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Our Solar System
CONCEPTUALKnow that there are other planets besides Earth and that our group of planets orbiting the Sun is called the solar system — and that space is the vast area beyond Earth's sky
Mastery Evidence
- State that Earth is a planet and there are other planets too
- Use the term 'solar system' to describe the Sun and the planets that orbit it
- Explain that space is the area beyond the Earth's sky, where the planets and stars are
Assessment Prompt
“Does [child] know that Earth is one of several planets that go around the Sun, and that this group is called the solar system?”
Prerequisites1
- Sun, Moon & StarshardAges 5—7
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- 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
- Days, Weeks, Months & Years soft
Observing and describing seasonal changes requires basic date and time vocabulary (months, seasons, year)
- Ordering Events in Time hard
Understanding days/months/years builds on sequencing events chronologically
Unlocks3
- The Eight PlanetshardAges 7—9
- What Astronauts DosoftAges 5—7
- The Sun is a starhardAges 7—9