Lesson Plan
Space Adventure Squad
Students will be able to identify and name at least three planets in our solar system and understand that the sun is a star at the center.
This lesson is important to spark curiosity about space, introduce basic astronomy concepts, and develop early vocabulary related to the solar system. It encourages wonder and exploration from a young age.
Audience
Pre-K Small Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive storytelling and hands-on activities.
Materials
Small sun cutout or yellow ball, 8 planet cutouts or colored balls of varying sizes, Solar System Slide Deck, Planet Matching Game, and Space Adventure Script
Prep
Gather Materials & Review Resources
15 minutes
- Gather a small yellow ball or sun cutout and 8 various colored/sized balls or planet cutouts.
- Review the Solar System Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the visuals.
- Print and cut out the pieces for the Planet Matching Game.
- Read through the Space Adventure Script to prepare for guiding the discussion and activities.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Our Star, The Sun (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin by holding up the sun cutout/ball and asking students if they know what it is.
- Explain that it's our sun, a giant star that gives us light and keeps us warm.
- Ask, "What do you know about the sun?" Encourage short responses.
- Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 1 to introduce the sun.
Step 2
Introducing the Planets (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Explain that things orbit around the sun. These are called planets.
- Introduce each planet one by one using the planet cutouts/balls and the Solar System Slide Deck (Slides 2-9).
- For each planet, say its name clearly and one simple, memorable fact (e.g., "Mercury is super hot!").
- Have students repeat the name of each planet.
- Arrange the planet cutouts in order around the sun as you introduce them.
Step 3
Activity: Planet Matching Game (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the Planet Matching Game pieces.
- Guide students to match the planets. Offer verbal cues and help as needed.
- Reinforce planet names and order during the game.
Step 4
Cool-Down: Share Your Favorite (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Ask each student to share their favorite planet and why.
- Briefly review the names of the planets once more as a group.
- Congratulate them on being
Step 5
Cool-Down: Share Your Favorite (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Ask each student to share their favorite planet and why.
- Briefly review the names of the planets once more as a group.
- Congratulate them on being
Slide Deck
Welcome, Space Adventurers!
Are you ready for a journey to outer space?
Welcome the students and introduce the exciting topic of space! Ask them if they've ever looked up at the night sky. Keep it short and engaging.
Our Giant Star: The Sun!
The sun is super big and bright! It keeps us warm.
Introduce the sun as a big star and the center of our solar system. Emphasize that it gives us light and warmth.
Meet Mercury!
Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. It's super fast and super hot!
Introduce Mercury. Mention it's close to the sun and very hot.
Hello, Venus!
Venus is very bright and very, very hot. Even hotter than Mercury!
Introduce Venus. Mention it's also very hot and bright.
Our Home: Earth!
This is our amazing home, Earth! It has water and plants and animals.
Introduce Earth. Emphasize that it's our home planet and has water and life.
Red Planet: Mars!
Mars is a red planet. Sometimes it's called the 'Red Planet'!
Introduce Mars. Mention its red color.
Giant: Jupiter!
Jupiter is the biggest planet in our solar system. Wow, it's huge!
Introduce Jupiter. Emphasize its size as the biggest planet.
Ringed Wonder: Saturn!
Saturn has beautiful rings around it. They are made of ice and rock.
Introduce Saturn. Highlight its beautiful rings.
Tilted Giant: Uranus!
Uranus is a blue-green planet that spins on its side!
Introduce Uranus. Mention its blue-green color and how it spins.
Far Away: Neptune!
Neptune is very far away from the sun, so it's super cold!
Introduce Neptune. Mention it's the farthest and very cold.
What an Adventure!
You've traveled all across our solar system! Great job, Space Adventurers!
Conclude by reiterating the planets and the sun, encouraging wonder.
Activity
Planet Matching Game
Objective: To help students recognize and name the planets by matching pictures to names.
Materials:
- Printed copies of the game cards (provided below)
- Scissors
Preparation:
- Print out the game cards provided below. You might want to print them on thicker paper or laminate them for durability.
- Carefully cut out each planet picture card and each planet name card.
- Shuffle the cards.
How to Play:
- Place all the planet picture cards face up on a table or the floor.
- Place all the planet name cards face down in a separate pile.
- Students take turns picking a name card. They read the name (or the teacher helps them read it).
- Then, they try to find the matching planet picture card.
