Unit 14: The Solar System
Science 7
Ms. Whitehair and Mr. Morse
Name _________________________________________ Hour ________ Due Date ______________
Day 1
Standards:



10.4 THE STUDENT WILL DISTINGUISH BETWEEN CELESTIAL OBJECTS THAT PRODUCE LIGHT
AND THOSE THAT REFLECT LIGHT. [E8B1]
10.5 THE STUDENT WILL DISTINGUISH AMONG PLANETS, MOONS, ASTEROIDS, AND COMETS
BASED ON THEIR DIFFERENT SIZES, COMPOSTIONS AND SURFACE FEATURES. [E8B2]
10.8 THE STUDENT WILL MODEL THE PLANETS IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM TO ILLUSTRATE HOW
THEY ORBIT THE SUN. [E8B3, E8B4, E8B5, E8B6]
Activities: The Terrestrial Planets
1. “Do Now” Bell Work **
A. Define the following vocabulary words: terrestrial planet, solar
system
B. Which characteristics on Earth support life?
2. Assign Solar System Project
3. Solar System Notes Part 1: Terrestrial Planets
ScienceSaurus: page 240; Astronomy book: pages 98 – 101
Points
Due Date
_________/4
100 points
_________/5
Day 2
Standards:



10.4 THE STUDENT WILL DISTINGUISH BETWEEN CELESTIAL OBJECTS THAT PRODUCE LIGHT
AND THOSE THAT REFLECT LIGHT. [E8B1]
10.5 THE STUDENT WILL DISTINGUISH AMONG PLANETS, MOONS, ASTEROIDS, AND COMETS
BASED ON THEIR DIFFERENT SIZES, COMPOSTIONS AND SURFACE FEATURES. [E8B2]
10.8 THE STUDENT WILL MODEL THE PLANETS IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM TO ILLUSTRATE HOW
THEY ORBIT THE SUN. [E8B3, E8B4, E8B5, E8B6]
Activities: Gas Giants
1. “Do Now” Bell Work **
A. Define the following vocabulary words: Gas Giant (Jovian
Planets), dwarf planet
B. How are Gas Giants different from Terrestrial planets?
2. Solar System Notes Part 2: Gas Giants
ScienceSaurus: page 240-241; Astronomy book: pages 104 - 109
3. Video: “A Spin Around our Solar System: How the Solar
System Works” w/ movie questions.
Points
Due Date
_________/4
_________/5
10 points
Day 3
Standards:

10.5 THE STUDENT WILL DISTINGUISH AMONG PLANETS, MOONS, ASTEROIDS, AND COMETS
BASED ON THEIR DIFFERENT SIZES, COMPOSTIONS AND SURFACE FEATURES. [E8B2]
Activities: “Space Junk”
1. “Do Now” Bell Work **
Define the following vocabulary words: asteroid, comet, asteroid
belt, meteoroid, meteorite, meteor, astronomical unit
2. Space Junk Notes: Asteroids, Meteors, and Meteorites
ScienceSaurus: page 241-243; Astronomy book: pages 118 - 121
3. Give Out Study Guide
Points
_________/7
_________/5
none
Due Date
Day 4
Standards:

10.3 THE STUDENT WILL IDENTIFY THE PURPOSE OF VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS
USED FOR COLLECTING DATA ABOUT THE UNIVERSE (TELESCOPES, SPACE PROBES, SPACE
FLIGHTS, AND SATELLITES). [N8B1, E8B]
Activities: Collecting Data about the Universe
1. “Do Now” Bell Work **
Define the following vocabulary words: rocket, NASA, artificial
satellite, space probe, space shuttle, reflecting telescope, refracting
telescope
2. Video: “Space Exploration: The Rockets” w/ IVF
3. Quiz: Planets, “Space Junk”, and Space exploration
Points
Due Date
_________/7
10 points
15 points
Days 5 & 6
Standards:



1.16 THE STUDENT WILL DISCUSS CAREERS RELATED TO EARTH SCIENCE. (3, 14) [N8B2]
1.17 THE STUDENT WILL USE MODELS TO DEVELOP SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING. [N8A6]
10.3 THE STUDENT WILL IDENTIFY THE PURPOSE OF VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS
USED FOR COLLECTING DATA ABOUT THE UNIVERSE (TELESCOPES, SPACE PROBES, SPACE
FLIGHTS, AND SATELLITES). [N8B1, E8B]
Activities: “October Sky”
1. Students will watch the movie, “October Sky”.
A parent-signed permission slip is required to watch this video.
Students who do not have permission to watch this movie will have
an alternative assignment to complete in a separate location.
Points
Due Date
15 points
Day 7
Standards:

10.3 THE STUDENT WILL IDENTIFY THE PURPOSE OF VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS
USED FOR COLLECTING DATA ABOUT THE UNIVERSE (TELESCOPES, SPACE PROBES, SPACE
FLIGHTS, AND SATELLITES). [N8B1, E8B]
Activities: Collecting Data about the Universe
1. “Do Now” Bell Work **
Answer the following question: What have you learned about space
exploration from our discussion of rockets, satellites, and space
probes?
2. Astronomy Unit Test: Test points are awarded separately from
Unit points.
3. Show projects (gallery walk)
Points
Due Date
_________/2
50 points
none
Day 8
Standards:

10.4, 10.5, 10.9, 10.11 – 10.3
Activities: Collecting Data about the Universe
1. Mapping the Stars with Balloon Model:
A. Read pages 14-17
B. Answer question 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11
Points
20 points
Total Points:
Due Date