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

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

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

Orbit is when something travels around a star, planet or moon.

The movement of the planets around the Sun

Science

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

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Risk assessment required - physical activity

Our Sun and the planets orbiting around it is called the {{}} system.

What is at the centre of our solar system?

How long does it take for Earth to complete a full orbit of the Sun?

A year where Earth takes a little longer to orbit the Sun.

A year where Earth takes a little less time to orbit the Sun.

A year where we add an extra day to make up for the missing quarter days.

A year where we have one less day to make up for the missing quarter days.

A leap year happens every four years. What is a leap year?

They are different distances from the Sun.

Why do different planets take different lengths of time to orbit the Sun?

Starting with the shortest time, put these planets in order according to how long it takes them to orbit the Sun.

Moving around in the same direction as the hands on a clock.

Moving in the opposite direction to the hands on a clock.

Match the movement to the correct description.

Starting with the smallest, put these objects in space in order of size.

Earth, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus are all examples of {{}}.

The Sun travels through space from east to west.

Which of these explains why the Sun appears to move across the sky each day?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - physical activity

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

The movement of the planets around the Sun

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.