1. Mrs. Atkinson’s 4th Grade Science Lesson
Inner vs. Outer Planets
Mrs. Atkinson’s
4th Grade Science Lesson

2. The Inner Planets
The Inner Planets are the four planets closest to the sun.

3. The Inner Planets
small
rocky surface
no rings
few moons
hot!

4. The Asteroid Belt
The inner and outer plants are separated by the Asteroid Belt.
The Asteroid Belt is a ring of small, rocky objects that revolve around the sun.

5. The Outer Planets
The Outer Planets are the four planets furthest from the sun.

6. The Outer Planets big made of gas (“Gas Giants”) have rings many moons
cold!

7. Poor Pluto!

8. Dwarf Planets Pluto was once considered a planet.
In 2006, scientists decided that Pluto was too small to be considered a planet.
We now call it a dwarf planet.
There are other dwarf planets in our solar system including Ceres, Eris, and Makemake.

9. Planet Order
My very excellent mother just served us nachos! Can you come up with your own mnemonic device to remember the planet order?