The Solar System – Original

Lesson Plan
A Collaborative Science Activity for Key Stage 2

Teacher’s Notes

This material links reading and oral skills. The text is divided into
three parts so that pupils have the task of collecting information from
each other as well as from the text.
Before the activity, revise/teach related vocabulary using visual images
on Interactive White Board, posters or books.

Procedure

1. Divide pupils into three groups (groups can be given names of

planets). These can be arranged so that particular individuals can
gain support from other members of the group. With large
classes these groups can be subdivided.

2. Give each pupil a copy of the question form.

Give each pupil in group 1 a copy of sheet A.
Give each pupil in group 2 a copy of sheet B.
Give each pupil in group 3 a copy of sheet C.

3. Each individual fills in as many of the answers as they can from their
information sheet, with the support of other members of the same
group. (The passage could be put on tape for the group to listen to, if
necessary).
The Solar System: Shelagh Fishlock
EMAS4Success: May 2008
Website editors: Deborah Barkham and Harvinder Bilkhu
Images: Microsoft clip art on line.
4. Members of each group then split into twos and threes and
interchange with other groups, so that each new group includes
members with sheet A, B and C. In trying to find out the additional
information to fill in their sheets, the pupils can ask questions,
using the question prompts on the sheet.

Vocabulary:
asteroid
axis
earth
gravity
moon
orbit
planet
solar system
space sphere
star
sun
temperature

Follow up activities:
1. Vocabulary matching activity: Reinforce new vocabulary by matching
definitions to key words. This could be done as a game in groups of 3 or 4:
Cut up the definitions. One pupil reads the definition and the other 2 or 3
compete to be the first to give the word - can be timed for extra
challenge. Groups stick meaning on sheet.
Encourage pupils to write word in home language if possible (can
be done at home with parents).

2. Homework activity: Pupils complete cloze exercise to consolidate

understanding of content and practise new vocabulary.

3. Extension: Look on Nasa Kids website for more games and

information.
 The Solar System
The sun is a star that is nearest the earth. It provides
the earth with energy in the form of light and heat.

The sun travels through space with a whole family of

planets, called the Solar System.

In the sun’s family there are 9 important planets of

different sizes. The largest planet is called Jupiter. The
smallest planet is Mercury.

The planets orbit (travel around) the sun. Most planets

have moons which travel around them. The earth’s moon
takes 28 days to orbit the earth. The moon is held in
place by the earth’s gravity. The earth travels around
the sun because of its gravitational pull.

A
 The Solar System
The sun is a star that is nearest the earth. It provides
the earth with energy in the form of light and heat.

The sun travels through space with a whole family of

planets, called the Solar System.

A planet spins around on its axis as it orbits (travels

around) the sun, which makes day and night. It is daytime
for the side of the earth that faces the sun, and night
time for the side facing away from the sun.

It takes 24 hours for the earth to turn one complete

spin on its axis. Therefore a day and night is 24 hours.

Every planet takes a year to orbit the sun. An earth year

is 365 ¼ days. Mercury’s year is only 88 days, but Pluto,
takes 248 earth years to go round the sun!

B
 The Solar System
The sun is a star that is nearest the earth. It provides
the earth with energy in the form of light and heat.

The sun travels through space with a whole family of

planets, called the Solar System. These planets are
spheres or spherical in shape.

Normally, planets which are near the sun are hotter

than planets far away.

Mercury is the nearest planet to the sun, and it can have a

o
temperature of 350 c – much hotter than an oven. Pluto is
so far away that it is icy all the time.

Venus is not the nearest planet but it is the hottest,

because it has thick clouds. These clouds let the sun’s
heat in, but do not let it out. The temperature on Venus
o
can be 600 c.
The Solar System also has thousands of smaller planets,
some as small as rocks. These are called asteroids.
 The Solar System – What do you know?

Read the clues and write the answers.

Your group has only some of them.

1. What does the sun provide (give us)? ……………………………………………………….

2. What’s the name of the sun and its planets? ………………………………………………

3. Why do planets have day and night? ……………………………………………………………

4. How long does it take earth to orbit the sun? …………………………………

5. What’s the nearest planet to the sun? ………………………………………………………..

6. What’s the largest planet? ……………………………………………………………

7. What’s the number of important planets

in the Solar System? …………………………………………………………….

8. What’s the length of a day and night on Earth? ………………………………………..

10. What’s the smallest planet? ……………………………………………………………..

11. What’s the temperature on Venus? ……………………………………………………………..

12. Why is Venus the hottest planet? ……………………………………………………………..

13. What’s the length of a year on Mercury? ……………………………………………….

14. What’s the name for small, less

important planets? ……………………………………………………………. 15. What orbits

around most planets? ………………………………………………………

16. How long does it take for our moon to orbit earth? …………………………………
17. What holds the moon in it’s orbit around the earth?..............................
18. What shape are the sun, earth and other planets?.................................
Vocabulary Activity: Work in groups. Read/listen to the definitions for these words. Match the right definition to
the word. Can you add a word in your home language?
Image Word Definition/Meaning Word in home language

axis

earth

gravity

moon

orbit

planet

solar system

space

sphere
star
Vocabulary Activity: Cut out these definitions (word meanings). Work with a partner or group to match the
definition with the right word, and stick them in the right box. How quickly can you do it?
Definition/Meaning

The planet we live on.

