Introduction to the Earth
Main Topics | Standards | Science Probe | Lessons | Resources
- Main Topics & Concepts
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Relationship of the Earth in the solar system
Facts and figures about the Earth
Surface features of the Earth (continents/oceans/mountains/trenches/...) - Standards
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This topic touches on SFUSD Content Standard 18 (Astronomy)
through Performance Standard 18.4.
- Science Probe Text
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Science Probe I has an introduction to the solar system in
Chapter 13, section 1. Section 2 takes a closer look at
individual planets.
Activity Access Description Science Probe I:
Activity 13A
Your Thoughts About the Solar System
Encourages students to brainstorm about the solar system, dividing their thoughts into quandrants based on what they think they know, where they would like to travel in the solar system, what the relative scales are between the Earth and moon, and what questions about the solar system they would like to have answered. Science Probe I:
Activity 13B
A Map of the Solar System
Students construct a map of the solar system, by cutting out circles of varying diameters to represent the different planets and pasting them on paper tape at the appropriate distance from the Sun. Science Probe I:
Activity 13C
Comparing the Planets
Students use a table of planetary facts and figures to answer discussion questions. - Activities & Lessons
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Activity Access Description Exploring the Planets National Air and Space Museum
This on-line tour of the solar system is student-friendly. It provides an introduction to each planet and tools for comparison. The web pages on Earth can be used independently of the others. It contains a subsection called "The Planet Earth" that addresses the Magnetospere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere, and Hydrosphere. The tour does not include any structured activities or assessment tools. Powers of Ten Florida State University
This activity is part of the Molecular Expressions - Exploring the World of Optics and Microscopy Web site. Powers of Ten is a Java applet that starts in the Milky Way and zooms into an oak tree in Tallahassee and on into the subatomic world. While this Web pages is primarily a visual experience in scale, it is accompanied by a link to a classroom activity.
Very cool, but there may b problems depending on the bandwidth of the Internet connection.Comparing the size and density of the planets and their moons Ball State University
This is a teacher's guide from the Messages from Outer Space Online Web site. This activity uses graphs and tables for students to analyze common characteristics of the planets and their moons.
This is an alternative to the version in Science Probe I. - Resources
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Resources Access Description Views of the Solar System
Calvin Hamilton
Similar to the NASA site called Earth Planet Profile. Part of a series of pages covering the solar system. The introduction has statistics, animinations, and views of the Earth. There is a section on the interior of the Earth.
Useful for students and teachers. Makes extensive use of images, which may be slow in loading.The Great Globe Gallery Zbigniew Zwolinski, Uniwersytet im Adama Mickiewicz (Poznan, Poland)
The Great Globe Gallery contains more than 100 globes that will help you to better understand our world. Also included are lesson plans and links to creating your own maps.
Useful for students and teachers.EarthView Explorer Columbia University
Provides satellite and other current images of the earth, showing climate, oceans, biota, and geological processes. Downloading data can take some time, and data files must be "unzipped" before using, but clicking on the "-sphere" headings provides some nice images.