The solar system in a single row, for Year 5 science. The edge of the Sun glows on the left, and the eight planets sit in one row in order of distance. Lines A to H point to them, with the labels above and below in turn. Pupils write each planet's name from an eight-word word bank. The answer key on page 2 runs from A, Mercury, to H, Neptune. It links to the England National Curriculum earth and space unit.
Earth and space
“Describe the Sun, Earth and Moon as approximately spherical bodies”
Partly met. The Sun and planets are drawn as spheres, but the Moon is not shown and pupils do not describe shapes.
Earth and space
“Describe the movement of the Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun in the solar system”
Partly met. Pupils put the planets in order from the Sun. The diagram shows no orbits, so teach the movement alongside it.
An eight-planet word bank in mixed order and a row of planets from the Sun outwards, labelled A to H.
The planets in order from A to H.
Mnemonic
Give pupils a sentence to remember the order, or ask them to make one up, before they label without the word bank.
Size talk
Point out how much bigger Jupiter and Saturn are drawn than Earth, and sort the planets into rocky planets and gas giants.
Playground model
After labelling, line eight pupils up in the playground in the same order and start a lesson on orbits.
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