Unit: Solar System

Lauren Kaputa
Dr. Bonnie Ordonez
SED 223 02
10 October 2016
Primary Source Documents
1. NASA
NASAs website offers extensive information on topics that are
space related. Individuals can view information about different aspects of
astronomy such as history of the solar system, space missions, and galleries of
pictures and videos that capture moon landings and launches. Navigating through
with an adult would be most beneficial in my opinion. I plan on utilizing this
website for my unit by drawing special attention to the Apollo 11 moon landing.
While exploring the solar system, I would like children to gain knowledge on
what planets have been visited by humans. By examining this portion of the
website students receive concrete details on this visit rather than just common
knowledge. Specific dates of departure and full names are given, as well as
photographs and videos that display the moonwalk. This segment of the website
shows how significant this landing mission was in history.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html
2.

NASA Space Place

NASAS Space Place offers a variety of information that is easy
for students to navigate through independently. Colorful tabs are provided that
display different topics such as specific planets, the universe as a whole, and
science related quizzes to test students knowledge. I plan on incorporating this
website in my unit by focusing on what is in outer space, and how big it truly is.
Students can learn what is in space by clicking through a virtual book that
describes all the elements in outer space and how some can be viewed through a
telescope. At the end of each selection, there are craft projects students can create
to represent what they have read and seen.
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/story-whats-in-space/en/

3. cK-12
cK-12 supplies students information regarding inner and outer
planets. The site speaks directly on each category of planets by defining them and
offering a large diagram that displays them according to size. Students can
explore the site independently or with an adult. Other information is also included
such as what the planets are made of and different names they go by. At the end of
the site, a review is supplied to test the students knowledge after reading. An

Unit: Solar System

alternative link is also given that allows students to watch a video that explores
inner and outer planets while discussing key points like location. I plan on using
this in my unit as a tool to see if students can differentiate between the two planet
classes and understand the properties each planet holds.
http://www.ck12.org/earth-science/Inner-versus-OuterPlanets/lesson/Inner-versus-Outer-Planets-HS-ES/
(Alternative Link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1_oHcMXFC18