Back Through The Stars
Space has always been fascinating to humans, ever since we looked up and noticed the stars twinkling in the night sky. Let's take a closer look at the planets that make up our Solar System!
1. Download the Excel Planets worksheet template and save it to your folder on the server. Make sure you type your name and teacher's name in the appropriate boxes. Come back to it (saved in your folder on the server) each week to add your research.
2. Add pictures of the planets from the "Pictures" folder on your desktop. Use the Insert feature in Excel, DO NOT TRY TO CLICK & DRAG--IT WILL NOT WORK! Resize the photos to fit the boxes on your worksheet.
2. Click on The Planets--Project Links to start your research. Find a description and fun fact for each planet. Write them IN YOUR OWN WORDS on your Planets worksheet. Do not copy and paste from websites, this is plagarism and against the law.
3. When you have finished gathering and typing your information, then format your Planets worksheet. Make sure it will fit on one page, and that all text can be read (is not cut off). Preview your worksheet to see what it will look like printed. If you are satisfied, and it looks good, print your Planets worksheet.
These links are grouped according to reading level, some easier, some harder. The easier sites are more basic, with not as much information. The harder sites are more comprehensive. I have put stars next to the best sites--start with those.
Easier:
Kids Astronomy.com - Great introduction to the Solar System.
StarChild - Great basic information about our solar system, the univers and space in a fun format.
The Planets at Enchanted Learning - Very kid-friendly and easy to read. Even has the temperatures, density and mass of each planet.
Harder:
*NASA Solar System - Great resource for information about each planet in fact charts.
*Windows to the Universe - Excellent resource on space and the solar system. Can be viewed at differing levels of reading ability.
Astonomy for Kids - Maps of the sky, constellations, the planets--lots of great stuff here!
Space.com - Information on the solar system and interesting articles. Great pictures!!!
Astronomy from Fact Monster - Several great links on Astronomy and Space Exploration.
California and Carnegie Planet Search - Find out how they search for new planets and about the Doppler Telescope.
Cosmeo from the Discovery Channel - Interesting articles about the universe.
Destination Mars - Interesting article about the red planet.
Exploratorium-Ten Cool Sites - Collection of links on Astronomy. Check them out!
How Stuff Works-Telescopes - Learn about how a telescope works.
NASA Inventions - Learn about inventions of our space program that benefit our health and more!
Planetary Photojournal at NASA - Very interesting images from different NASA missions.
Pluto is Demoted to 'Dwarf Planet' - The New York Times article online.
Space Quiz - Test your knowledge on the solar system with this quiz!
The Planets at Kidskonnect - A collection of links on the Universe and Space.
The Planets from NASA - Detailed real photographs of the planets from our space program.
The Science Channel - Interesting articles on space and the universe.
Tools & Equipment for Astronomy and Space Exploration - Learn about the various telescopes, SETI, the Very Large Array, space stations, shuttles and other inventions tied to space exploration.
Wikipedia article about planets - The official definition of a planet and other vocabulary terms. Pluto is no longer considered a planet!
Out of This World- A Science Unit on Space - For teachers and students. Students, scroll down to bottom of site for great links about space.
Are there links that don't work or are blocked? Contact Mrs. Timm at Hobart-el@lausd.net
