Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 30 minutes
The planets of the solar system
Space
CCSS NGSS.MS-ESS1-3CCSS NGSS.5-ESS1-1England: KS2 Y5 Earth and space
Objective and success criteria
Students will: The planets of the solar system.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: The Sun, Moon and stars
Leads to: The scale of the universe; Sun, Earth and Moon: shapes, sizes and distances
Materials: Torch and ball for a Sun-Earth-Moon model, Space images, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The Sun, Moon and stars). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Why does the Sun look bigger and brighter than other stars? (It is much closer to us / It is a different kind of light / Other stars are not real / It is the biggest star in the universe) → It is much closer to usPrompt: Things far away look smaller and dimmer.
- Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (The Moon makes its own light. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / Stars are still in the sky during the day. / You can only see the Moon at night.) → Stars are still in the sky during the day.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?
- Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is NOT true? (You can only see the Moon at night. / The Sun appears to move across the sky during the day. / The Sun is a star. / Stars are still in the sky during the day.) → You can only see the Moon at night.Prompt: Does the Sun really move round us?
Hook · 3 min
- Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
- Share the objective: The planets of the solar system. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which planets are the rocky (terrestrial) planets?
- Step 1: The four inner planets are rocky; the four outer planets are giants made mostly of gas and ice.
- Step 2: So the answer is: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
- Answer: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Which planet is the hottest? (Venus / Mars / Jupiter / Mercury) → VenusPrompt: It is not the closest to the Sun, but it has a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere.
- Which is the largest planet in our solar system? (Earth / Neptune / Saturn / Jupiter) → JupiterPrompt: It is a gas giant with a Great Red Spot.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which planet is the hottest? (Mercury / Jupiter / Venus / Mars) → VenusPrompt: It is not the closest to the Sun, but it has a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere.
- Which is the largest planet in our solar system? (Jupiter / Neptune / Earth / Saturn) → JupiterPrompt: It is a gas giant with a Great Red Spot.
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: The Sun, Moon and stars.
- Use concrete materials: torch and ball for a sun-earth-moon model.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: The scale of the universe; Sun, Earth and Moon: shapes, sizes and distances.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-3.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder