Best for
Years 3-6 astronomy introductions, planet-order learning, and sky-observation discussion.
Science • Years 3-6 • Earth and space
The Solar System
Use this handout to help ākonga identify the Sun, planets, and orbits, and to connect classroom astronomy to sky observation in Aotearoa.
Free astronomy scaffold, premium local-sky path
This page already includes the planet-order task, comparison prompts, and response space. Te Wānanga can adapt it for local sky stories, bilingual astronomy language, or a younger visual version.
- Swap in local sky-observation prompts and class-ready vocabulary.
- Create a simplified planets-only version or an extension version with scale and orbit reasoning.
- Save the adapted sheet in My Kete and refine it later in Creation Studio.
Kaiako planning snapshot
- Use length: 30-45 minutes.
- Grouping: Whole-class model, then pairs for ordering and explanation.
- Prep: Optional planet images, scale objects, or a star-chart prompt.
- Teaching move: Keep the focus on system, order, and the Sun as the central star.
Resources already provided
- Core solar-system summary
- Planet-order task
- Comparison prompt
- Write-on explanation space
- Teacher-only curriculum companion
The core reading and response tasks are already on the page, so this can carry a full lesson or follow-up task.
Ngā Whāinga Akoranga / Learning Intentions
- We are learning what makes up our solar system.
- We are learning the order of the planets from the Sun.
- We are learning to connect astronomy ideas to real sky observation.
Paearu Angitu / Success Criteria
- I can name the Sun and the planets as parts of the solar system.
- I can place the planets in the correct order.
- I can explain one thing I know about our place in space.
Curriculum integration / Te Mātaiaho alignment
Use the companion page to connect this handout to earth-and-space science, observation, and culturally grounded sky-learning in Aotearoa.
Looking up from Aotearoa
The solar system is not just a diagram. It connects to what we can observe in the sky, how people have navigated and measured time, and how we understand our place in the universe.
A mātauranga Māori lens can sit naturally here through te rā, te marama, Matariki, and the long tradition of careful sky observation in Aotearoa.
Core idea
The Sun is our star
The solar system includes the Sun, planets, moons, and smaller objects that travel through space. The planets orbit the Sun, which gives light and heat.
Planet order
| Planet | Near, middle, or far from the Sun? | One fact or clue |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | ||
| Earth | ||
| Jupiter | ||
| Neptune |
Explain our place
What makes Earth special for us?
Write two or three sentences explaining where Earth sits in the solar system and why the Sun matters.
Support, core, stretch
Support
Use the sentence frame: “The Sun is important because...”
Core
Order the planets and explain one key fact about Earth’s place in the system.
Stretch
Explain why a model of the solar system is helpful but not perfectly to scale.
Students may respond through oral explanation, labelled diagrams, or short science writing.
Hononga Marautanga · Curriculum Alignment
Social Sciences — Tikanga ā-Iwi
Level 3–4: Investigate social, cultural, environmental, and economic questions; gather and evaluate evidence from diverse sources; communicate findings and reasoning clearly for different audiences and purposes.
English — Communication
Level 3–4: Read, interpret, and evaluate information texts; write clearly and purposefully for specific audiences; apply critical thinking skills to evaluate sources and construct well-reasoned responses.
Aronga Mātauranga Māori
This resource sits within a kaupapa that recognises mātauranga Māori as a living knowledge system with its own frameworks, values, and ways of understanding the world. The New Zealand Curriculum calls for learning that reflects the bicultural partnership of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which means every subject area has an obligation to engage authentically with Māori perspectives — not as cultural decoration but as substantive contributions to how we understand our topics. The concepts of manaakitanga (care for others), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), whanaungatanga (relationship and belonging), and tino rangatiratanga (self-determination) provide a values framework applicable across all learning areas, and all are relevant to the work in this handout.
Ngā Rauemi Tautoko · Support Materials
This handout is designed to be used alongside the broader unit resources available at Te Kete Ako handouts library. Related resources from the same unit are linked in the unit planner. All resources are provided — no additional preparation is required to use this handout in your classroom.