The planets in our solar system (non-statutory)
I can find out about and name the planets in our solar system.
The planets in our solar system (non-statutory)
I can find out about and name the planets in our solar system.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The solar system consists of the Sun and all other objects in space travelling around it, such as planets.
- The Sun is the centre of the solar system
- There are eight planets in the solar system
- The planets in order from the Sun are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune
- Planets can be researched using secondary sources of information
Keywords
Solar system - The solar system is the name for our Sun and the planets that orbit it.
Sun - The Sun is a star and at the centre of our solar system.
Planets - Planets are large objects made of rock or gas that orbit a star.
Research - To research something is to find out about it or investigate it carefully.
Secondary sources - Secondary sources are texts, images or objects created using information gathered by others.
Common misconception
Earth lies at the centre of our solar system, with the Sun and planets orbiting around it.
Provide opportunities for the children to explore both diagrams and 3D models of the solar system which clearly show the Sun and planets.
To help you plan your year 5 science lesson on: The planets in our solar system (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 science lesson on: The planets in our solar system (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Earth, Sun and Moon unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Access to the internet or non-fiction texts about the solar system.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions







Exit quiz
6 Questions






