Virginia SOL 6.2

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

• 6.2.a

  matter is distributed throughout the solar system

• 6.2.b

  planets have different sizes and orbit at different distances from the sun

• 6.2.c

  gravity contributes to orbital motion

• 6.2.d

  the understanding of the solar system has developed over time.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students identify the major bodies and matter found across the solar system. They compare planet sizes and distances from the Sun using data and models. They explain orbital motion and describe how new evidence changed earlier models.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students can order planets by diameter and average distance from the Sun. They can classify moons, asteroids, comets, dust, and gas. They can explain an orbit using gravity and forward motion, then cite evidence that revised earlier ideas.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students often treat textbook diagrams as accurate scales and assume planets are evenly spaced. They may think gravity pushes planets around the Sun or that orbiting objects have no forward motion. Some think scientific models change because of opinion rather than new evidence.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Draw the Sun, Earth, Jupiter, and the asteroid belt with correct order and relative size. Add arrows showing Earth's motion and the Sun's gravitational pull, then name one observation that changed an earlier model.

1. 01

   Use clay to build planet-size models, then place labeled cards along a measured hallway using a separate distance scale.

2. 02

   Discuss: If the Sun's gravity pulls Earth inward, why does Earth not fall straight into the Sun?

3. 03

   Race teams to sort cards for planets, moons, asteroids, comets, dust, and gas by type, location, and composition clues.

4. 04

   Compare early telescope sketches of Jupiter's moons with current NASA images, then explain how better tools changed solar system models.

• 4.5

  The student will investigate and understand that the planets have characteristics and a specific place in the solar system. 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