Text Set: Our Solar System
All standards listed refer to Grade 5 California Content Standards for Science.
Refer to end of text set for detailed listing of standards addressed.
Angela Covil
Summary: Three disc CDROM
set that tours the universe and our solar system. Solar system disc features flybys of the
surfaces of all 9 planets, a planet building simulation game that allows
students to test the laws of the universe, and a 3-D interactive planetary museum. Excellent resource for
visuals of the planets and introducing the laws of the universe.
Grades 4-8. Located at
Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
Summary: CDROM allows students to take an interactive walk through the solar system and learn about the planets. Disc includes videos and photographs of the planets, historical facts, and interviews with astronomers.
Grades 4-8.
Located at
Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
Summary: This 20 minute video provides an introduction to the formation of the solar system, the stars, moon, and planets. The descriptions and explanations are brief, but clear. From the Science and Our Universe video series.
Grades 2-5. Located at
Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
Summary: This is an excellent reference book for all areas of space. It addresses everything from the concept of the universe to the planets to space exploration. A very comprehensive resource for elementary students.
Grades 3-6. In Angela Covil’s personal library and Barnes and Noble Stores ISBN: 0-7613-2276-0
Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
Summary: This book takes students on a tour of the solar system with facts about each planet and the sun written on postcards from home. A tour guide makes sure the important facts are presented.
Grades 1-4. In Angela Covil’s personal library and Barnes and Noble Stores ISBN: 0-8234-1237-7
Earth Science Standards: 5.b.
Summary: Several experiments in this book teach kids about the laws of the universe and the workings of our solar system. Experiments include Mercury’s atmosphere, the shape of planetary orbits, and relative planet size.
Grades 4-6. Located at
Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
Investigation and Experimentation: All standards addressed.
Summary: Written in narrative form, this book answers questions about the formation of our solar system and the planets. In doing so, it addresses gravity, radiation, and heat, in addition to the chemical and physical nature of the sun. Plenty of valuable information that is directed at upper grades, but written using vocabulary and descriptions that makes it easy for younger students to understand.
Grades 2-8.
Located at
Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
Summary: Follows the launch
and exploration of the Voyager spacecraft, describing Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
and
Grades 4-8.
Located at
Earth Science Standards: 5.b.
Summary: This website is excellent for researching any area of space science. It is designed for educational use and has a large cache of photographs to accompany text. The site is easily navigable and searchable, but the text is more suited for older students.
Grades 5+. http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/ceps/homepage.html
Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
Summary: This book provides many interesting facts about the sun, including the sun’s layers, source of energy, origin, and solar activity. Each page is filled with large pictures to accompany the descriptions of the sun. Excellent all-encompassing resource for the sun.
Grades 3-6.
Located at
Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.c.
11. The
Ms. Frizzle is at it again in this exciting field trip around the solar system. As the class travels around the solar system they learn about each planet, the power of the sun, and the mystery of black holes. This story is appropriate for 2-6 grade. Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b.
12. Secret
Worlds: Black Holes and Other Space Oddities. 2002. Written by Alex Barnet.
Using beautiful pictures, this book describes star facts, planet characteristics, galaxies, and many other interesting facts about space. This book is appropriate for 4-8 grade. Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
13. The
Best Book of the Moon. 1999. Written by Ian Grahm.
This book is filled with beautiful illustrations of the moon. This book gives historical information on the power of the moon and the beliefs that many cultures have had about the moon. This book is most appropriate for 4-7 grade. Earth Science Standards: 5.b.
14. Comets,
Meteors, and Asteroids. 1994. Written by Seymore
Simon.
The history of comets, meteors, and asteroids are described as well as the material makeup of them. This book uses beautiful photographs and illustrations to describe where meteors and asteroids come from. This book is appropriate for grades 2-7 Earth Science Standards: 5.b.
15. The Usborne Linked Book of Astronomy and Space. 2001.
Written by Lisa Miles and Alistair Smith.
Using N.A.S.A. photos, this book covers the known facts of the universe, planets, and life of a star. This book includes a question and answer section as well as a listing of astronomy facts. This book is appropriate for 4-9 grade. Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
16. Space.
1997. Written by Bobbie Kalman and Nikki Walker.
This book gives facts about each planet as well as moons, satellites and space exploration. Appropriate for grades 2-7. Earth Science Standards: 5.b.
17. Can You
Hear a Shout in Space: Questions and Answers About Space Exploration.1999. Written by Melvin and Gilda
Berger. Illustrated by Vincent Difate.
This book is full of questions and answers about space exploration. Questions are asked such as: how do astronauts get ready for space? This book gives detailed and illustrated answers for many of the questions in the book. This book is appropriate for 3-6 grade. Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
18. The Big
Golden Book of Space.1997. Written by David Glover. Illustrated by Bob
Corley.
