Grade Level: 4th
Objective: Students will be able to identify and use tier 3 academic reading vocabulary related to the solar system.
Vocabulary words with definitions (e.g., orbit, celestial, terrestrial, gas giant, asteroid, comet)
Graphic organizer (e.g., a chart with columns for vocabulary word, definition, and an example sentence)
Solar System Vocabulary: Three-Column Note Examples
| Vocabulary Word | Denotation (Definition) | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Solar System | The collection of planets and other celestial bodies that orbit around the sun. | The eight planets in our solar system are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. |
| Orbit | The path an object takes as it revolves around another object in space. | The Earth completes one orbit around the sun in approximately 365 days. |
| Planet | A celestial body that orbits around a star, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbit of other debris. | The planet Mars has a reddish hue and is known as the "Red Planet." |
| Asteroid | A small, rocky object that orbits around the sun. | The asteroid belt is a region between Mars and Jupiter where many asteroids are found. |
| Comet | A celestial body that is made up of ice, dust, and gas and has a tail that glows as it approaches the sun. | Halley's Comet is a famous comet that is visible from Earth every 76 years. |
| Star | A massive, luminous ball of gas that produces its own light and heat through nuclear reactions. | The sun is the closest star to Earth and is the center of the solar system. |
| Galaxy | A collection of stars, dust, and gas held together by gravity. | The Milky Way is the galaxy in which our solar system is located. |
| Universe | All existing matter and space considered as a whole; everything that exists. | The universe is estimated to be approximately 13.8 billion years old. |
Note: Students can use this three-column note template to record and organize their learning of solar system vocabulary. The denotation column provides the definition of the vocabulary word, while the examples column gives context and application to the term.
Procedure:
Introduce the topic of the solar system and ask students what they already know about it. Use this as an opportunity to activate prior knowledge and build interest in the topic.
Provide each student with a copy of the vocabulary words with definitions and go over each word together as a class. Encourage students to ask questions if they are unsure of a definition.
Give each student a copy of the reading passage about the solar system. Ask them to read through the passage silently, underlining any words they are unfamiliar with.
As a class, go through the passage again and identify the tier 3 academic vocabulary words that are used. Write these words on the board and discuss their meanings.
Distribute the graphic organizer and have students complete it as they read through the passage again. In the "vocabulary word" column, they should write the tier 3 word they identified. In the "definition" column, they should write the definition from the list provided. In the "example sentence" column, they should write a sentence from the reading passage that uses the vocabulary word.
After students have completed the graphic organizer, have them share their sentences with a partner. Encourage students to ask questions and discuss any vocabulary words they are still unsure of.
Finally, ask students to write a short paragraph summarizing what they learned about the solar system from the reading passage. Encourage them to use the tier 3 vocabulary words they learned in their writing.
Assessment:
Assess students' understanding of tier 3 academic vocabulary by reviewing their completed graphic organizers and their written paragraphs. Additionally, observe students during class discussions and partner work to assess their ability to use the vocabulary words correctly in context.
The solar system is a fascinating and vast area of study that has intrigued scientists and curious minds for centuries. It consists of the sun, eight planets, dwarf planets, moons, and countless other celestial bodies such as asteroids and comets. Exploring the solar system has been an ongoing effort that has yielded a wealth of knowledge about our universe.
The sun is the center of the solar system and is an enormous, glowing ball of gas that provides the heat and light that sustains life on Earth. It is by far the largest object in the solar system, with a diameter of 1.39 million kilometers. The sun's energy is generated through nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process.
The eight planets that orbit the sun are divided into two groups: the four inner, or terrestrial, planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) and the four outer, or gas giant, planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune). The terrestrial planets are so named because they are composed of solid rock and metal. They are relatively small in size and have thin atmospheres. In contrast, the gas giant planets are much larger and are composed primarily of gas and ice. They have thick atmospheres and numerous moons.
Beyond the eight planets are numerous dwarf planets, including Pluto, which was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. There are also thousands of asteroids, which are small rocky objects that orbit the sun, and comets, which are made of ice and dust.
Exploring the solar system has been an ongoing effort for many years, and there have been several successful missions to explore the planets and other celestial bodies. The Voyager 1 and 2 missions, launched in 1977, explored the outer planets and provided valuable information about these distant worlds. The Mars Rover missions have provided detailed information about the red planet, including its geology, climate, and potential for supporting life. The New Horizons mission, launched in 2006, explored Pluto and its moons and provided the first detailed images of this distant world.
