The Solar System

By: Annie Kissinger

Do you know any planets?
Write down any you know!
Letter to Fellow Teachers!
-This lesson would be for 1st graders learning about
science
-I chose this topic because I think it is a fun activity for
children to be engaged while learning about each
planet
-I think it’s important for each student to know a little
about the solar system and fun facts about the
planet they live on!
What are the planets?
-We live on planet EARTH

-All the countries in the world and

the oceans are on Earth

-Earth is 1 of 8 planets in our solar

system

-Our solar system includes all the

planets, stars, and the moon!

Click here to hear more

about the planets!
What makes the planets different from each other?
- Each planet has its own
characteristics
- Some planets:
- Have more moons than
others
- Have rings
- Are hotter than others
- Click here to learn
about each planet!
Earth
-This is where we live!

-Earth is the fifth largest planet of our solar system

-it has one large natural satellite, the Moon

- All planets were named after Roman and Greek gods and
goddesses except Earth.

-Earth means ground

-Earth it 70% water

-the only known place where life exists (that means humans and
animals!)
Mercury
- It is the closest planet to the Sun

- is only about as wide as the Atlantic Ocean

-18 Mercuries would fit into the Earth

-The planet does not have an atmosphere

- There is no water present on this

dangerous planet

-This is also the fastest planet

Venus
-Venus is named after the Roman goddess of
beauty

- Yellow clouds make up the planet

-It is the second brightest object in the night sky

after the Moon

-it is the hottest planet in the Solar system

The surface of Venus has thousands of volcanoes,

craters and super-high mountain ranges
Uranus
-Uranus is the second farthest planet from
the sun

-Uranus is a blue planet, not because of

water, but because of gases that make it
appear blue

- Uranus orbits on its side, which means that

its seasons are completely different to ours

-It’s summers and winters each take 21 years

at the north and south poles
Mars
-Mars has huge storms that occur sometimes over the
whole planet!

-Mars is very cold and dry but water exists in form of ice

-The surface of Mars has many craters, deep valleys and

volcanoes

-'Mons' is the Latin word for mountain

Mars has two moons called Phobos and Deimos

-Mars is known as the Red planet

Jupiter
-Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar
system

- The most famous feature on the surface

of the planet is the 'Great Red Spot' which
is actually a storm that has been blowing
for about 350 years

-Jupiter has some of the largest moons in

the Solar System
Saturn
-Saturn is a gas giant just like Jupiter, Neptune
and Uranus

- it is mainly made up of gases with a small

rocky core

-Saturn is the second largest planet

- it is known for its rings which can be seen the

clearest

-Saturn’s moon, Titan is the second largest in

the solar system
Neptune
-Neptune is closely related to Uranus

- the atmosphere is made up of almost the same gases

and just like Uranus

- Neptune also appears blue

Neptune gets its name from the Roman god of the sea

-Neptune is the furthest planet from the Sun

-it takes 165 years for Neptune to go once around the

Sun
Let’s Practice!

Click here to see what you learned about the planets!

Draw a picture of your favorite planet and explain why!

Draw here!
If you could create a planet what would it look like?

Draw one here!

Work with a Partner!
With a partner, try and come up with a song
to remember all 8 of the planets!