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Solar System and Beyond

Grades 3 - 5

Starting with our planet, which is “just right” for life as we know it, take a journey through the solar system and outward to the stars. Guide students through an exciting exploration of the planets and beyond wrapped up in 5E lesson plans where students investigate through active learning, then discover what we know about the solar system and beyond and how we know it.

Leveled Readers are available in four Lexile Measures, distinguished by a color key on the back of each reader.

Lexile Levels
Blue
 Lexile Measure Range 900-1050
Purple
 Lexile Measure Range 750-900
Red
 Lexile Measure Range 600-750
Yellow
 Lexile Measure Range 450-600

Driving Question

How do processes deep inside Earth cause the landforms and movements of Earth’s crust?

Anchor Phenomenon

How do we know about the make up and size of the universe?

  Investigative Phenomena
–Focus Questions		 Real-World Phenomena
Lesson 1
Earth in Space		 Focus Question What are some effects of Earth’s motions and its place in space? Real-World Phenomena
  • Earth moves in regular patterns that result in day and night and seasons as well as conditions that favor life as we know it.
Lesson 2
Scale and Distance in Space		 Focus Question How can we understand the size of our solar system? Real-World Phenomena
  • Scale models show objects in proportion but are smaller or larger than the real thing.
Lesson 3
The Inner Planets		 Focus Question How do properties of the inner planets differ? Real-World Phenomena
  • The inner planets have different characteristics, in part due to their varying distances from the Sun.
Lesson 4
The Outer Planets		 Focus Question How do properties of the outer planets differ? Real-World Phenomena
  • The outer planets have different characteristics, in part due to their varying distances from the Sun.
Lesson 5
The Sun and Other Stars		 Focus Question What are stars and how do different star types compare? Real-World Phenomena
  • The brightness of light from stars depends on their size and distance from Earth.
Lesson 6
Constellations and Galaxies		 Focus Question What has been discovered about the universe? Real-World Phenomena
  • Stars and solar systems make up galaxies similar to our Milky Way, which, altogether, make up the universe.
Lesson 7
Studying the Universe		 Focus Question How and why has our understanding of our universe changed? Real-World Phenomena
  • The invention of the telescope launched an age of space exploration that continues today.

Name Item Number Unit Price Quantity
Solar System and Beyond Complete Kit 2004233 $599.00
Solar System and Beyond Refill Kit 2018739 $176.00
Solar System and Beyond Teacher Guide 2004211 $79.00
Solar System and Beyond Science Notebook, Pack of 4 2004229 $11.96
Solar System and Beyond Blue Reader, Pack of 4 2004217 $23.80
Solar System and Beyond Purple Reader, Pack of 4 2004218 $23.80
Solar System and Beyond Red Reader, Pack of 4 2004219 $23.80
Solar System and Beyond Yellow Reader, Pack of 4 2004214 $23.80
Solar System and Beyond Reader Sample Pack of 4 (1 of each Lexile Level) 2013400 $23.80