The Solar System

This themed series of four standalone lesson plans, presented on a free downloadable PDF, explores our solar system, from the Sun all the way out to the most distant planet.

• Lesson 1: The Make-Up of the Solar System introduces the properties of our solar system and the types of planet within it.
• Lesson 2: The Sun gives an overview of the Sun, discussing how the solar system revolves around it while considering its size in relation to the planets and other stars.
• Lesson 3: Planets is dedicated to the eight planets in our solar system and what makes each one unique.
• Lesson 4: The Moon explores the characteristics of Earth’s Moon – and looks at the Moon landing of 1969.

The PDF features illustrations by Oliver Jeffers, the acclaimed children’s author and artist, and contains several films that introduce key topics. The lesson plans contain plenty of prompts for discussions and creative activities inspired by these themes – making a film, designing a Mars rover, imagining a sea creature that might live on one of Jupiter’s moons, and more.