Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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.
- What is the Sun? (a planet / a comet / a star / a moon) → a starPrompt: It makes its own light, like the stars at night.
- Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (You can only see the Moon at night. / The Moon reflects light from the Sun. / The Moon makes its own light. / The Sun goes round the Earth.) → The Moon reflects light from the Sun.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?
- 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 Moon reflects light from the Sun. / The Sun is a star.) → The Sun goes round the Earth.Prompt: Does the Sun really move round us?
Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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 planets are the rocky (terrestrial) planets? (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars / Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune / all eight / Earth and Pluto) → Mercury, Venus, Earth and MarsPrompt: They are the four closest to the Sun.
- Which planet is known as the Red Planet? (Mercury / Jupiter / Venus / Mars) → MarsPrompt: Its surface is covered in iron oxide (rust) dust.
You do: independent practice · 17 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 5 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which is the largest planet in our solar system? (Earth / Jupiter / Neptune / Saturn) → JupiterPrompt: It is a gas giant with a Great Red Spot.
- What is Pluto classed as today? (a star / a dwarf planet / a moon of Neptune / the ninth planet) → a dwarf planetPrompt: It was reclassified in 2006.
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