Sqworl Page of Student Links

Here is a collection of student links chosen from the sites below. 

World Book for Kids

WBFK has links for solar system, sun, moon, and each of the planets.

NASA Starchild Space Stuff

This section of the NASA website presents information about the solar system  Information is presented in two different levels of difficulty, and the level 1 site includes audio support.  The main Starchild site includes links to similar sections on the Space Stuff and the Universe.  This appears to be an older section of the NASA website but the information is presented very simply. 

The 9 Planets for Kids

Kid-friendly version of the original 9 Planets site.  This website is written at a simpler reading level but may still be challenging for grade 3.

WikiJunior Books:  Solar System

The free book on the solar system can be read online or downloaded.  The reading level may be challenging for grade 3, but the sections all follow the same pattern in providing information about the planets.  The downloadable .pdf version could be imported to Kurzweil for assistance in reading.

Mars Exploration Symbol Story

There is a printable story with picture support about future Mars exploration at Symbol World.  Other stories include UFO's, New Planet Discovered, Planet Like Earth,

Your Weight in Space

NASA calculator figures your weight on different planets. 

Planetary Puzzles

NASA page hosts a large assortment of space-related online jigsaw puzzles at various levels of difficulty.  Several feature pictures of the planets.

Study Jams

Scholastic Study Jams has slideshow presentations on the inner and outer planets of the solar system and the moon and videos about gravity, earth, and universe.  The slideshow presentations can be printed, and the video presentations have excellent information and graphics with very engaging teenaged cartoon hosts.  Both videos and slideshows also contain interactive quizzes.

NASA Extreme Planet Makeover

Interactive website lets you create your own planet by adjusting its distance from the star, type of star, size, etc.  Your planet can be printed.  Information in pop-ups describes how your choices would affect the planet's ability to support life. The reading would be challenging for grade 3 so might work best as a class activity or buddy work with an older class.

Planets

This outstanding interactive site explores the planets and their orbits.  The visuals are easy enough for grade 3 to understand but older students will appreciate the concepts presented.  Retrograde motion will likely be confusing so stick to the first few screens but manipulate the controls on the left to change the view.

Recommended for use on the SMARTBoard by James Hollis of Teachers Love SMARTBoards.

NASA Images

Great collection of public domain photos and short video clips on space related topics.

Link repaired Feb 2014

Neok12 Video Collection

The Neok12 page on the solar system includes a collection of  24 videos.  The Neok12 website also has separate pages for 11 space-related topics including moon and exoplanets.

Solar System

This Clicker gridset contains a Read and Write activity designed to address grade 3 plo.  Developed by Kathy Ryan.

Solar System Learn and Label

This Clicker gridset teaches students about the names of the planets and provides a labelling activity.  Created to address grade 3 plos by Kathy Ryan.

Solar System Description

In this Clicker gridset students learn about the 9 planets, their characteristics and movement in the solar system.  Created to address grade 3 plos by Kathy Ryan. 

Pictures and Pages

Search the Notebook Gallery for "solar system" to find a folder which contains pictures of all of the planets.  There are also 2 pages that show relative planet sizes and the planets in orbit in the solar system. 

Lessons

A search at the Activity Exchange for "solar system" lessons at the grade 3 level returned 35 results.  You can preview these lessons online before downloading.  Several of these lessons are Notebook Created, ensuring good quality.