Large object that moves around the sun or other star.

Path that is taken by a smaller planet as it travels around

a larger planet.
An object shaped like a ball.

The whole of the universe, outside the earth.

An imaginary line through the middle of an object that it

seems to spin around.
Small planet that orbits the earth.

Hot ball of gas, such as the sun.

Force that makes 2 objects move towards each other.

A star with planets that travel around it.

Vocabulary activity: Master copy.
Image Word Definition/Meaning Word in home language

axis An imaginary line through the middle of an object that it

seems to spin around.
earth The planet we live on.

gravity Force that makes 2 objects move towards each other.

moon Small planet that orbits the earth.

orbit Path that is taken by a smaller planet as it travels around

a larger planet.
planet Large object that moves around the sun or other star.

solar system A star with planets that travel around it.

space The whole of the universe, outside the earth.

sphere An object shaped like a ball.

star Hot ball of gas, such as the sun.
The Solar System

Use the words in the box below to complete these sentences:

The sun is a that is near the .

The sun has important planets that travel with it

through . This is called a

The biggest planet is called and the

hottest planet is called . It has a

o
of 600 c.

The earth spins around on its as it travels around the

which makes day and night. An earth day and night

lasts for hours. It takes each planet 1 year to travel around

the sun. An earth year is days.

Most planets have moons which around them. The

earth’s moon takes days to orbit earth. Planets are

held in place around the sun by the force of .

earth mercury space 9 orbit sun

24 temperature Jupiter 28 star
solar system gravity axis 365¼
EDIT 610 FINAL PROJECT 16

Part II: The Solar System Revised Lesson Plan

Objective

The student will demonstrate an understanding of the parts of the solar system and be able

to explain some of the parts.

Standard

Standard 8.E.4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the universe and

the predictable patterns caused by Earth’s movement in the solar system.

Procedure

§ Introduction

o Students will begin by completing a warm-up when they enter the classroom.

§ Students will be required to post a post on their Canvas discussion

board stating 3 facts that they know about the solar system and comment

on another student's post.

§ Middle

o Students will watch this YouTube video on the solar system.

§ While watching the video, students will work with a partner to write down

5 new facts about the solar system they learned.

o Students will complete a station activity regarding the solar system.

§ Station 1: VR Tour

• Students will go on a virtual tour through space using VR

headsets. During this time, students will interact with the interface.

§ Station 2: What do you know?

EDIT 610 FINAL PROJECT 17

• Students will work as a group to complete the following

worksheet. Students will put their responses on a scratch sheet

of paper.

§ Station 3: Kahoot!

• Students will work with individually to compete against the

other players in their group.

o Kahoot Game 1

o Kahoot Game 2

§ Station 4: Fill it in!

• Students will work as a group to complete the following

worksheet. Students will put their responses to the prompts on a

Padlet wall.

§ End

o Students will end the lesson by doing a pair-and-share. Students write down

2 new facts that they learned throughout the lesson on the Padlet Wall. Then

randomly select a person on the wall to respond to.

Summary

Students will work individually and with groups to acquire a basic understanding of the

solar system. Students will have the opportunity to interact with several different technologies

in order to deepen their understanding. The teacher will constantly monitor students' progress

and comprehension of the subject matter.

Homework:
EDIT 610 FINAL PROJECT 18

Students will use Quizlet to create vocabulary cards for the terms introduced throughout

the lesson.

Rubric

Padlet Wall Grading Rubric

Component Unsatisfactory Proficient Exemplary
Content The student has The student has The student has
composed a post that composed a post that composed a post that
does not elaborate on elaborates on 1 the elaborates on 2 or
the facts presented in fact presented in class more facts presented
class regarding the regarding the solar in class regarding the
solar system. system. solar system.
Response The student has failed The student has The student has
to respond to another commented on 1 of commented on 2 or
student’s post. their classmate's post. more of their
classmates’ post.
Grammar The student has The student has The student has
composed and composed and composed and
responded to a post responded to a post responded to several
with nonacademic with academic post with academic
language and several language but a few language and little to
grammatical errors. errors. no errors.

Part III: Assessment Plan

Lesson Title: The Solar System

Objective: The student will show demonstrate understanding of the parts of the solar system

and be able to explain some of the parts.

Content Standard: 8.E.4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the universe and

the predictable patterns caused by Earth’s movement in the solar system.

