Middle School, Astronomy Lesson Plans (9 results)

Astronomy is science that will challenge your imagination. How many stars in a galaxy? How many galaxies in the known universe? How many strange worlds are out there on other planets, orbiting other stars, and what are they like? Is there life on planets besides Earth? The distances are mind-boggling; the numbers are immense.

Make a Model of the Solar System

Lesson Plan Grade: 6th-8th

6 reviews

This hands-on science lesson will help your students get a more accurate view of the solar system by making a scale model. They will do the calculations, make model planets, and find out where to place them so their model reflects reality. Seeing the relative size of the eight planets and their distance from the Sun displayed before them will allow your students to grasp the structure and vastness of the solar system. Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

MS-ESS1-3. Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

Modeling Gravity

Lesson Plan Grade: 6th-8th

6 reviews

Why can we feel gravity pull us down towards the Earth, but not sideways towards other big objects like buildings? Why do the planets in our solar system orbit the sun instead of flying off into space? In this lesson plan your students will develop a model for gravity and use it to explore answers to these questions. Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

MS-PS2-4. Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects.
MS-ESS1-2. Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.

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Pocket Solar System

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

4 reviews

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Earth's Rotation

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

2 reviews

"Blue Marble" © 2002 NASA Earth Observatory Many of the misconceptions about our solar system are rooted in the fact that it is large and hard to comprehend. This kinesthetic activity will demonstrate concepts like rotation and orbit, clarify movement and direction, and help students understand why earthlings see different things in the sky. Read more

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Longer Days, Shorter Nights

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

"Diagram of the Earth's seasons as seen from the south" © 2006 Tau'olunga This kinesthetic activity demonstrates to students that the Earth's tilt is what is responsible for shifting light patterns and the change in seasons. Read more

A Roundabout Way to Mars

Lesson Plan Grade: 6th-8th

Students explore orbit transfers and, specifically, Hohmann transfers. They investigate the orbits of Earth and Mars by using cardboard and string. Students learn about the planets' orbits around the sun, and about a transfer orbit from one planet to the other. After the activity, students will know exactly what is meant by a delta-v maneuver!Engineering Connection Aerospace engineers must be creative when planning the best routes and methods to send a spacecraft from Earth… Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

MS-ESS1-2. Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Birthday Stars

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

1 review

"Star" © 2014 Tom Hall Constellations have been used for centuries for navigation and time keeping. In this interactive lesson, students will learn the difference between their sun sign and their birthday stars. Read more

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Moon Phases

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

1 review

"Full Moon 2010" © Gregory H. Revera You'll be surprised at how many misconceptions you can debunk by modeling the phases of the moon with a light and a styrofoam ball! Read more

Kinesthetic Astronomy: The Meaning of a Year

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-8th

2 reviews