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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.
  1. Why does the Sun look bigger and brighter than other stars? (Other stars are not real / It is the biggest star in the universe / It is a different kind of light / It is much closer to us) → It is much closer to usPrompt: Things far away look smaller and dimmer.
  2. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (The Sun is a star. / You can only see the Moon at night. / The Moon makes its own light. / The Sun goes round the Earth.) → The Sun is a star.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?
  3. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is NOT true? (The Sun appears to move across the sky during the day. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Sun is a star. / The Moon reflects light from the Sun.) → The Sun goes round the Earth.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.
  1. What is Pluto classed as today? (the ninth planet / a moon of Neptune / a dwarf planet / a star) → a dwarf planetPrompt: It was reclassified in 2006.
  2. Which planet is the hottest? (Jupiter / Mars / Mercury / Venus) → VenusPrompt: It is not the closest to the Sun, but it has a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere.

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.
  1. What is Pluto classed as today? (a dwarf planet / a moon of Neptune / a star / the ninth planet) → a dwarf planetPrompt: It was reclassified in 2006.
  2. 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

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The planets of the solar system

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which planet has the ring around it?

    • A. Mercury
    • B. Jupiter
    • C. Mars
    • D. Saturn

  2. Question 2

    Which planet is known as the Red Planet?

    • A. Jupiter
    • B. Mercury
    • C. Venus
    • D. Mars

  3. Question 3

    Which is the largest planet in our solar system?

    • A. Saturn
    • B. Earth
    • C. Jupiter
    • D. Neptune

  4. Question 4

    What is Pluto classed as today?

    • A. a star
    • B. the ninth planet
    • C. a dwarf planet
    • D. a moon of Neptune

  5. Question 5

    Which planets are the rocky (terrestrial) planets?

    • A. Earth and Pluto
    • B. Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
    • C. all eight
    • D. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune

  6. Question 6

    Which planet is the hottest?

    • A. Mars
    • B. Venus
    • C. Mercury
    • D. Jupiter

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Answer key: The planets of the solar system

  1. 1. B. Jupiter

  2. 2. D. Mars

  3. 3. C. Jupiter

  4. 4. C. a dwarf planet

  5. 5. B. Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars

  6. 6. B. Venus