Overview
Objective
- Make several models of the solar system.
- Identify the planets by size, shape, color, features, and position in the solar system.
- Practice key vocabulary words.
- Ask and answer questions.
Materials
Model #1 – Relative Distance Clothesline Model
- Yellow construction paper
- Piece of clothesline 10 feet long
- Nine 1" X 6" strips of oaktag
- 10 clothespins
Model #2 - Take-Home Picture for Refrigerator Door (Position of Planets)
Each student makes an individual picture to take home and post on their refrigerator. This is a study aid as they memorize the planets.
- 12" X 18" black construction paper
- Clear tape
- Yellow construction paper for sun
- Copies of planets on copy paper. All the planets will fit on one piece of 8½" X 11" copy paper. Here are the dimensions of the diameters of the planets. Draw the big ones first, then fit the others around the outside.
Sun: semicircle of yellow construction paper with diameter of 6"
Mercury: ¾" diameter circle
Venus: 1¼"
Earth: 1 3/8"
Mars: 1"
Jupiter: 4¾"
Saturn: 3 5/8", with rings 7¾"
Uranus: 1 3/4", with rings 2¾"
Neptune: 1½", with rings 2¾"
Pluto: ½" - Crayons
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Pencils and Sharpies
- Books with color photos of the planets
Model #3 - Relative-Size Model for Hallway or Gym
This big model is best made one planet at a time for the larger planets.Roll of butcher/bulletin board paper. I use brown but any color will do.
- Tempera paints and brushes, old newspapers
- Tracing patterns for smaller planets
- String cut to the radius of the larger planets
- Masking tape to piece together butcher paper
- Picture books with photos to refer to for colors
Set Up and Prepare
Model #1 - Relative Distance Clothesline Model
- Put up clothesline across blackboard or bulletin board, low enough for children to reach it. (I use magnets with clips.)
- Draw sun with 6" diameter on yellow paper. Label and cut out.
- Write names of planets on oaktag strips.
Model #2 - Take-Home Picture for Refrigerator Door (Position of Planets)
- Make a sample ahead of time.
- Make copies of planets page for each child and a few extras.
- Cut black paper in half the long way. Tape two pieces together with clear tape.
- Make semicircular pattern for the sun. Diameter of semicircle is 6".
Model #3 - Relative-Size Model for Hallway or Gym
- Trace the larger planets on paper. Have a second person hold one end of string on the center of the paper and use a pencil on the other end like a compass to make circles. While children can paint and cut out larger planets, they will need help with the drawing.
- Dimensions of the diameter of planets are:
Mercury: 1½"
Venus: 3¾"
Earth: 3 7/8"
Mars: 2"
Jupiter: 44¼" (Tape butcher paper together to get desired width.)
Saturn: 37 1/8"
Uranus: 16"
Neptune: 15¼"
Pluto: ¾" - Mix a few of the colors, like blue-green, red-orange, etc., ahead of time.
Directions
Model #1 - Relative Distance Clothesline Model
Step 1: Talk with class as you set up this model with their help.
Step 2: Put sun on one end of clothesline. Discuss what "solar" means. Talk about sun as star.
Step 3: Put up the planets with the children's help and as you do, talk about inner and outer planets and asteroid belt.
Planets should be the following distances from the sun:
Mercury: 1"
Venus: 1½"
Earth: 2"
Mars: 3"
Jupiter: 11½"
Saturn: 19"
Uranus: 38"
Neptune: 60"
Pluto: 79"
Model #2 - Take-Home Picture for Refrigerator Door (Position of Planets)
Step 1: Color the planets. Refer children to books with color photos. Using accurate colors is important.
Step 2: Trace and cut out semicircular sun. Sun should be the full width of long black paper. Glue sun to left side of paper.
Step 3: Cut out planets and glue to paper. It's a good idea to cut out the inner planets first, one at a time, and glue them on because they're small and likely to get lost.
Step 4: Add labels. For labels on black paper, use white crayon. For other labels use pencils and Sharpies.
Step 5: If you have a laminator, laminate so models last longer
Step 6: Send home with a note to parents asking them to post picture on the refrigerator and help their child learn the names and positions of the planets.
To help children memorize the names of the planets and their positions in the solar system try this device:
My (Mercury)
Very (Venus)
Excited (Earth)
Mother (Mars)
Just (Jupiter)
Served (Saturn)
Us (Uranus)
Nine (Neptune)
Pizzas (Pluto)
Model #3 - Relative-Size Model for Hallway or Gym
Step 1: Students trace smaller planets onto butcher paper. Teacher helps sketch larger planets.
Step 2: Paint and cut out.
Step 3: Put up in hallway. It's impossible to show relative distance with this model.
Supporting All Learners
Understanding the solar system at age 7 is challenging and beyond some children. Developmentally they aren't "there yet." I take comfort in the knowledge that the curriculum spirals through the grades and students will study the solar system again in 4th grade.
Lesson Extensions
Solar System Made From Foods
Sun - Giant pumpkin or giant orange garbage bag stuffed with newspaper.
Mercury - Coffee bean
Venus - Large blueberry
Earth - Cherry
Mars - Pea
Jupiter - Large grapefruit or cantaloupe
Saturn - Very large orange
Uranus - Kiwi
Neptune - Apricot or nectarine
Pluto - Grain of rice
Home Connection
Depending on where you live, there may be a planetarium at a science center or an observatory at a local college. Look into these possibilities, both as potential family excursions and/or field trips. Suggest family outings in your weekly newsletter.
Evaluation
- Explain things simply and carefully?
- Clear up any misconceptions?
- Encourage students to pay attention to detail and do their personal best?
- Circulate and supervise activities adequately?
- Spend enough time with those who struggle or have disabilities?
- Subjects:Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles, Arts and Crafts, Vocabulary, Time and Measurement, Planets, Moons, Solar Systems, Science Experiments and Projects
- Skills:Diagrams, Science, Vocabulary
- Duration:5 Hrs
