THE SOLAR SYSTEM:
PLUTO THE DWARF

FORMER PLANET PLUTO LESSON

Directions:

Print the Pluto the Dwarf reading comprehension passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the passage silently, then answer the questions.  Teachers may also use the text as part of a classroom lesson plan.

Lesson Excerpt

   Pluto used to be called the ninth planet of our solar system.  In the summer of 2006, scientists of the International Astronomical Union, or IAU, met to discuss a change.  There were several reasons why calling Pluto a planet seemed wrong.

     First, Pluto is much smaller than any other planet.  It's less than half the size of Mercury, the smallest planet of all.  Also, Pluto did not follow the pattern the other planets followed.  The first four planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) are called rocky or terrestrial planets.  They have solid surfaces with metal cores.  They have rocks and dust on their surfaces.  The next four planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) are called the gas giants.  They are much larger than the first four planets.  They do not have solid surfaces.

Continued...