“The Little Star That Could”
Compare and Contrast Planets and Stars
Adapted for TCSS from ”The Little Star That Could”, Written by Kim Small
Objectives: Students will list characteristics of stars and planets. Students will be
able to identify five characteristics of planets and stars (each) that are different
from one another. Students will be able to identify five characteristics that are
similar between planets and stars.
Procedures:
1. Explore prior knowledge – Give each student a “Compare and Contrast
Planets and Stars” worksheet. Ask them each to fill out the worksheet
independently for 5 -7 minutes. They should write down as many
characteristics as they can in each of the columns on the worksheet.
2. Cooperative sharing – Separate students into groups of 2 or 3. Students
should share their answers with the other members of their groups.
Students should add any new information that they learned from another
group member to their worksheet.
3. Determine student confidence with prior knowledge – By looking at the
groups’ worksheets, determine the approximate number of correct
answers they have listed in each column.
4. Create a master Compare and Contrast worksheet – Have each group
report their answers to the class. Record all correct characteristics on the
master. Have students include all of the class answers on their worksheet.
Assessment: Students will independently fill out the assessment worksheet.
Name ____________________________
“The Little Star That Could”
Compare and Contrast Planets and Stars
Planets
Planets and Stars
Stars
“The Little Star That Could”
Compare and Contrast Planets and Stars Answer Key Sample
*Student answers to do not need to include all facts but should reflect
appearance, position, and number in the night sky.
For a comparison of planets to stars in regard to appearance, both planets and stars look like
points of light in the night sky, because they are so far away. When viewed through a telescope
or binoculars, planets are not as bright as stars. In addition, planets appear as disks, whereas,
stars look like fuzzy lights.
When a comparison of the actual sizes and compositions of planets and stars is made, many
differences exist. Planets are much smaller than stars. In regard to composition, planets are
made of substances which reflect sunlight, whereas, stars consist of hot gases which produce
light.
For a comparison of planets to stars in regard to position, planets appear to change their
positions in relation to the stars, whereas, stars appear to remain in fixed positions in relation to
each other.
For a comparison of planets to stars in regard to number, planets and stars in the night sky
appear quite different; only a few planets, but many stars, can be seen.
Because stars are so far away from us, changes in their positions are barely noticeable; thus,
constellations appear to remain the same. Planets are closer to us than stars and the planets are
in constant motion as they orbit the sun; therefore, they can be seen in different locations in the
night sky in relation to the constellations.