RILINK Schools: Grade 5 Planets: Home

Research Assignment

Use books and approved websites to find information about your planet in our solar system. Be sure to use your graphic organizer to find the following information:

Planet Name
Symbol
Distance from the Sun in MIles
Two nearest neighbors
Moons
Period of Revolution around the Sun (in Earth Years)
Atmosphere (weather, clouds, storms, etc.)
Surface (hills, valleys, craters, mountains, etc.)
Temperature range
Inner Planet of Outer Planet
Terrestrial Planet or Gas Giant
Your weight on Earth and on your planet
Other interesting facts

Books from Our Catalog

Mercury by Elaine Landau
Call Number: 523.41 LAN
Uses photographs and other recent findings to describe the atmosphere and geographic features of Mercury.
Venus by Larry Dane Brimner
Call Number: 523.41 BRI
Describes the orbit, rotation, temperature, and surface formations of the planet Mercury and the probe Mariner X that took pictures of it in 1974 and 1975. This book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites.

Look for planet books in 523. 3, 523.4 and 525 in the E-Nonfiction and Nonfiction sections of our library. Use our library catalog to locate your subject. Here's a few titles to get you started.

Mercury and Venus by World Book (Contribution by)
Call Number: 523.41 MER
Introduction to Mars and Venus, provides information on their features and exploration. Includes fun facts, glossary, resource list and index.
Earth by Larry Dane Brimner
Call Number: 525 BRI
Describes the planet Earth, exploring its composition, early ideas about its shape and position in the solar system, current theories about its creation, and its important relationship with the moon.
Mars by Elaine Landau
Call Number: 523.43 LAN
Uses photographs and other recent findings to describe the atmosphere and geographic features of Mars. New center-spread "sidebar" feature presents material in a fun, creative way. Index makes navigating subject matter easy.
Jupiter by Elaine Landau
Call Number: 523.45 LAN
Uses photographs and other recent findings to describe the atmosphere and geographic features of Jupiter.
Saturn by Elaine Landau
Call Number: 523.46 LAN
Uses photographs and other recent findings to describe the atmosphere and geographic features of Saturn.
Uranus by Elaine Landau
Call Number: 523.47 LAN
Uses photographs and other recent findings to describe the atmosphere and geographic features of Uranus.
Neptune by Elaine Landau
Call Number: 523.48 LAN
Explores Neptune's size, distance from Earth, atmosphere, moons, and rings, as well as the history of study of the planet. Index makes navigating subject matter easy
Pluto by Elaine Landau
Call Number: 523.48 LAN
Provides facts about Pluto, looking at where it is located in the solar system, discussing its unique qualities, explaining why it was reclassified from planet to ice dwarf, examining Pluto's moons, and describing the mission that is expected to provide the first photographs of Pluto.
Neptune and the Distant Dwarf Planets by World Book (Contribution by)
Call Number: 523.48 NEP
Introduction to Neptune and the distant dwarf planets, providing to primary and intermediate grade students information on their features and exploration. Includes fun facts, glossary, resource list and index.

Credit

The book descriptions on this page are provided by the Follett Catalog Software Company.

Our Solar System

http://scienceclass.ning.com

Websites

NASA
This site from NASA has current information on all the planets. Use the menu bar on the left and click on your planet. You'll find facts, photos, videos and other resources. Check out the 3D exploration.
Air and Space Museum
Visit the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum site, Exploring the Planets: Our Solar System. Click on the planet link to access information. Discover surface features and planetary characteristics.
Star Child: The Planets and Dwarf Planets
Look at the table of Inner Planets, Outer Planets and Dwarf Planets. Click on your planet to read basic information and view images. View the planet's symbol. Scroll down the page to click the button "The Facts" and "Did You Know." There is a Level 1 version which may be easier to read.
National Geographic: Planets
Click on your planet to find more information. Check out the interactive feature.
Nine Planets
Scroll to find your planet. There's history, mythology and information about each planet and the moons.
Planet Size Comparison
Compare the size of any two planets. Be sure to change the unit of measure to "miles."
Your Weight on Other Worlds
Find out how much you weigh on each planet by typing in your weight on Earth.
Astronomy for Kids
Click on the links to learn about the planets and their moons.

World Book Student

World Book Student
Type the name of your planet in the search box. Choose the best article to continue your research.