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The Eight Planets

CONCEPTUAL
Science›Space Exploration|Ages 7—9|ID: mt_AVk2EmSULC

Name the eight planets in order from the Sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune), know that Pluto is a dwarf planet, and distinguish rocky inner planets from gas giant outer planets

Mastery Evidence

  • List all eight planets in order from the Sun
  • State that Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006
  • Explain that the four inner planets are small and rocky while the four outer planets are large gas giants

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] list all eight planets in order from the Sun — maybe using a memory trick like 'My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nachos'?”

Prerequisites2

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  • The Sun is a star hard

    Must know the Sun is the centre before naming planets in order from it

    • Sun, Moon & Stars hard

      Must know the Sun is a sky object before learning it is a star

      • Why seasons change soft

        Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification

        • Naming the Planets soft

          Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary

        • Seasonal changes soft

          Seasonal changes observation supports daylight pattern recognition

    • Our Solar System hard

      Must know about the solar system before learning the Sun is at its centre

      • Sun, Moon & Stars hard

        Must know the Sun and stars before learning about planets and the solar system

        • Why seasons change soft

          Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification

          • Naming the Planets soft

            Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary

          • Seasonal changes soft

            Seasonal changes observation supports daylight pattern recognition

  • Our Solar System hard

    Must know planets exist before listing them in order

    • Sun, Moon & Stars hard

      Must know the Sun and stars before learning about planets and the solar system

      • Why seasons change soft

        Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification

        • Naming the Planets soft

          Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary

        • Seasonal changes soft

          Seasonal changes observation supports daylight pattern recognition

Unlocks4