Georgia S6E1.c
The Standard
Analyze and interpret data to compare and contrast the planets in our solar system in terms of: * size relative to Earth, * surface and atmospheric features, * relative distance from the sun, and * ability to support life.
Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science · Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about current scientific views of the universe and how those views evolved.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students read tables, graphs, images, and planet profiles, then compare planets using Earth as a reference. They use evidence to explain patterns in size, distance, surfaces, atmospheres, and habitability.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can accurately rank planets by distance and relative size, and distinguish rocky surfaces from gas or ice giant atmospheres. They can cite multiple data points to support a careful claim about whether known life could survive there.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often think planets are evenly spaced, diagrams are drawn to scale, or larger planets are always farther from the Sun. They may call cloud tops a solid surface or assume liquid water or oxygen alone proves a planet supports life.
How to Assess It
- Give students a data table for Venus and Mars showing diameter, solar distance, surface, atmosphere, and temperature. Ask, "Which is more Earthlike, and which conditions limit life? Cite three data points."
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups planet fact cards and a blank solar system strip; students place the cards, sort by size, and add surface and atmosphere notes.
Ask, "Is Mars or Venus more likely to support familiar life?" Students write a claim and defend it with three data points.
Play Planet Who Am I: read clues about diameter, distance, surface, and atmosphere while teams identify the planet and explain each choice.
Have students choose a NASA probe destination from three planet data sheets, then justify the choice using possible life signs and travel distance.
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Printable S6E1.c Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to S6E1.c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- S6E4.a
Analyze and interpret data to compare and contrast the composition of Earth's atmospheric layers (including the ozone layer) and greenhouse gases.
- S4E1.c
Construct an explanation of the differences between stars and planets.
- S4E1.d
Evaluate strengths and limitations of models of our solar system in describing relative size, order, appearance and composition of planets and the sun.
- S4E1
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars and planets.
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