Bookmark Collection

W4 assignment Topic: Solar Systems - copy

The resources would be for a middle school science class. They could be used to support the teacher's lessons or mini lectures as a way to potray and educate students about the topic through a differing type of format. It is able to support students through the UDL as it allows all students to engage with content in unique and differing types of ways that are not the traditional type of lecture. These resources are used to support learning.

Date Added to MERLOT:

February 18, 2026

Created by:

Jasmin Floees

License:

Derived from

Collection Content

Solar System Exploration (Reference Material)

This website focuses on an overview of the solar system as it can be used to guide students through the overall main... More

This website focuses on an overview of the solar system as it can be used to guide students through the overall main ideas of the solar system. The source appears to be credible considering how it was created by NASA. The resource is considered to be appropriate for a middle school audience since the information is still understandable for a younger audience group. I believe that this can instructionally be used as an introduction activity where students explore through the website and write down what topics seem interesting and what stand out to them. Since the website includes a large amount of visuals and videos, I think this would help engage students who might have reading difficulties or challenges that English learners might have. This is important for these types of student since visuals are more of a universal language that most students can process.
Solar System (Simulation)

The website is a simulation of the solar system that is able to display and show students the overall movements and... More

The website is a simulation of the solar system that is able to display and show students the overall movements and layout of the solar system. This is also suitable for a middle school audience since the simulation is interactive as it allows students to click on the planets in the solar system in order to receive and gain more information about what students are observing in the simulation. The additional information was able to tell students about the main features associated with the planets as well as information regarding their orbits in the solar system. I think this resource would help accommodate English language learners as well as those who prefer a visual representation of what makes up the solar system. This method of learning allows students to be the center of focus in which students are given the ability to explore each component of the solar system at their own pace rather than feeling overwhelmed. This is specifically important for students as they are the main focus in the learning process and they get to experience the simulation and make observations on their own.
NASA RESOURCE DRIVEN INSTRUCTION: NINE PLANETS (NOW EIGHT PLANETS) (Collection)

I thought the website was very informational and is easy to understand for a middle school age group. This is because... More

I thought the website was very informational and is easy to understand for a middle school age group. This is because the writing is written in a way that is straightforward and not too complex for younger audiences. The website also provides a lot of images of what is being discussed which can help those who might have issues with English language comprehension. Another reason why this website might be useful for teachers and students would be due to how the website includes a large amount of additional links towards differing types of websites, providing readers the resources to explore a topic in more detail. This connects to UDL as it is able to apply unknown materials to students in a way that can be more understandable.The format of adding other modes of instruction can help some students who process information better when they are able to read the words and process at their own pace rather than solely relying on the lecture.
Phases of the moon (Learning Object Repository)

This website shows students the differing phases of the moon through an online animation. I believe that this would be... More

This website shows students the differing phases of the moon through an online animation. I believe that this would be another resource that can be used for multilingual students, as well as those who engage with the course material through visuals. This is able to help students with understanding a teacher’s explanation of the moon phase shifting. It can help students visually match the terminology to the appropriate visualization after the teacher explains the concepts of phases and the reasoning behind it for a middle school audience. It allows students to see the phases themselves and can make a greater association on their own rather than passively learning. It is also interesting to see the other topics and concepts related to the moon on the website such as the craters, eclipses, and tides.
The Best of the Hubble Space Telescope (Reference Material)

This website shows images that were taken by the Hubble telescope of things that were found in the solar system as well... More

This website shows images that were taken by the Hubble telescope of things that were found in the solar system as well as other features beyond the solar system. I believe that this brings additional engagement and interests for students since the images are real images that are being captured, emphasizing the advancements of technology. I believe that this would be beneficial for students who might need real life examples and connections to what they are learning. I also believe that they will want to learn more about the planets and space in general if they can visually see what they are studying as some might have never seen the previous images. The pictures are able to help students who are English language learners as well as all students to visualize what they are learning and the level of detail and work that it takes for scientists to capture these images. I think this would be great to use when the teacher is discussing space technology or planets in general. This would also be good for a middle school audience, especially for an exploration type of activity where students can draw what they see.
CSUB NASA 2008 Getting Started in Mars Exploration (Reference Material)

I thought this was an extremely interactive activity for students. This is because the website is able to provide... More

I thought this was an extremely interactive activity for students. This is because the website is able to provide instructions for the teacher to create an interactive lesson for students relating to the geographic features that have been found on mars. The website provides different lesson activities focusing on different aspects of mars. Students are then given opportunities to investigate and answer questions relating to features such as craters, valleys, and atmospheres. The teacher would then use these photos to guide students through the respective activity, allowing students to discuss a certain idea or question with their peers. This is especially useful for teachers teaching middle school as the website provides images and lesson plans that teachers can use in their own classroom. It follows UDL since it is able to allow students to critically think and be able to think like scientists to answer the essential question. It provides connections for students to be able to compare and contrast the features of mars to the features found on earth. Students are also provided and given opportunities to collaborate with their peers to discuss their findings. The interactive activities also allow for engagement and can keep students intrigued.