Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Solar System

Name: Suzanna Schatzlein

Content Area: Physical Science

Grade Level: 8

CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

4.c. Students know how to use astronomical units and light years as measures of distances between the Sun, stars,
and Earth.
4.d. Students know that stars are the source of light for all bright objects in outer space and that the Moon and
planets shine by reflected sunlight, not by their own light.
4.e. Students know the appearance, general composition, relative position and size, and motion of objects in the
solar system, including planets, planetary satellites, comets, and asteroids.
Big Ideas:
1. Students realize how crucial Earth's position in our solar system is in order to support life.
2. Students consider how small we are in the solar system compared to other planets, the Sun, and the vastness of
space.
3. Is there life beyond our solar system?
Unit Goals and Objectives:
1. Students will be able to use astronomical units and light years to describe the distances between objects in the
solar system.
2. Students will be able to classify objects as light producing or light reflecting.
3. Students will be able to identify objects found in our solar system.
4. Students will be able to explain the reason for different compositions of the objects in our solar system, and their
general motion.
5. Students will be able to draw a model of the solar system to illustrate the general position of objects in the solar

system.
6. Students will be able to describe the appearance and size of objects in our solar system.
Unit Summary:
Throughout this unit students will learn a plethora of information about our Solar System. Some of this information
includes how our solar system was formed and the objects it contains. They will also learn about how massive
objects in our solar system can be, as well as what they look like, and what they are made of. Students will use
interactive websites and other activities to learn about the organization of our solar system, how objects move, and
the vast distances between them. In order to understand the distances between objects, students will learn about
how astronomical units and light years are used to measure distances in space. Another important concept covered
in this unit is which objects produce their own light, and which objects reflect light. This unit on the solar system
really makes us realize how unique our planet is, and how lucky we are to be alive!
Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
Formative:
Summative:
1.Anticipatory Set
1.Guided Notes
1.Space Brochure
- Students mark a series of
- Students complete statements
- Students are given a planet or
statements as true or false.
and answer questions while
object found in space, and
following a lecture.
students must design a
brochure for tourists to come
2.Class Discussion
and visit that destination.
- Throughout the unit, students
2.Exam
are called upon to share
- Students must demonstrate
answers and ideas.
knowledge that they have
learned from this unit.
3.Graphic Organizer
- Students contrast inner and
outer planets.
4.Quiz
- Students must demonstrate
knowledge that they have
learned thus far in the unit.

Lesson 1
Student Learning
Objective:
1. Students will be
able to use
astronomical units
and light years to
describe the
distances between
objects in the solar
system.
2. Students will be
able to classify
objects as light
producing or light
reflecting.
3. Students will be
able to identify
objects found in our
solar system.
5. Students will be
able to draw a
model of the solar
system to illustrate
the general position
of objects in the
solar system.

Acceptable
Evidence:
Drawn model of the
Solar System with
objects labeled.
Guided Notes
Class Discussion

Instructional
Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Lesson Activities:
Anticipatory Set
- Students will identify statements about our
solar system and the objects found in the
solar system as true or false. Students will
also learn which objects produce their own
light in the solar system.
Draw model of the Solar System
- Students will draw a model of the solar
system and include as much as they can. We
will then share with partners, and add to our
models as we learn more about the solar
system.
Lecture and guided notes
- Guided notes will describe how ideas of the
solar system have evolved, how it is
measured, which objects produce their own
light, and how we study the solar system
today.
Adaptations to model
- After the lecture and guided notes, students
will take a few minutes to add to the solar
system models.
Class Discussion What did you change about your
model?

Lesson 2
Student Learning
Objective:
4. Students will be
able to explain the
reason for different
compositions of the
objects in our solar
system, and their
general motion.

Acceptable
Evidence:
Webercise
Graphic Organizer
Quiz
-

6. Students will be
able to describe the
appearance and
size of objects in
our solar system.

Drawn model
of the solar
system with
objects
labeled.

Instructional
Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Lesson Activities:
Webercise
- Students will have two class periods to
complete the online webercise. Students will
follow links to websites that will give them
information to answer a set of questions.
Students will learn about objects found in the
solar system, as well as planets
compositions, sizes, locations, and motions.
Graphic Organizer
- Compare and contrast inner and outer
planets. Students will continue learning about
our planets compositions, sizes, and motion.
Quiz
-

Students will draw a model of the solar

system and label each planets name,
whether it is an inner or outer planet, the
asteroid belt, and the Kuiper belt.

Assign Space Brochure

Lesson 3
Student Learning
Objective:
1. Students will be
able to use
astronomical units
and light years to
describe the

Acceptable
Evidence:
Presentation and
submission of Space
Brochure.
Exam

Instructional
Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Lesson Activities:
Space Brochure
- Students will perform research and include
information on their planet or space object.
They will need to include the size,
composition, position in the solar system, and
whether it can support life. There will be

distances between
objects in the solar
system.
2. Students will be
able to classify
objects as light
producing or light
reflecting.
3. Students will be
able to identify
objects found in our
solar system.
4. Students will be
able to explain the
reason for different
compositions of the
objects in our solar
system, and their
general motion.
5. Students will be
able to draw a
model of the solar
system to illustrate
the general position
of objects in the
solar system.
6. Students will be
able to describe the
appearance and
size of objects in

more detailed requirements listed in the

rubric.
Space Brochure Presentations
- Students will take turns presenting their
Space Brochures. Students in the audience
will peer review each presentation, and
provide feedback to the student.
Review
- We will review information learned during the
unit before taking the unit exam. This will be
a whiteboard review. Each student will write
answers to questions on a whiteboard.
Exam
- Students will demonstrate knowledge learned
throughout the entire unit. This will be
collected as evidence for student learning of
content standards and learning objectives.

our solar system.

Unit Resources:
School Computer Lab, Textbook (California Physical Science, Prentice Hall), Rubric Maker, Quiz Star

Useful Websites:
Amazing Space.edu, Kids Astronomy.com, NOVA tour of the solar system, YouTube,