Eight clues open this 3rd grade solar system sheet, and students write the planet that fits each one from a word bank. The clues include closest to the sun, the red planet, a giant storm called the Great Red Spot, has the brightest rings and spins on its side. Page 2 adds four true or false statements and one short answer on why Venus is hotter than Mercury. Page 3 is the answer key.
“Match each planet to a key fact about it.”
Page 1 pairs Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune with one clue each.
“Judge whether a statement about the planets is true or false.”
The four statements include two that sound right but are not, about the hottest and the farthest planet.
“Explain why Venus is hotter than Mercury.”
The short answer on page 2 asks for the reason, which is thick clouds that trap heat.
A word bank of the eight planets and eight clues with a line each, from closest to the sun to farthest from the sun. A picture of Saturn sits beside the title.
Four statements in a table, such as Mercury is the hottest planet because it is closest to the sun and Saturn is the farthest planet. Students write True or False in the box.
One question on why Venus is hotter than Mercury even though Mercury is closer to the sun, with four lines to answer.
The eight planets, the four true or false answers with a note where the statement is false, and a model answer about thick clouds trapping heat.
Quick fire clues
Read the clues aloud and have students hold up the planet name on a card. It makes a good five minute warm-up before the written sheet.
The Mercury trap
True or false statement 1 catches students who think closest means hottest. Talk it through before they reach the Venus question, and the written answers improve.
Make a ninth clue
Ask students to write one new clue for any planet and swap with a partner. A good clue names a fact the first eight did not.
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