Lesson Plan - 5 Big Questions About The Solar System

Watch a Video: Newsie’s Challenge: Exploring Our Solar System
After watching, ask: Which facts did you find most interesting? Why?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• orbit 
• gravity

Set a Purpose for Reading
Point out the “As You Read” question. Have students think about why humans want to explore space.

1. What can you learn from the solar system illustration?
The illustration shows that there are eight planets traveling around the sun and that they have different sizes and appearances.
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2. Why does the author share the sentence “My Very Excited Mom Just Served Us Nachos”?
The author shares the sentence as a way to remember the names of the planets. He or she suggests taking the first letter of each planet’s name, starting from the sun, and using the letters to begin words in a funny sentence.
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3. Based on the article, what are some trips that everyday people may be able take in space in the future?
According to the article, people may someday be able to orbit Earth, visit the moon, or head way out into space, even to Mars.
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FEATURED SKILL: Build Vocabulary
Use the skill builder “Space Talk” to have students explore key vocabulary from the article.
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