South Format of
Activity ISTE Standards Lesson
Carolina Assessment
Objective Assessment
Grade 8
EDIT 610 FINAL PROJECT 19

Science
Standards

Warm Up Global Standard The student Low-Level Students will

8.E.4: The will show Assessment be assessed
Discussion Collaborator
Students use
student will demonstrate (Participation based on the
Board and
digital tools to demonstrate understandi ) quality of
Padlet Wall
connect with an ng of the their
learners from a understandi parts of the participation
variety of ng of the solar system in the
backgrounds and universe and be able discussion.
cultures, engaging
and the to explain Students are
with them in ways
predictable some of the required to
that broaden
patterns parts. have an
mutual
caused by initial post
understanding and
Earth’s and comment
learning.
movement on another
in the solar student’s
system. work.

Kahoot! Empowered Standard The student Low-Level Students will

Game Learner: 8.E.4: The will show Assessment receive a
Students use student will demonstrate (Participation grade based
technology to demonstrate understandi ) on their
seek feedback that an ng of the completing of
informs and understandi parts of the both Kahoot
improves their
ng of the solar system games and
practice and to
universe and be able receiving a
demonstrate their
and the to explain score of 80%
learning in a
predictable some of the or above to
variety of ways.
patterns parts. demonstrate
caused by mastery.
EDIT 610 FINAL PROJECT 20

Earth’s
movement
in the solar
system.
Overall Lesson Plan
As a teacher, I have monitored success from having engaging assignments and only

assessing a few of those assignments. With the warm-up activity, it is a low stakes activity

which will have students activate their schema on the subject matter. Students are required to

write complete sentences and communicate their prior knowledge of the subject matter. When

responding, students are given a chance to learn more information about the solar system and

deepening their discussion through discussion. During this activity, the teacher is not grading

based on the amount of information given during the discussion but attempting to activate

knowledge from prior grades or interactions. This is a no-stress grade because it is based off

participation and is not centered around the amount of information given.

The Padlet wall requires students to take the information that they have learned

throughout the entire class and compose a post detailing two of the most important facts.

Students can choose the nature of what they want to discuss, but the post is heavily based on the

information given. The objective is for students to demonstrate an understanding of the solar

system and be able to explain it in detail. Students are required to compose a discussion post

that is thoughtful and carefully written to demonstrate understanding of the topic. Their

response to another person needs to also be of quality.

The Kahoot game is an engaging activity that assesses students' knowledge of the solar

system as they are going through the lesson. Students are required to score at least an 80% on both

of their Kahoot games to demonstrate mastery of knowledge about the solar system. Those
EDIT 610 FINAL PROJECT 21

that do not meet the requirement are expected to repeat the game however many times

necessary to meet mastery.

How Technology Decision were Made

The purpose of this lesson was to introduce students to the solar system in a fun,

engaging way that they can receive the information. To introduce the lesson, I allowed students

to participate in an online discussion via Canvas (LMS). Based on the research in the British

Journal of Educational Technology, online discussion “provides opportunities for students to

engage in and benefit from group work in an online environment” (Delaney et al., 2019, p.906).

Due to this information, I wanted to include opportunities for discussion in both the warm-up and

in the closing assignment. As students are able to interact with their peers, they will want to

remain engaged in the lesson, so they are able to engage in the discussion. Discussing the

information demonstrates mastery of the subject.

With the addition of the virtual headset, students can immerse themselves in an

engaging activity that teaches them about the subject matter. Virtual reality is a great medium

for delivering information in a way that is memorable for the students. Rather than just

watching a video, students are surrounded by the universe.

Diverse Needs of Learners

This lesson plan addresses the needs of all learners because of the variety of the activities.

For students that are more expressive in writing, students have been given the assignment of writing

on the Padlet wall and discussion board via Canvas. With the introduction of the stations, the

assignments are varied enough for all learners: visual and kinesthetic. Visual learners can go on a

virtual journey through the solar system. Kinesthetic learners can work on the worksheet
EDIT 610 FINAL PROJECT 22

and put together the information. Students that also enjoy a gamified setting in the classroom

will have Kahoot where they can play games with the persons in their group.

In middle school, social settings and access to technology is very important. With this

lesson, students are constantly interacting with their peers whether virtual or in groups.

Students have independent time to reflect while constructing their discussion board posts.

Students have time for interaction when in their stations. During both of those activities,

students will have an interaction with technology. Regardless of the variety of the assignments,

all assignments contribute to gathering knowledge about the solar system.

Targeted Aspects of Digital Citizenship

In terms of digital citizenship, students should know the basic information of not giving

out passwords or engaging with unknown subject. Students must also learn the importance of

interacting with others in a respectful manner. As middle school students, they are more

engaged in conversations outside of the classroom on various topics. Students are bound to enter

the classroom with preconceived notions about their classmates or harsh feelings. One of the

elements of digital citizenship is ‘Relationships & Communication’. Learning how to

communicate for the appropriate audience and maintaining healthy lines of communication. The

activities that I have included in my lesson that accurately addresses ‘Relationship &

Communication’ are the Padlet Wall and Canvas discussion.

EDIT 610 FINAL PROJECT 23

References

Delaney, D., Kummer, T.-F., & Singh, K. (2019). Evaluating the Impact of Online

Discussion Boards on Student Engagement with Group Work. British Journal of

Educational Technology, 50(2), 902–920.