Studying the solar system is not just about satisfying our curiosity about the universe; it has practical applications as well. Understanding the solar system's formation and evolution can help us understand the origins of life on Earth and the potential for life on other planets. It can also help us understand the risks associated with asteroids and comets impacting the Earth and how to mitigate those risks.
In conclusion, exploring the solar system is a never-ending journey of discovery that has yielded a wealth of knowledge about our universe. From the enormous sun to the smallest asteroids, there is always something new to learn about this fascinating area of study. As we continue to explore and study the solar system, we gain a better understanding of our place in the universe and the potential for life beyond Earth.
Non-fiction Article about the Solar System using Tier 3 Vocabulary:
Tier 3 Reading Comprehension Vocabulary:
- Celestial: relating to the sky or outer space.
- Terrestrial: relating to the Earth or its inhabitants.
- Orbit: the path that a celestial object, such as a planet or moon, takes around another object.
- Gravity: the force that attracts two objects with mass towards each other.
- Revolution: the movement of one object around another object in a circular or elliptical path.
- Atmosphere: the layer of gases that surrounds a planet or other celestial body.
- Rotation: the spinning of an object around its own axis.
- Solar wind: a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun that travels through the solar system.
- Gas giant: a large planet, such as Jupiter or Saturn, that is composed primarily of gas and ice.
- Asteroid: a small rocky object that orbits the sun.
- Comet: a small celestial body made of ice, dust, and gas that orbits the sun.
- Spacecraft: a vehicle designed for travel in outer space.
The solar system is a complex and vast system that contains numerous celestial objects, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Each object in the solar system has unique characteristics that make it interesting and worthy of study.
One of the most significant objects in the solar system is the sun. It is a massive celestial body that emits light and heat that is essential for life on Earth. The sun's immense gravity holds the planets in their orbits and drives the solar wind that travels throughout the solar system.
The eight planets in the solar system are divided into two groups: the four inner, or terrestrial, planets and the four outer, or gas giant, planets. The terrestrial planets, including Earth, are small and rocky and have thin atmospheres. The gas giant planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn, are much larger and are composed mainly of gas and ice. They have thick atmospheres and numerous moons.
The movement of each object in the solar system is affected by gravity and other forces. The orbit of each planet is determined by its distance from the sun and its speed. Revolution refers to the movement of a celestial object around another object in a circular or elliptical path. Rotation, on the other hand, refers to the spinning of an object around its own axis.
The solar system is also home to numerous asteroids and comets. Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the sun, while comets are made of ice, dust, and gas. Spacecraft such as the Voyager 1 and 2 missions, have explored these objects and provided valuable information about their composition and characteristics.
In conclusion, the solar system is a fascinating and complex system that is made up of numerous celestial objects. From the massive sun to the smallest asteroid, each object in the solar system has unique characteristics that make it worthy of study. Understanding the complex movements and forces that govern the solar system is essential for gaining a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.
Directions: Use the graphic organizer below to label and describe each planet in the solar system.
| Planet Name | Distance from the Sun | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | 36 million miles | The smallest planet in the solar system and closest to the sun. Has a rocky surface with extreme temperature changes. |
| Venus | 67 million miles | The second planet from the sun and known as the "sister planet" to Earth because of its similar size and composition. Has a thick atmosphere that traps heat, making it the hottest planet in the solar system. |
| Earth | 93 million miles | The third planet from the sun and the only known planet to support life. Has a diverse and complex ecosystem with a protective atmosphere and magnetic field. |
| Mars | 142 million miles | The fourth planet from the sun and known as the "red planet" due to its rusty appearance. Has a thin atmosphere and a cold, desert-like surface with evidence of water in the past. |
| Jupiter | 484 million miles | The largest planet in the solar system with a diameter 11 times that of Earth. Has a thick atmosphere with colorful bands and a famous "Great Red Spot" storm. Has at least 79 known moons. |
| Saturn | 886 million miles | The second-largest planet in the solar system and known for its iconic rings made up of ice and rock particles. Has at least 82 known moons. |
| Uranus | 1.8 billion miles | The seventh planet from the sun and known for its unusual tilt on its axis, causing it to rotate on its side. Has a thin atmosphere and at least 27 known moons. |
| Neptune | 2.8 billion miles | The eighth and farthest planet from the sun. Has a blue tint in its atmosphere and at least 14 known moons. |
Grading:
- 1 point for each correctly labeled planet name
- 1 point for each correctly listed distance from the sun
- 1 point for each accurate description of the planet's characteristics and features
Total possible points: 24
Note: You can adjust the grading criteria and point values based on the specific needs of your classroom and grade level.
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