Today’s Walking Classroom podcast focuses on suns, stars, and galaxies. A star is a large ball of burning gas that gives off heat, light, and radiation. There are different types of stars categorized by their size and age. Groups of stars are known as galaxies. Our sun is the closest star to the planet Earth. The Earth, as well as all the other objects in our solar system, orbit around the Sun. Energy from the Sun is the basis for all life on our planet.
Character Value: Patience
Click for Standards Alignment
Common Core
L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
RST.6-8.4
Next Generation Science Standards
PS–Physical Science | LS–Life Science | ESS–Earth and Space Science | ETS–Engineering, Technology and the Application of Science Elementary School: 5-ESS1-1, 5-ESS1-2, 5-PS2-1Middle School: MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-PS2-4
Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads
Quiz: (Make sure you're already logged into your Gmail account, then click to copy this Google form to your Google Drive. Quiz keys are here.)
Sun, Stars, and Galaxies Google Quiz
Slide Deck:
Sun, Stars, and Galaxies Slide Deck
Explains how scientists discover faraway stars and galaxies.
Describes a space mission studying how the solar system formed.
Describes a powerful telescope in the Atacama Desert, Chile, that takes pictures other telescopes cannot.
Explore over 60,000 stars, locate planets, and watch sunrises and solar eclipses.
Explore the solar system with these interactive learning games from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Create a model spacecraft in this engineering project from the International Technology Education Association (ITEA).
Test knowledge of the planets by solving the riddles in this free printable from Super Teacher Worksheets.
Discover facts about the solar system with this free scavenger hunt from Super Teacher Worksheets.