- If they make a match, they keep the pair! If not, they put the name card back face down.
- Continue until all matches are made.
Game Cards (Cut out along the lines)
Planet Picture Cards:
- [Picture of Sun]
(Teacher can draw a simple sun or print an image) - [Picture of Mercury]
(Teacher can draw a simple planet or print an image) - [Picture of Venus]
(Teacher can draw a simple planet or print an image) - [Picture of Earth]
(Teacher can draw a simple planet or print an image) - [Picture of Mars]
(Teacher can draw a simple planet or print an image) - [Picture of Jupiter]
(Teacher can draw a simple planet or print an image) - [Picture of Saturn]
(Teacher can draw a simple planet or print an image) - [Picture of Uranus]
(Teacher can draw a simple planet or print an image) - [Picture of Neptune]
(Teacher can draw a simple planet or print an image)
Planet Name Cards:
- Sun
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
Script
Space Adventure Script
Introduction: Welcome, Space Adventurers! (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 1)
(Teacher says): "Hello, amazing Space Adventurers! Are you ready for a super exciting journey? Today, we're going to blast off into outer space and learn about our amazing solar system! Who's ready for an adventure?"
(Teacher asks): "What do you think we might see in space?"
Warm-Up: Our Star, The Sun (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 2 and a sun cutout/ball)
(Teacher says): "Look at this big, bright ball! Does anyone know what this is?" (Hold up the sun cutout/ball).
(Teacher waits for responses, then says): "That's right! It's our Sun! The Sun is a super-duper giant star. It's so big and bright, and it gives us all the light and warmth we need down here on Earth! Isn't that incredible?"
(Teacher asks): "What does the sun do for us?"
Introducing the Planets (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slides 3-10 and planet cutouts/balls)
(Teacher says): "Guess what? Around our big sun, there are lots of other amazing things flying! They are called planets! And we're going to meet each one, one by one. They all have special names and special looks!"
1. Mercury (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 3)
(Teacher says): "First up is Mercury! Can you say Mercury?" (Pause for students to repeat). "Mercury is super close to the sun, so it gets really, really hot! It also moves super fast!"
2. Venus (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 4)
(Teacher says): "Next is Venus! Say Venus!" (Pause). "Venus is also very hot and bright! It's like a shining star in the night sky sometimes, but it's actually a planet!"
3. Earth (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 5)
(Teacher says): "Look! This is our amazing home! It's called Earth! Can you say Earth?" (Pause). "Earth is special because it has water and plants and animals, and US! It's the only planet where we know living things can be!"
4. Mars (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 6)
(Teacher says): "After Earth, we have Mars! Say Mars!" (Pause). "Mars is often called the Red Planet because it looks all red and dusty! It's very cold and has lots of rocks."
5. Jupiter (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 7)
(Teacher says): "Whoa, look at this one! This is Jupiter! Jupiter is the biggest planet of all! It's so, so big that many Earths could fit inside it! Can you imagine?"
6. Saturn (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 8)
(Teacher says): "This beautiful planet is Saturn! Say Saturn!" (Pause). "Saturn has special rings around it! These rings are made of tiny pieces of ice and rock, making it look super fancy!"
7. Uranus (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 9)
(Teacher says): "Next, we have Uranus! It's a blue-green planet, and guess what? It spins on its side! Like a rolling ball! Can you say Uranus?" (Pause).
8. Neptune (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 10)
(Teacher says): "And finally, way, way out there, is Neptune! Say Neptune!" (Pause). "Neptune is super, super far from the sun, so it's very, very cold. It's a big blue giant!"
(Teacher guides students to arrange planet cutouts/balls in order around the sun as they are introduced).
Activity: Planet Matching Game (Use Planet Matching Game materials)
(Teacher says): "You all are doing such a great job learning about the planets! Now, let's play a game to see if you can remember their names! We're going to play the Planet Matching Game!"
(Teacher explains game rules as described in the Planet Matching Game document).
Cool-Down: Share Your Favorite (Use Solar System Slide Deck - Slide 11)
(Teacher says): "Wow, what an amazing journey through our solar system! You are all incredible Space Adventurers!"
(Teacher asks each student individually): "What was your favorite planet we learned about today, and why?"
(Teacher concludes): "You all did a wonderful job exploring space today! Give yourselves a big pat on the back! Keep looking up at the sky, because there's so much more to discover!"