The Solar System · B5 Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B5.3.2.1.1 - Identify the components of the solar system (sun, earth, moon, other planets, satellite)

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Name the components of the solar system: the sun, the earth, the moon, the other planets, and satellites.
Describe the position of the sun as the centre of the solar system and the source of light and heat for all the planets.
Explain that planets are heavenly bodies that move around the sun, and that the earth takes one year to complete its journey around the sun.
Identify Venus as the brightest object in the sky, visible before sunset or several hours after sunrise.
Create a simple model or drawing of the solar system showing the sun, the earth, the moon and at least two other planets in their correct order.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Systems (Strand 3)
Sub-strand: The Solar System (3.2)
Content standard: B5.3.2.1 - Show understanding of the orderliness of the sun, planets and satellites in the solar system, as well as the important role of the sun in the existence of the solar system
Indicator: B5.3.2.1.1 - Identify the components of the solar system (sun, earth, moon, other planets, satellite)
Suggested placement: Term 2, Week 7 (Week 19 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.
Source document note: The official curriculum document has a fault in this entry, so the curriculum text above is transcribed exactly as printed:

core competencies - p.23: this cell prints "Core Competencies" and four names and then stops; unlike every other cell in B5 it has no "Subject Specific Practices" section at all
Curriculum reference: Science Curriculum (Basic 4-6), 2019, p. 23
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Present learners with a chart, model or video depicting the solar system or draw the solar system on the board, using different colours to illustrate the different bodies.
- Learners recite the poem, "I see the moon, and the moon sees me".
- Initiate a discussion on the importance of the sun to life on earth.
- Explain to the learners that the earth orbits (moves around) the sun, leading to changes in seasons (it takes a year for the earth to move around the sun).
- Learners are made to understand that heavenly bodies that move around the sun are called planets.
- Learners observe the planet Venus, the brightest object in the sky before sunset or several hours after sunrise.
- Learners are guided to role- play the sun and the planets in the solar system.
- Share folktales about the sun and moon with learners.
- Learners should understand that all the planets move around the sun.
- Learners to observe the planet Venus, the brightest object in the sky before sunset or several hours after sunrise.
Project: Planning, designing and making a model of the Solar System Learners build a model of the solar system using suitable materials such as blu
tack, clay, cardboard and wood. etc.