Standard #: SC.8.E.5.3


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Distinguish the hierarchical relationships between planets and other astronomical bodies relative to solar system, galaxy, and universe, including distance, size, and composition.


General Information

Subject Area: Science
Grade: 8
Body of Knowledge: Earth and Space Science
Idea: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning
Big Idea: Earth in Space and Time - The origin and eventual fate of the Universe still remains one of the greatest questions in science. Gravity and energy influence the formation of galaxies, including our own Milky Way Galaxy, stars, the planetary systems, and Earth. Humankind’s need to explore continues to lead to the development of knowledge and understanding of the nature of the Universe.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes

Related Courses

Course Number1111 Course Title222
2002100: M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2002110: M/J Comprehensive Science 3, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001010: M/J Earth/Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001020: M/J Earth/Space Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7820017: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2002085: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 Accelerated Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001025: M/J STEM Astronomy and Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))


Related Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
SC.8.E.5.Pa.1 Recognize that the Moon is closer to Earth than the Sun.
SC.8.E.5.In.3 Identify Earth’s position in the Solar System, and its size relative to the Moon and Sun.
SC.8.E.5.Su.3 Identify that there are planets and moons in the Solar System.


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Where Should We Move? STEM Lesson Plan

Students will collect data to identify planet composition, average temperature, and the distance of some planets within the Milky Way Galaxy from the Sun. Students will complete two-way tables to make comparisons. Students will then analyze and interpret their data. Students will make inferences and justify their reasoning.

Earth Science

Students will understand relative distances between objects (planets, stars, and galaxies) in the universe. A light-year (also light year, symbol: ly) is a unit of length (distance), not time.

Asteroids In this lesson, students show and discuss that the planets' orbits follows a pattern, compare sizes of asteroids relative to the size of Earth and Earth's moon, make asteroid models, research impact craters, and discuss the likelihood and effects of an asteroid impact on Earth.
Designing a Scale Model of the Solar System In this lesson, students complete a paper model of the solar system that demonstrates both size and distance from the Sun.
Space Telescope: Optics and the EM Spectrum

In this MEA, students will:

  • identify and compare characteristics of the electromagnetic spectrum such as wavelength, frequency, and energy.
  • understand the benefits of studying astronomy using the electromagnetic spectrum and appreciate the amount of knowledge available through data and observations such as planetary images and satellite photographs.
  • assess the value of technology in science for such purposes as access to outer space and other remote locations, sample collection, measurement, data collection and storage, computation, and communication of information.
  • be able to describe the vast distances between objects in space using an understanding of light and how it travels.
  • be able to analyze scientific texts and support their findings with textual evidence.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Voyage Across the Universe

Learn about the variety and amazing features of our universe in this interactive tutorial. 

Unit/Lesson Sequence

Name Description
Lesson 1 Our Solar System This complete lesson culminates by having the students create a solar system catalog. It goes beyond the typical solar system brochure to include other components of our solar system.

Video/Audio/Animations

Name Description
What is a Planet?

This video provides a historical background about the definition of a planet and how different objects discovered in space were classified as planets or fir into a different category

Science Crossword Puzzles A collection of crossword puzzles that test the knowledge of students about some of the terms, processes, and classifications covered in science topics

Virtual Manipulative

Name Description
Scale of the Universe

This website allows you to zoom through the universe to compare the relative sizes of some common and uncommon things.

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Voyage Across the Universe:

Learn about the variety and amazing features of our universe in this interactive tutorial. 

Video/Audio/Animations

Name Description
What is a Planet?:

This video provides a historical background about the definition of a planet and how different objects discovered in space were classified as planets or fir into a different category

Science Crossword Puzzles: A collection of crossword puzzles that test the knowledge of students about some of the terms, processes, and classifications covered in science topics


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