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I wanted to create a 10-day unit plan for a 5th grade class about the Solar System. I know I want them to learn about each of the planets and the order that they are in, along with the sun. I think I want the main focus to be the size and the scale of the Solar System but I'm not sure where a good starting place for the lesson would be. I was thinking that the final project would be to create a model of the Solar System possibly using different sized foam balls that the students could color to look like the different planets. If anyone has any activity or lesson ideas, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Hi Amanda!  A good place to start might be to take a look at the NASA Solar System page that has a lot of good links https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ 

Another good resource is the Solar System Ambassador page that lists ambassadors who are happy to come out to your class and make a presentation or help out in other ways https://solarsystem1.jpl.nasa.gov/ssa/home.cfm

Also, Challenger Centers have wonderful activities and hands-on activities and missions at a local Challenger Center https://www.challenger.org

Best of luck!

Hi Amanda! I am also currently working on an unit plan on the Solar System for 5th grade. I found the website Mystery Science has a lot of great, engaging, hands-on activities and lesson plans. They have activities and lessons for the solar system and several other science topics for elementary and middle schoolers. Between NSTA and Mystery Science, I have discovered several useful resources! Hope this helps!