Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to name the planets in our solar system, understand their basic characteristics, and create a fun visual representation of the planets.
Materials and Prep
- Paper
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Access to a computer or tablet (optional, for videos)
- Knowledge of the order of the planets from the sun
Activities
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Planet Order Game:
Start by teaching the order of the planets from the sun using a fun song or rhyme. The student can repeat after you and then try to sing it on their own!
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Planet Drawing:
Ask the student to draw each planet on a piece of paper. They can use different colors and sizes to represent how the planets look and how they differ from each other.
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Planet Facts:
Research one fun fact about each planet together. The student can choose their favorite planet and share the fact with you.
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Planet Model:
Using the drawings, create a simple model of the solar system on the floor. The student can place their drawings in order from the sun and talk about each planet as they go.
Talking Points
- "Did you know that there are eight planets in our solar system? Can you name them?"
- "The first planet is Mercury, and it's the closest to the sun! It's really hot there!"
- "Venus is the second planet, and it's sometimes called Earth's twin because they are similar in size!"
- "Earth is our home! It has water and air, which makes it special!"
- "Mars is known as the red planet. Do you know why it's red?"
- "Jupiter is the biggest planet! It's so big that you could fit all the other planets inside it!"
- "Saturn has beautiful rings made of ice and rock! Would you like to visit it?"
- "Uranus is unique because it spins on its side! Can you imagine rolling like that?"
- "Neptune is the farthest planet from the sun. It's very cold and windy there!"