Planets Beyond

Planets Beyond lesson plan

Shapes go up in space as you create your own solar system of squares, circles, triangles, and more.

  • 1.

    Review the names and characteristics of geometric shapes. On pictures or models of the solar system, locate Earth, the sun, and other planets. Discuss the movement of planets around the sun, as well as the concepts of atmosphere, gravity, and orbit. Find out how Galileo Galilei (who was born on February 15, 1564) helped prove Copernicus's theory that planets revolve around our sun.

  • 2.

    Cover a table with recycled newspaper. On white paper with Crayola® Washable Markers, design an imaginary solar system drawing geometric shapes as the planets, stars, and spaceships.

  • 3.

    Color in the planets with Crayola Washable Markers. Dip a Crayola Paint Brush in water then blend the marker colors together, creating a watercolor effect. Dry flat.

  • 4.

    Add outlines and details to your planets, stars, and spaceships with markers.

Benefits

  • Children recognize basic geometric shapes.
  • Students research the positions of planets in our solar system and find information on early theories about the location of planets and the sun.
  • Children visualize planets as they might appear in an imaginary solar system and create original works of art based upon their knowledge.

Adaptations

  • Create an interplanetary mobile. Draw several individual planets on cardboard. Cut them out and paint. Dry. Color and paint the back side and dry. Use yarn to suspend planets from a recycled clothes hanger bent into an interesting shape.
  • Draw one planet with inhabitants, plants, and structures. Use Crayola Fine Tip Markers for details. Create a character from your imagination to place in this environment.
  • Research different theories about the relative locations and distances between planets, the sun, and stars in our solar system. What are astronomers still discovering about space?
  • Younger children and special needs students may benefit from short practice session experimenting with wet marker techniques before creating their final project.