We Love
Our Planet

LEARN

Student Learning Standards by State
New Jersey

Objective: to learn that Earth is a planet in our solar system; that it is the only planet that gives us what we need to live; and how we can represent Earth with colors, shapes, and sizes

Vocabulary: Earth

Reading: Here We Are

Science Activity: Colors of Earth

Earth Friends Lesson

Module 1: Lesson 1

Begin Lesson

move: 8 minutes

Our Solar System

This is a repeated activity with ASL signs that describe a feature of each planet. If you repeat Our Solar System during each lesson of Module 1, the repetition will help the children learn that Earth is a planet in our solar system, and it is special because it supports life. We live on Earth!

We are going to learn about the different planets in our solar system. Every planet is special in its own way, and we are going to pretend to be the planets moving around the sun.

SUN: Our Sun gives us light during the day and all the energy we need to live. Make a C-motion away from forehead with right hand.
MERCURY: Mercury is the smallest planet. Squeeze 2 fingers together to indicate tiny.
VENUS: Venus is the brightest planet. Use 2 hands to fan out from center.
EARTH: Earth is our home and the only planet that supports life. Cross arms in front of chest for hug.
MARS: Mars has the biggest volcano. Form a triangle with index fingers and then make an explosion sign with right hand.
JUPITER: Jupiter is the biggest planet. Move hands apart from center.
SATURN: Saturn is the planet with rings. Draw a ring around right hand with left.
URANUS: Uranus is the coldest planet. Shiver.
NEPTUNE: Neptune is the farthest away. Point far away with right index finger.

Use the photo book to
familiarize the children with
photos of the planets.

Curious Question

What makes Earth special?

Allow any answer from the children. Anything can be special to them.

Main Lesson

Earth is the only planet in our solar system where we humans, animals, and plants can live. This makes Earth very special. Earth is not too hot and not too cold. It's just right for life.

sit & learn: 5 minutes

Colors of Earth

Name something that is blue. Allow the children to name things they think are blue, either in the classroom or outside. When we look at Earth (our planet) from outer space we can see blue. That's the WATER.

Name something that is green. Allow the children to name things they think are green, either in the classroom or outside. When we look at Earth (our planet) from outer space we can see green. That's the LAND.

We need land to build our homes on and grow our food on. We need water to drink and to stay clean. We also need AIR. I wonder what color the air is... Allow the children to name different colors for air. We can't see the air, but we breathe the air to live. And it's full of clouds. Clouds make Earth look white from space. So does the snow on Earth.

Closing Sentiment

Earth is "just right," like "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." Earth is not too hot and not too cold for all the humans, animals, and plants to live.

move & engage: 7 minutes

Use the images in the photo book to reference the colors.

End Lesson

Teachers in the Classroom

Teacher Activity

Earth Friends Pendants

Using blue, green, and white non-toxic paint, let the children paint a pendant (made of salt dough) to look like Earth. Use twine or yarn to hang the pendants in the classroom when finished.

Salt Dough Recipe:

Mix 2 cups water + 1 cup salt + 1 cup water until a workable dough forms
Roll out dough to be ¼ in. thick
Using a cookie cutter or a clean tin can, cut out circles
Using a straw, poke a hole ¼ in. from the edge
Let pendants dry out over 2-3 days on a flat surface, flipping every 24 hours. Pendants should be dry to the touch and hard when ready.

(Makes 12-14 pendants, double recipe as needed.)

Option to prepare the dough outside of the classroom or include children in salt dough activity.

Throughout the Week

Discuss: that Earth is our home that everyone shares, even if you live in Rhode Island and your grandma lives in California.

Explore: other instances of Goldilocks "just right" in the classroom, such as: water temperature, balancing blocks, fitting shapes together, what fits in a box.

Create: a space in the classroom to hang the Earth Friends pendants.

Reading: Here We Are

Vocabulary: Earth

Good Choices

I can share.
When you feel like you can't share, take a big breath of air, or look down at your feet. Remember how we all share our air and our land here on Earth.
I can remember what we all share, even when I don't want to play together.

Vocabulary:

Earth: Earth is the only planet where we humans, animals, and plants can live. This makes Earth very special. Earth is not too hot and not too cold. It's just right for life.

Families at Home

Discuss: We learned that everyone shares a home on Earth. Talk with your child about who you live with and where you live. You can talk about any city or state or country. You can talk about your neighborhood. Talk about where different people you love live, both close and far away. This helps your child understand we all have different homes all over Earth.

Visit: We learned that on Earth water and land are connected and there is air everywhere. Visit a local body of water near you, such as an ocean, a river, or lake, or stream, and see what land it connects to.

Explore: We learned that the temperature of Earth is just right, and that is why we can live on this planet. You can explore Goldilocks "just right" in many ways throughout your home, such as bath or shower water temperature (too hot or too cold) or food on a plate (too much or too little).

Module 1: Learn

We Love
Our Planet