Lesson 8: A Tour of the Solar System

Textbook:

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Introduction:

These lessons are geared for younger students. Many lessons will, however, include activities for the older student. Parents/teachers will easily find the answers to questions in the text, and should prepare themselves by reading the stated pages prior to having the student read the weekly assignment. If a child is not able to read yet, parents may wish to read the text to the student.

Read:

Pages 36-37, 44-49

Scripture:

Isaiah 45:18
Genesis 1

Questions to answer:

1. Memorize the names of the known planets in our solar system.
2. What makes Earth different from all the other planets?
3. On what day of Creation week were the planets (other than Earth) created?
4. Name at least four things that make Earth unique among the planets (e.g. distance from the Sun, the ability to support life, water, time of creation). Why are these factors important?
5. Write a paragraph about why God made other planets.
6. Which two planets are closer to the Sun than Earth?
7. Why is Venus hotter than Mercury?
8. What color does Mars appear in the sky?
9. What is the biggest planet?
10. Saturn is know as the '______ ______.'
11. Name at least two things that Jupiter and Saturn have in common.
12. Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto are the last three planets discussed in the text. Be sure to add some characteristics to the activities chart (below) about these three planets.

Words to know:

Retrograde (p. 44)
prograde (p. 44)
nebular hypothesis (p. 43)
axis - degree of tilt

Additional articles:

How old are Saturn's rings?

Revelations in our Solar System

Moving with the Planets

NOTE: Parents/teachers may wish to read these articles and summarize them for younger students.

Activity:

Make a chart listing all the planets. For each planet list at least two significant details. Children may wish to draw the planets (as seen on page 36 and 37) as well. Examples of significant details could be how the planet appears in the sky, or how hot it is, what its 'atmosphere' is made up of, etc. Be creative!

Addtional resource:

The book, Voyage to the Planets (right), gives copious amounts of information about the planets.