Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free
Planetary Distances on the Playground Lesson PlanPlanetary Distances on the Playground Lesson Plan
Publisher
University of Colorado
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 8th
Subjects
Science
1 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audiences
For Teacher Use
1 more...
Duration
45 mins
Instructional Strategy
Hands-on Activity
Usage Permissions
Fine Print
Lesson Plan

Planetary Distances on the Playground

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Planetary Distances on the Playground lesson plan also includes:
  • Scope and Sequence
  • Standards Alignment
  • Activity
  • Worksheet
  • Join to access all included materials

Earth is 149,600,000 km, or 92,957,130.4 miles, from the sun. Young astronauts create an interactive model to learn the distances between planets. Nine groups, each representing a different planet, are spread around at class-calculated intervals on a field or playground with signs representing their planets.

19 Views 10 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

planets, distance, scale models

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Have someone take a video, beginning at the sun and walking outward to Pluto to show the distances; show the video to each class

Classroom Considerations

  • Activity is also appropriate for elementary learners
  • Materials needed include a large area, such as a field or playground
  • 16th in a series of 22 space-related activities 

Pros

  • Activity is simple and requires few materials
  • Individuals are outside, engaged with their groups

Cons

  • Does not provide reference material containing all of the distance information needed; teachers can probably find this online

Common Core

RST.6-8.3

View 33,836 other resources for 6th - 8th Grade Science

© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use