This book has beautiful illustrations of the space shuttle, rockets, space travelers, and planets. Each page has special facts and historical dates about space travel. Appropriate for grades 2-6. Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c. Investigation and Experimentation: 6.g.
19. Take
Along Guide: Planets, Moons, and Stars. 2003. Written by Laura Evert. Illustrated by Linda Garrow.
This book gives historical reference to planets, moons, constellations, and stars. This informative book is good for higher-level readers and includes instructions for craft ideas such as mobiles and constellation notebooks. Appropriate for grades 3-8. Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
20. Do
Stars Have Points? Questions and Answers About Stars
and Planets. 1998. Written by Melvin and Gilda Berger. Illustrated by
Vincent Difate.
This book gives great details about space such as how the planets move as well as the distances between planets. This book also has information on how the earth changes with gravity. This book is great for ELL students because of the colorful illustrations. Most appropriate for 4-7 grade. Earth Science Standards: 5.a., 5.b., 5.c.
Michelle Freeman-Bonfante
This video will
give children an understanding of the nearby star -- the sun. This video
explores why the sun is so important to the earth. Students will discover how the sun is
responsible for our seasons and weather and how it is the primary source of
energy on Earth. This video is appropriate
for grades 2-4.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
This video will
take students on a tour of the nine planets in our solar system. The video will focus on the size of the
planets, the distance from the sun, the temperatures, and solid vs. gaseous
planets. Students will also learn about
the terms rotation, revolution, and orbit.
This video is appropriate for grades 2-4.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
Former astronaut
Sally Ride and science teacher Tam O'Shaughnessy provide an overview of the
Pathfinder mission and on the study of the planet Mars. The authors explore what we know about Mars
today and what we are hoping to learn about Mars in the future (including the
possibility of primitive life beneath Mars surface). This book contains
wonderful photos from Mars. This book is
appropriate for grades 4-8.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
This book
contains numerous activities about our solar system. Also included are reproducible
flashcards and award certificates. The
activities in this book are appropriate for grades 5-8.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
This website is
created for children and contains a wealth of information about space
exploration, galaxies, stars, planets, and more. This website also has activities related to
space including how to calculate your weight on each planet, experiments on how
to create a simulation of a meteorite, and much more. This website would be appropriate for grades
4-7.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
This is a
wonderful website! This website is
created for children at two different levels.
The first level is for those who are just beginning to explore their
understandings of space. The second
level is for those who have an understanding of the basic aspects of
space. This website has a lot of
valuable information. This website is
appropriate for grades 4-9.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
This website has
the most up-to-date information on information about our solar system. This
website contains clear images of space, current news relating to space, details
of space flights and launch operations, and much more. This website is appropriate for grades 4-9.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
The clear
photographs and exciting text help readers discover the different elements in
space. This book takes children through the solar system, and covers topics
such as the stars, black holes, solar eclipses, and more. This book is appropriate for grades 4-7.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
This encyclopedia
has a wealth of information about space and science. This encyclopedia contains sections about our
solar system, including "Planet Earth" and "Space and
Time". This encyclopedia is appropriate
for grades 4-8.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
This book holds
information about the universe including the solar system, constellations,
asteroids, planets, stars, comets, meteorites, and much more. This book includes interesting facts and
figures about the solar system. This
book is appropriate for grades 4-7.
Standards: Earth
Science 5. a., 5. b., and
5.c.
Grade 5 Earth Science Content Standards
5. The solar system consists of planets and other bodies that orbit the Sun in predict-able paths. As a basis for understanding this concept:
a. Students know the Sun, an average star, is the central and largest body in the solar system and is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium.
b. Students know the solar system includes the planet Earth, the Moon, the Sun, eight other planets and their satellites, and smaller objects, such as asteroids and comets.
c. Students know the path of a planet around the Sun is due to the gravitational attraction between the Sun and the planet.
Grade 5 Science: Investigation and
Experimentation
6. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and
conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept
and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop
their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:
a. Classify objects (e.g., rocks, plants, leaves) in accordance with
appropriate criteria.
b. Develop a testable question.
c. Plan and conduct a simple investigation based on a student-developed
question and write instructions others can follow to carry out the procedure.
d. Identify the dependent and controlled variables in an investigation.
e. Identify a single independent variable in a scientific investigation and
explain how this variable can be used to collect information to answer a
question about the results of the experiment.
f. Select appropriate tools (e.g., thermometers, meter sticks, balances, and graduated cylinders) and make quantitative observations.
g. Record data by using appropriate graphic representations (including charts, graphs, and labeled diagrams) and make inferences based on those data.
h. Draw conclusions from scientific evidence and indicate whether further information is needed to support a specific conclusion.
i. Write a report of an investigation that includes conducting tests, collecting data or examining evidence, and drawing conclusions.