together by their own gravity d) They are the largest objects in the universe
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a planet? a) They orbit around a star b) They are made up of solid or gaseous materials c) They have their own gravity d) They are the smallest objects in the universe
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a dwarf planet? a) They orbit around a star b) They are similar in size to planets c) They are made up of solid or gaseous materials d) They do not meet the criteria to be classified as full-fledged
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a moon? a) They orbit around planets b) They are made up of hot, glowing gases c) They have their own gravity d) They are the largest objects in the universe
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a comet? a) They orbit around the sun b) They are made up of ice, dust, and rocks c) They have long, elliptical orbits d) They are often visible from Earth as bright, fuzzy objects in the sky
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an asteroid? a) They orbit around the sun b) They are made up of rock or metal c) They are found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter d) They are the largest objects in the universe
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a meteoroid? a) They orbit around the sun b) They can be made up of rock, metal, or dust c) They range in size from a few centimeters to a few meters d) They are the largest objects in the universe
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a galaxy? a) They are large collections of stars, planets, and other celestial objects b) They are held together by gravity c) The Milky Way is the only galaxy in the universe d) There are billions of other galaxies in the universe
Gravity and weightlessness
- Gravity: Gravity is the force that attracts objects with mass towards each other. The strength of gravity depends on the mass of the objects and the distance between them. On Earth, gravity is what keeps us from floating off into space and what allows us to walk on the ground.
- Weightlessness: Weightlessness is the state of being without weight or without being subject to the force of gravity. It is often experienced by objects in space, such as astronauts in a spacecraft or satellites orbiting around the Earth. Weightlessness can also be simulated on Earth in certain conditions, such as in an airplane during a parabolic flight or in a special facility called a zero-gravity chamber.
- Free fall: Free fall is the state of falling towards the ground under the influence of gravity, without being resisted by any other force. It is often experienced by objects dropped from a height or by objects falling towards the Earth from space. In a state of free fall, an object will experience weightlessness.
- Gravitational acceleration: Gravitational acceleration is the rate at which an object falls towards the Earth under the influence of gravity. It is equal to the acceleration due to gravity, which is 9.8 m/s^2 on Earth. The gravitational acceleration of an object depends on the mass of the object and the mass of the body it is falling towards.
- Orbital velocity: Orbital velocity is the speed at which an object must travel in order to maintain a stable orbit around another body, such as a planet or a moon. It is determined by the mass of the object being orbited and the distance between the two objects. The greater the mass of the object being orbited and the closer the distance between the two objects, the higher the orbital velocity required.
The order of planes in the solar system
- Mercury: Mercury is the planet closest to the sun, and it is the smallest planet in the solar system. It has a rocky surface and a thin atmosphere, and it is known for its extreme temperature variations.
- Venus: Venus is the second planet from the sun, and it is the hottest planet in the solar system. It has a thick atmosphere that traps heat, and it is often referred to as the Earth’s “sister planet” due to its similar size and composition.
- Earth: Earth is the third planet from the sun, and it is the only known planet to support life. It has a diverse range of environments, including oceans, land, and atmosphere, and it is home to a wide variety of plants and animals.
- Mars: Mars is the fourth planet from the sun, and it is the second smallest planet in the solar system. It has a rocky surface and a thin atmosphere, and it is known for its red color, which is caused by iron oxide (rust) on its surface.
- Jupiter: Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun, and it is the largest planet in the solar system. It is a gas giant, meaning it is made up mostly of gases, and it has a number of moons orbiting around it.
- Saturn: Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun, and it is the second largest planet in the solar system. It is also a gas giant, and it is known for its beautiful rings, which are made up of ice and dust particles.
- Uranus: Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun, and it is the third largest planet in the solar system. It is also a gas giant, and it has a number of moons orbiting around it.
- Neptune: Neptune is the eighth and final planet from the sun, and it is the fourth largest planet in the solar system. It is also a gas giant, and it has a number of moons orbiting around it.
Evaluation
- Which of the following planets is the closest to the sun? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Mars
- Which of the following planets is the hottest in the solar system? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Mars
- Which of the following planets is the second smallest in the solar system? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Mars
- Which of the following planets is the largest in the solar system? a) Jupiter b) Saturn c) Uranus d) Neptune
- Which of the following planets is known for its red color? a) Jupiter b) Saturn c) Uranus d) Mars
- Which of the following planets is a gas giant? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Saturn
- Which of the following planets has the most moons? a) Jupiter b) Saturn c) Uranus d) Neptune
- Which of the following planets is known for its beautiful rings? a) Jupiter b) Saturn c) Uranus d) Neptune
- Which of the following planets is the third largest in the solar system? a) Jupiter b) Saturn c) Uranus d) Neptune
- Which of the following planets is the eighth and final planet from the sun? a) Jupiter b) Saturn c) Uranus d) Neptune
Answers
- Which of the following planets is the closest to the sun? a) Mercury
- Which of the following planets is the hottest in the solar system? a) Venus
- Which of the following planets is the second smallest in the solar system? a) Mars
- Which of the following planets is the largest in the solar system? a) Jupiter
- Which of the following planets is known for its red color? a) Mars
- Which of the following planets is a gas giant? a) Saturn
- Which of the following planets has the most moons? a) Jupiter
- Which of the following planets is known for its beautiful rings? a) Saturn
- Which of the following planets is the third largest in the solar system? a) Uranus
- Which of the following planets is the eighth and final planet from the sun? a) Neptune
Presentation:
The topic is presented step by step
Step 1: The class teacher revises the old topic
Step 2: The class teacher introduces the new topic
Step 3: The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and gives room for pupils” participation
Class Teacher and Pupils Activities. Interaction or Participation
This involves class teacher and pupils’ interaction, conversation, imitation or modeling through discussion, play method or just by recitation or asking and answering questions that are related to the topic that has just been taught
- Research activity: Students can use online resources or books to learn about the different planets in the solar system and their characteristics, such as their size, composition, distance from the sun, and number of moons.
- Demonstration activity: The teacher can demonstrate the relative sizes of the planets using balls or other objects to represent each planet. The teacher can also use a model of the solar system to show the planets’ positions and orbits.
- Group work activity: Students can work in small groups to create a poster or presentation about a specific planet, sharing their research findings with the rest of the class.
- Hands-on activity: Students can create a model of the solar system using craft materials, such as paper, cardboard, and paint, to represent the different planets and their positions and orbits.
- Discussion activity: The teacher can facilitate a class discussion about the planets and their characteristics, encouraging students to share their own ideas and ask questions.
- Quiz activity: The teacher can create a quiz or game to test students’ knowledge of the planets and their order in the solar system.
- Field trip activity: Students can visit a planetarium or other educational facility to learn more about the solar system and see a simulated model of the planets and their orbits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning about the order of planets in the solar system is an engaging and informative topic that can help students understand the characteristics and positions of the planets in our solar system. Through activities such as research, demonstrations, group work, hands-on projects, discussions, quizzes, and field trips, students can develop a greater appreciation for the diversity and complexity of the planets and their roles in the solar system. Understanding the order of the planets can also help students understand concepts such as gravity, orbits, and celestial mechanics, which can broaden their knowledge of the physical world and inspire their curiosity about the universe.
