The solar system is the name for our Sun and the planets that orbit it.

The Sun is a star and at the centre of our solar system.

Planets are large objects made of rock or gas that orbit a star.

To research something is to find out about it or investigate it carefully.

Secondary sources are texts, images or objects created using information gathered by others.

The planets in our solar system (non-statutory)

Science

The shape of Earth

The shape of objects in space

Observing the Moon

The relative sizes of the Earth, Sun and Moon (non-statutory)

More about the Sun (non-statutory)

Why we have day and night

Why the Sun appears to move across the sky

The movement of the planets around the Sun

Scientific theories from the past (non-statutory)

How we see the Moon from Earth

The movement of the Moon

In the Earth, Sun and Moon unit, pupils learnt about the cause of day and night. In the Solar system and beyond unit they will build on this knowledge to learn about the motions that cause days and seasons on the Earth.

In the Seasonal changes units, pupils learn that day length varies throughout the year. In this Earth, Sun and Moon unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to use the idea of the Earth's rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky

This unit covers the movement of the Earth, moon, and planets, describing them as spherical bodies. It explains Earth's rotation, causing day and night, and the sun's apparent movement. Emphasis is on recording complex data, presenting findings, and evaluating scientific evidence.

Earth, Sun and Moon

Which of these objects is at the centre of our solar system?

How many planets are there in our solar system?

Which is the furthest planet from the Sun in our solar system?

Starting with the closest, put these planets in order according to their distance from the Sun.

What is the temperature in this room right now?

Which is your teacher's favourite planet?

Which of these questions could we find the answer to with secondary sources?

The Earth is the only planet that travels around the Sun.

Which of these statements about the solar system is true?

The object in space that we live on is called {{}}.

The planets in our solar system (non-statutory)

Lesson outcome