“The Little Star That Could”
Compare and Contrast Planets and Stars
Adapted for TCSS from ”The Little Star That Could”, Written by Kim Small
Objectives: Students will list characteristics of stars and planets. Students will be able to identify five characteristics of planets and stars (each) that are different from one another. Students will be able to identify five characteristics that are similar between planets and stars.
Procedures:
1. Explore prior knowledge – Give each student a “Compare and Contrast Planets and Stars” worksheet. Ask them each to fill out the worksheet independently for 5 -7 minutes. They should write down as many characteristics as they can in each of the columns on the worksheet.
2. Cooperative sharing – Separate students into groups of 2 or 3. Students should share their answers with the other members of their groups. Students should add any new information that they learned from another group member to their worksheet.
3. Determine student confidence with prior knowledge – By looking at the groups’ worksheets, determine the approximate number of correct answers they have listed in each column.
4. Create a master Compare and Contrast worksheet – Have each group report their answers to the class. Record all correct characteristics on the master. Have students include all of the class answers on their worksheet.
Assessment: Students will independently fill out the assessment worksheet.
Name ______
“The Little Star That Could”
Planets / Planets and Stars / StarsCompare and Contrast Planets and Stars
“The Little Star That Could”
Compare and Contrast Planets and Stars Answer Key Sample
*Student answers to do not need to include all facts but should reflect appearance, position, and number in the night sky.
For a comparison of planets to stars in regard to appearance, both planets and stars look like points of light in the night sky, because they are so far away. When viewed through a telescope or binoculars, planets are not as bright as stars. In addition, planets appear as disks, whereas, stars look like fuzzy lights.
When a comparison of the actual sizes and compositions of planets and stars is made, many differences exist. Planets are much smaller than stars. In regard to composition, planets are made of substances which reflect sunlight, whereas, stars consist of hot gases which produce light.
For a comparison of planets to stars in regard to position, planets appear to change their positions in relation to the stars, whereas, stars appear to remain in fixed positions in relation to each other.
For a comparison of planets to stars in regard to number, planets and stars in the night sky appear quite different; only a few planets, but many stars, can be seen.
Because stars are so far away from us, changes in their positions are barely noticeable; thus, constellations appear to remain the same. Planets are closer to us than stars and the planets are in constant motion as they orbit the sun; therefore, they can be seen in different locations in the night sky in relation to the constellations.