Download Worlds in Comparison

Worlds in Comparison
Grade Level: Six
Time Estimated for Lesson: 90 minutes
Objectives:
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Students will create a model that illustrates the planets order from the sun
Students will create planets out of play dough in order to conceptualize their relative sizes
Students will be able to describe the major physical differences between the inner and outer
planets
Students will become familiar with the physical characteristics of the eight planets
Outcomes:
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Gather information, describe, and display the physical characteristics of components of the solar
system (205-2, 300-23, 104-80)
Materials Needed:
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Play dough
Paper
Pencils
Planet labels/clue cards
Procedure:
Introdutcion
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Reflect on previous lesson
What is a planet?
How many planets are there?
What are the names of the 8 planets?
Which planet is the largest? Smallest?
Are some planets close to the same size?
What planets are made up of rocky materials?
What planets are made up of gases and ice?
Which planet is closest in size to earth?
Activity – How BIG are the planets?
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Have students get into groups and pass out the planet clue cards
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Challenge the students to read the clue cards and work in their groups to place the planets in
the correct order from the sun
Teach the students the M.V.E.M.J.S.U.N pneumonic: My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us
Nachos
Ask students if all of the planets are the same size
Ask students “what is a model?” and “why do we use models”
Provide each group with a big 3-pound ball of play dough, which represents the volume of all of
the planets combined
Students will start by reading the instructions handout (below), working with the play dough as
quickly as possible. They will need to follow the instructions as to how to divide up their play
dough placing the parts in the proper planet boxes
Once students have completed the play dough activity they will complete a worksheet to log
what they have learned
Closing:
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Ask students about some of the discoveries they made regarding the sizes of the planets. Were
there any surprises? Direct the discussion so that the students realize that the smaller planets
are the inner planets, while the larger planets are the outer planets
Productive Questions:
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How many planets are there?
What is the order of the planets in relation to the sun
Which planets are smaller in size? Bigger?
Which 2 planets are relatively close to the same sizes?
Which planet is closest to the sun? further?
Assessment:
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Listen to the students answer when asking them productive questions. Make sure they
understand the characteristics of the 8 planets
Monitor student participation in group activity
Worlds in Comparison
What’s This About?
This activity demonstrates the different sizes of the 8 planets in our solar system. Follow the
steps outlined below to see the relative size of each planet. Start with a big 3 pound ball of play
dough, which represents the volume of all the planets combined.
1. Divide the entire ball of Play dough into 10 equal parts
You may find it easiest to start by rolling the ball into one big hot dog shape
 Combine 6 parts together, roll them into a ball, and put the ball into the Jupiter
box
 Similarly combine 3 parts and put them into the Saturn box
2. Cut the remaining part into 10 equal parts
 Take 5 parts and combine them with the ball in the Saturn box
 Combine 2 parts to put into the Neptune box
 Put 2 parts into the Uranus box
3. Cut the remaining part into 4 equal parts
 Take 3 parts and combine them with the ball in the Saturn box
4. Cut the remaining part into 10 equal parts
 Put 2 parts into the earth box
 Put 2 parts into the Venus box
 Take 4 parts and combine them with the ball in the Uranus box
5. Combine the Remaining 2 parts and cut them into 10 equal parts
 Put 1 part into the mars box
 Take 4 parts and combine them with the ball in the Neptune box
 Take 4 parts and combine them with the ball in the Uranus box
6. Cut the remaining part into 10 equal parts
 Put 7 parts into the mercury box
 Take the remaining parts and combine them with the ball in the Uranus box
And Now… that you have divided the play dough to represent the planets by volume, roll the
pieces in each planets box into balls to best represent the shapes of the planets