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TEACHER’S GUI DE
TEACHER’S GUI DE
Suggested Internet Resources
Periodically, Internet Resources are updated on our web site at
www.LibraryVideo.com
• www.kidsastronomy.com/jupiter.htm
Kids Astronomy has great fact-filled pages about the outer planets. Start
with Jupiter and find out how it was named, what it is like and how much
you would weigh on the giant planet before moving on to Saturn and the
other gas giants!
• www.windows.ucar.edu/
“Windows to the Universe” has an enormous amount of information on the
Sun, the planets, and other bodies found in our solar system.
• seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/
The “Nine Planets” is a multimedia tour of the solar system, featuring the
history, mythology and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets
and their moons.
• pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/
“Welcome to the Planets” presents some of the best images from NASA’s
planetary exploration program along with detailed information on the planets and the space probes used.
The Outer Planets
Grades 2–5
TEACHER’S GUIDE
COMPLETE LIST OF TITLES
• THE EARTH
• THE INNER PLANETS
• THE MOON & OTHER OBJECTS
IN THE SKY
• THE OUTER PLANETS
Teacher’s Guides Included
and Available Online at:
• SPACE TRAVEL
• STARS
• STUDYING THE SOLAR SYSTEM
• UNDERSTANDING THE UNIVERSE
800-843-3620
Teacher’s Guide Copyright 2006 by Schlessinger Media,
a division of Library Video Company
P.O. Box 580, Wynnewood, PA 19096 • 800-843-3620
All rights reserved.
he Space Exploration: Adi in Space series includes
eight segmented space science programs that ask the
everyday questions many children have about the world
around them. Animations and space footage, along with
clear illustrations, explain some of the many mysteries in
the sky above our heads. Designed to reinforce fundamental concepts in Earth and Space science, viewing
these programs also stimulates children’s interest in the
scientific process and helps them grow comfortable asking questions of their own.
This guide provides a brief synopsis of the program, background on the science concepts presented in the show,
discussion topics, activities, vo c abulary and additional
resources.
T
Paula J. Bense
B.S., Biology, M.Ed., Elementary Education
Schlessinger Media Curriculum Specialist
V6784
Program Overview
The Outer Planets asks the following five questions about the distant planets
known as gas giants. Space travelers Adi and Woops help viewers clearly
answer each question using computer graphics and space footage.
Which is the biggest planet?
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.A big ball of gas that spins on
itself at high speed, it’s 11 times bigger than Eart h .Violent storm s , i n cluding a
cyclone known as the Great Red Spot, rage on its surface. Jupiter’s center is a
small solid core, but because of the storms, it is not going to be easy to prove it!
Does Jupiter have lots of moons?
Jupiter has many small moons.The four largest and most well known are Io,
which has its own atmosphere, Europa, which may possess an underground
ocean, and Callisto and Ganymede, both covered in ice. In addition to those
“Galilean” moons, it has at least 16 smaller moons and even some rings, like
Saturn!
Is Saturn like Jupiter?
Jupiter and Saturn do have similarities. Like Jupiter, Saturn is an enormous
planet, ten times bigger than Earth, made up of gas and covered by a layer of
clouds that move around. Saturn also has approximately 20 or so moons.The
biggest one,Titan, is similar to our Earth.
What are Saturn’s rings?
From far away, they look like multicolored, continuous smooth circles, but
close up we can see that they are, in fact, millions of stones and ice crystals
that revolve around Saturn.
Why do we hear less about Uranus and Neptune than other planets?
They are gaseous planets like Jupiter and Saturn, but they are four times
smaller and much further away. It is very difficult to observe them in great
detail and we don’t know much about the atmosphere or the temperature on
either Uranus or Neptune.
Vocabulary
Jupiter — The fifth planet from the Sun is the largest in the solar system, is
comprised of gases and liquids, and features very severe weather.Also known
for the Great Red Spot, a wind storm that is three times the size of Earth.
Saturn — The sixth planet from the Sun is a gas planet with 21 moons. Best
known for its large rings made of icy chunks.
Uranus — The seventh planet from the Sun is a gas planet with smaller and
darker rings than those of neighboring Saturn.
Neptune — The eighth planet from the Sun is an extremely windy and cold
planet that is colored blue by its gases.
Pluto — The ninth planet from the Sun is the coldest in the solar system — a
solid, rocky planet that would take 12 years to reach if traveling from Earth.
Europa — One of Jupiter’s many moons.While not as big as Earth’s moon,
there is evidence that mysterious Europa harbors an ocean.
Ganymede — A moon of Jupiter and the largest moon in the solar system.
(Continued)
Io — A moon of Jupiter with many active volcanoes.
Titan — Saturn’s largest moon. Its thick, foggy atmosphere shows hints of
oceans and continents.
Discussion questions
1.What is the largest planet in the solar system?
2.Why have we sent probes instead of astronauts to explore the distant gas
giant planets?
3.What is the main reason we could not land on four of the fi ve outer planets?
4.What is the Great Red Spot?
5.What are the names of Jupiter’s four largest moons?
6.What is a solar system?
7.What are some characteristics of Saturn?
8. How is Saturn’s moon like a young Earth?
9.What do we know about Neptune and Uranus?
10. How far away are the gas planets?
Activities
• While Pluto is considered to be the planet farthest away from the Sun, there
are times during its orbit that Neptune drifts farther out. Have students
research this occurrence and report about it to the class.
• Have students discover what they would weigh on other planets at this
web site: www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/.This page from the
Science Exploratorium site explains the relationship between mass and
weight as well as gravity, mass and distance.
• Ask students whether they think humans will ever set up a colony on any
of the other planets in our solar system. Based on the information presented in the program, discuss with students what other planet they think
would be best for humans to inhabit.
• Have students prepare planetary mobiles for display, showing unique characteristics of each planet.
Suggested Print Resources
• Cole, Michael D. Uranus:The Seventh Planet. Enslow Publishers, Inc.,
Berkeley Heights, NJ; 2002.
• Kerrod, Robin. Saturn. Lerner Publications Co., Minneapolis, MN; 2000.
• Kerrod, Robin. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Lerner Publications Co.,
Minneapolis, MN; 2000.