The Sun is a star
CONCEPTUALKnow that the Sun is a star — the closest star to Earth — and that it is at the centre of our solar system, with all eight planets orbiting around it
Mastery Evidence
- State that the Sun is a star, not a unique type of object
- Explain that the Sun appears bigger and brighter than other stars because it is much closer
- Describe the solar system as the Sun at the centre with planets orbiting around it
Assessment Prompt
“Does [child] know that the Sun is actually a star — just a very close one — and that the planets go around it?”
Prerequisites2
- Sun, Moon & StarshardAges 5—7
- Our Solar SystemhardAges 5—7
Show full prerequisite tree
- 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
- 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
Unlocks6
- Why the Sun Looks BrightesthardAges 9—11
- The Vast Scale of SpacehardAges 9—11
- The Eight PlanetshardAges 7—9
- Life Cycle of StarshardAges 9—11
- How Telescopes WorksoftAges 7—9
- Earth's Spin & OrbithardAges 7—9