Solar System Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie:

What do you think you’ll learn about the solar system in this movie? (Predict)

What is something new you hope to learn about the solar system? (Set goals)

During the Movie (Pause Points):

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 1:12: Why did Earth become an inner planet? (Identify cause/effect)

Timecode 2:28: What can you infer about the temperature on Mars compared to Earth? (Compare/contrast; Make inferences)

Timecode 4:00: Why might the outer planets have many more moons orbiting them than the inner planets?  (Compare/contrast; Draw conclusions)

After the Movie:

Look at the four related movies at the bottom of the page. Explain how each is connected to the Solar System topic. (Make connections)

How does its distance from the Sun affect each planet in the Solar System? (Apply new knowledge; Identify cause/effect)

BrainPOP recommends reading  the movie description that appears on the Solar System Topic Page to your class. Then show the movie once through without pausing.  Watch it again, this time using the discussion prompts.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.