Tuesday 12/18/18 Bell Ringer: Think back to what you know about classifying and the activity we did on Friday with classifying animals. What is the purpose of classifying? What is one tip you can follow to help you classify?

Why are the objects in our solar system different from each other? Big Question? Why are the objects in our solar system different from each other? We will focus first on the planets by examining their features and classifying them based on these features.

Planet Sorting Activity Purpose: Identify similarities and differences between the planets in our solar system. Use these similarities and differences to understand the formation of our Solar System. Direction: Use the planet data charts created by your group to identify features of the planets. You and a partner will classify and/or organize the planets according to different categories. When you record the name of the planet in the classification chart, also record the relevant data for that planet based on the feature by which you are categorizing. Ex. If categorizing by diameter of planet record the diameter.

Homework Reminder Read and do pages 110-115 Highlight while reading based on the following: Topic: How do scientists classify small objects in the solar system Main Ideas: Areas of the Solar System, Dwarf Planets, Comets, Asteroids, Meteoroids Supporting Details- you decide what to highlight based on topic and main idea.

Wednesday 12/19/18 Bell Ringer: Take out your Planet Sorting Activity Packet from yesterday. Review the chart for distance to the sun. Decide how you would sort the planets into two groups based on distance from the sun. What would you call the two groups and which planets would be in each group?

Make Your Own Categories - Directions For the next two categories, you and a partner will identify other types of data by which to classify the planets. Create the first new category with your partner and have it approved by your teacher before you start. Write the title of your category on the line Label the headings for each column based on how you will sort the planet. When you record the name of the planet in the classification chart, also record the relevant data for that planet based on the feature by which you are categorizing. You must use at least 3 planets to complete a category. And all planets must fit in one category. When prompted by your teacher you will be paired with a new partner and repeat this process for a new category.

Thursday 12/20/18 Bell Ringer: Review your planet sorting packet and the groupings you made yesterday. Do you see a pattern in the groupings? If so, what is it?

Patterns in the Planets of our Solar System How did you classify the planets? Do the classification groupings (all 4) show multiple similarities between a certain set of planets? If so, this would show there is a pattern within the solar system. How do the smaller objects in the solar system compare to the planets?

Small Objects in the Solar System Doodle Notes – Using the reading you did for homework (pgs. 110-115) complete the doodle notes page. In addition to the fill in the blanks you must color the info boxes, title of the text boxes and the objects. There are two other models to draw. We will do those together Orbit of a comet. Meteoroid entering Earth’s atmosphere.

Astronaut Textbook We are done using this textbook. Take it home, but do not throw it away. If you have missing work that requires the book you will not be able to make it up if you do not have your book.

Why are the objects in the solar system different from each other? Solar System Formation