JHS1 Science · Term 2 Week 2: The Solar System

Lesson notes

Indicator: B7.3.2.1.2 - Discuss the properties and the relative motions of the planets Mercury and Venus

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

State at least five distinct properties of the planet Mercury, including its size, distance from the Sun, surface features, temperature and lack of atmosphere.
State at least five distinct properties of the planet Venus, including its size, distance from the Sun, thick atmosphere, temperature and surface pressure.
Describe the movement of Mercury and Venus around the Sun in terms of their orbits, orbital periods and spin directions.
Compare and contrast the properties and motions of Mercury and Venus using a table or diagram.
Explain why Mercury and Venus are called the “inner planets” and how their positions relative to Earth affect what we see from Ghana.

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Strand: Systems (Strand 3)
Sub-strand: The Solar System (3.2)
Content standard: B7.3.2.1 - Demonstrate knowledge of the inner planets of the solar system and understand their movement in the system
Indicator: B7.3.2.1.2 - Discuss the properties and the relative motions of the planets Mercury and Venus
Suggested placement: Term 2, Week 2 (Week 14 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: Science, Common Core Programme (JHS1-JHS3), 2023, p. 20
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

1. Outline properties peculiar to each of the planets Mercury and Venus.
2. Describe the movement of the planets Mercury and Venus around the Sun.