5th Grade Astronomy Unit Blueprint
Pacing Suggestions:
Day 1—Activity 7
Day 2—Toilet Paper Model
| Teacher Resources: | |
 Tips |
 Toilet Paper Scale Model of the Solar System Adobe® Reader® (PDF) Toilet Paper Scale Model of the Solar System (Microsoft Word Format) |
What are models?
Why are models used in science?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the models used to illustrate the relative distances of the planets?
11B(3-5)#2: Geometric figures, number sequences, graphs, diagrams, sketches, number lines, maps, and stories can be used to represent objects, events, and processes in the real world, although such representations can never be exact in every detail.
4A(3-5)#4: The earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun, and the moon orbits around the earth.
Students' toilet paper models and class discussion about models
Activity Sheet 7Toilet Paper Scale Model of the Solar System worksheet (Questions 2 & 3 only)
Toilet Paper Model Worksheet (Questions 1 & 2):
- Do the students understand how the toilet paper model is like the real thing (it represents relative distance of the planets)?
- Do students understand how the model is different from the real thing? (Examples: it doesn't show relative size of planets--they are all dots; it has all planets lined up on one side of sun--some students won't know this and will learn about this in later lessons; and it's two dimensional.)
1. For conceptual benchmarks.
2. Bolded sections indicate portion of benchmark addressed
3. Unless noted as a Summative Assessment, the assessments are formative and should be used to guide teaching and learning.