Virginia SOL 4.5

4.5 is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• 4.5.a

  planets rotate on their axes and revolve around the sun

• 4.5.b

  planets have characteristics and a specific order in the solar system

• 4.5.c

  the sizes of the sun and planets can be compared to one another.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students model how planets spin on an axis and travel around the sun. They identify planet order and characteristics, then compare the relative sizes of the sun and planets.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can place all eight planets in order and describe at least one characteristic of each. The student can distinguish rotation from revolution and make accurate size comparisons.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students often swap rotation and revolution or think planets stop spinning while orbiting. They may treat diagram sizes and spacing as accurate, include Pluto among the eight planets, or confuse moons with planets.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: List the planets in order from the sun, define rotation and revolution with arrows, and rank Earth, Jupiter, and the sun by size.

1. 01

   In groups, use a lamp and one foam ball to act out rotation and revolution, then label the path and axis.

2. 02

   Write: Why can a planet have a day and a year at the same time? Use rotation and revolution in your answer.

3. 03

   Give teams planet cards with names, pictures, and traits, then race to place all eight in order from the sun.

4. 04

   Use NASA planet fact sheets to choose a robotic mission destination and justify it with two planetary characteristics.

• 6.2

  The student will investigate and understand that the solar system is organized and the various bodies in the solar system interact. Key ideas include

• 6.3

  The student will investigate and understand that there is a relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon. Key ideas include

• 1.6

  The student will investigate and understand that there is a relationship between the sun and Earth. Key ideas include

• 4.6

  The student will investigate and understand that there are relationships among Earth, the moon, and the sun. Key relationships include