2-Day, Emergency Solar System Sub Plans – No Prep 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Astronomy Activities and Worksheets.

Need to be away from your classroom but still want your students to continue learning meaningful science content?

This print-and-go AND fully digital 2-day Emergency Sub Plan allows your students to begin or continue learning about Our Solar System while you're away — with absolutely NO PREP required from you OR your substitute teacher.

Why Teachers Love This Resource

✔ No Prep for you or the substitute

✔ Students continue learning meaningful science content while you're away

✔ Fun and engaging astronomy-themed activities

✔ 2 full days of structured lesson plans - use 1 or 2 days

✔ Extension Activities for Early Finishers

✔ Fully digital AND print versions included

✔ Independent student-friendly format

✔ Perfect for emergency sub plans or planned absences

✔ NGSS Aligned

Specifically, student will learn about:

• The Earth, Sun, and Moon
• Other Solar System objects such as Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors
• The Asteroid Belt

Simply assign the activities and your students will stay engaged in NGSS-aligned space science learning through independent, fun, and structured activities.

Independent print-based activities are commonly used as no-prep sub file work or early finisher tasks, making them ideal for substitute situations where instructional support may be limited.

What’s Included

This 2-day emergency sub plan includes the following middle school-appropriate astronomy resources at a 40% discount!

1. Space Case Study – Mining the Asteroid Belt for Space Exploration -Students explore the real-world possibilities and challenges of mining asteroids to support space exploration. They analyze why scientists are interested in asteroid resources and consider how these materials could be used in future space missions.
2. Our Solar System Crash Course Video Worksheet - Students watch an engaging Crash Course Astronomy video and complete the accompanying worksheet to reinforce their understanding of planets, moons, and other solar system objects.
3. Our Solar System Word Search and Scramble Activity - Students review key solar system vocabulary through a fun and engaging word search and scramble activity that reinforces important astronomy terminology in an independent format.
4. Solar System Research Activity - Students answer guided research questions about the solar system by exploring reliable online sources. This allows them to apply their learning independently while continuing to build background knowledge about space and planetary science.

Extension Activities for Early Finishers

Students who complete their assigned work can respond to open-ended exploration questions that promote critical thinking and discussion when you return to class.

NGSS Alignment

This resource supports:

• MS-ESS1-2
• MS-ESS1-3
• Supporting Standard: MS-ETS1-1
  

Perfect for:

• Emergency Sub Plans
• Planned Absences
• Sub Files
• Independent Work Days
• End of Unit Activities
• Early Finisher Work
  

Leave your class with confidence knowing your students will stay engaged and continue learning — even when you can’t be there.