Objective

By the end of this lesson, Willow will be able to identify and describe the eight planets in our solar system, including their unique features and characteristics. She will also learn fun facts that make each planet special!

Materials and Prep

• Paper
• Colored pencils or markers
• Notebook or journal for notes
• Access to a computer or tablet for research (if available)
• Print out or write down a list of the planets in order from the sun

Before the lesson, prepare a list of interesting facts about each planet to share with Willow. Make sure to have a comfortable space for her to draw and write.

Activities

• Planet Art: Willow will create a colorful drawing of each planet. She can use her imagination to depict how she thinks each planet looks, adding details like rings, moons, or colors based on their characteristics.
• Fact Finding Mission: Using a computer or tablet, Willow will research one interesting fact about each planet. She can write these facts in her notebook to share later.
• Planet Order Game: Willow will create flashcards with the names of the planets and their order from the sun. She can then practice putting them in the correct order and quiz herself or you!
• Planet Comparison Chart: Willow will make a chart comparing two planets of her choice. She can list their sizes, distances from the sun, and any unique features.

Talking Points

• "Did you know that Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun? It's really hot there!"
• "Venus is often called Earth's twin because they are similar in size, but Venus is much hotter!"
• "Earth is the only planet we know has life. What do you think makes it special?"
• "Mars is known as the Red Planet because of its rusty color. Would you like to visit Mars?"
• "Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system! It has a big storm called the Great Red Spot."
• "Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings. Do you know what those rings are made of?"
• "Uranus spins on its side! Can you imagine what that would be like?"
• "Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun and is known for its strong winds. It's a very windy place!"
• "There are also dwarf planets like Pluto. Did you know Pluto used to be considered the ninth planet?"