Earth & Space
Our cosmic neighbourhood — the Sun, eight planets and everything that orbits them.
⏱ Whole lesson ≈ 44 min · pick a tier in the bar, or leave on "All"
Whiteboard task as pupils arrive. Space is brand new — find out what they already know.
Write or draw two things you might find in space.
What is the difference between a star, a planet and a moon? Have a go — we will check by the end.
Show the words Sun · Earth · Moon · star · asteroid. Which is which?
Our enquiry question for the whole block: How have ideas about the Solar System changed over time?
Match the word to the clue:
Which of these orbits the Sun, and which orbits a planet? Sun · Earth · the Moon · Jupiter.
The Sun is a star. Explain why we still call it the centre of the Solar System.
Teacher models. Watch, then name the parts together.
Swap the clip: change the ID after /embed/ (now dgrhNdNUzPM).
Name each object as a star, a planet or something else.
☀️ Sun 🌍 Earth 🌙 the Moon 🪐 Jupiter ☄️ a comet
Play the animation. Bust two myths as you watch.
The Sun sits at the centre; the planets orbit around it. Pluto is a dwarf planet.
Watch for: pupils thinking every dot of light in the sky is a planet, or that Pluto is still a planet.
Sort a few objects together before the independent task.
On your own. Tap each object into the right group, then write.
Tap an object to sort it…
Sort the objects. Then finish: The only star in the Solar System is the ____.
Sort them, then write one sentence explaining why Pluto is in the "other body" group.
Sort them, then explain the rule you used to tell a planet from a moon.
Answer at your tier, then hand it in.
A friend says "the Sun is a planet". Explain what is wrong, using the words star and orbit.