1. Solar System
Describe: Identify the planets in our solar system.
Secure: Describe two models of the solar system.
Exceeding: Explain 5 key facts about our solar system/
Entrance Activity
Try to write down the names of all the different planets in our solar system.
Tool Box – Key Words
Planet
Star
Moon
Satellite
Solar System
Ptolemy’s model

2. Introducing the Solar System
Teacher explanation
Introducing the Solar System
The Solar System is made up of various celestial objects:
the Sun
the planets
moons
asteroids
comets.
Photo credit: © JPL-NASA
How do these objects interact?
The Sun is a star – a massive ball of hot glowing gas. It has the strongest gravitational field in the Solar System. All the other celestial bodies orbit around it.

3. Information Hide and Seek
Learning Activity
Information Hide and Seek
Around the room are posters representing each planet in our solar system. Your task is to find the names of each planet, write them onto your learning sheet in the correct order and write one fun fact about each planet.
10mins

4. Teacher Explanation
Interesting Fact
Pluto is classed as a dwarf planet. The reason for this is because to be classed as a “planet” you need to be able to clear anything that crosses into your orbit. Sadly, Pluto isn’t able to do this, as its orbit overlaps Neptune’s. This means that one day they will collide and Pluto will no long exist.

5. Solar System
Describe: Identify the planets in our solar system.
Secure: Describe two models of the solar system.
Exceeding: Explain 5 key facts about our solar system/
Entrance Activity
Try to write down the names of all the different planets in our solar system.
Tool Box – Key Words
Planet
Star
Moon
Satellite
Solar System
Ptolemy’s model

6. Learning Activity
Drawing models
You are now going to receive a list of instructions for drawing two models of our solar system. You will need to follow all the instructions to draw each model correctly.
Required equipment
Pencil
Ruler
Compass
A3 paper

7. Learning Activity
Ptolemy’s model
Draw a small circle in the center of your page. The circle needs to be 3cm in diameter. (This circle represents Earth.)
Draw a dotted line circle around the earth. There should be a 5cm line gap between the Earth and the dotted line.
On the line draw a third circle with a diameter of 1cm. (This represents the moon)

8. Does your model look like Ptolemy’s model?
Learning Activity
Ptolemy’s model
Draw a second dotted line around your first dotted line. There needs to be a 5cm gap between each line.
On the second dotted line draw your final circle, 4cm in diameter. (This represents the Sun)
Ptolemy put the earth at the center. This is called the geocentric model
Does your model look like Ptolemy’s model?

9. Learning Activity
Modern model
Draw a circle in the center of your page. The circle needs to be 5cm in diameter. (This circle represents Sun.)
Interesting fact
The Earth’s orbit around the sun isn’t actually Circular it is elliptical.
Draw a dotted line circle around the Sun. There should be a 5cm line gap between the Earth and the dotted line.
On the line draw a third circle with a diameter of 3cm. (This represents the Earth)

10. Does your model look like the modern model?
Learning Activity
Modern model
Around the Earth draw a second dotted line, 3 cm away from the Earths surface.
On the second dotted line draw your final circle, 1cm in diameter. (This represents the Moon)
Today we know the Sun is at the center, not Earth. This is called the heliocentric model
Does your model look like the modern model?

11. Learning Activity
Drawing models
Write a brief description about each model. Identify which astronomical objects are orbiting and which are being orbited.
Interesting fact
It takes the moon 28 days to orbit Earth. It also take the Moon 28 days to spin on its axis. This is why we always see the same side of the moon.

12. Solar System
Describe: Identify the planets in our solar system.
Secure: Describe two models of the solar system.
Exceeding: Explain 5 key facts about our solar system/
Entrance Activity
Try to write down the names of all the different planets in our solar system.
Tool Box – Key Words
Planet
Star
Moon
Satellite
Solar System
Ptolemy’s model

13. Learning Activity
Interesting Facts
Write down the 5 interesting facts you have learnt from todays lesson.
-The Earth takes 24 hours to spin on its axis.
-The Earth takes 365 ¼ days to orbit the sun.
-The Moon takes 28 days to orbit the Earth and spin on its axis.
-Pluto is classed as a dwarf planet.
-The Earths orbit is not circular it is elliptical.

14. Solar System
Describe: Identify the planets in our solar system.
Secure: Describe two models of the solar system.
Exceeding: Explain 5 key facts about our solar system/
Entrance Activity
Try to write down the names of all the different planets in our solar system.
Tool Box – Key Words
Planet
Star
Moon
Satellite
Solar System
Ptolemy’s model

15. Plenary
Which Model?