Classroom Activities: Solar System

These classroom activities are designed to complement the Solar System topic on BrainPOP Jr.

Planetarium
If possible visit a natural history museum or planetarium together and explore. Many museums have programs, activities, and guided tours for students. Before leaving for your field trip, discuss the Solar System and have students come up with questions they would like to ask or find the answers to as they explore the museum. You may also want students to research space phenomena that was not discussed during class. Students can take notes and draw pictures and share what they learned with the whole class.

Planet Project
Divide the class into pairs or small groups and have them prepare a presentation and a poster on a planet or celestial body, such as a comet or asteroid. They can visit the library to find images of their planets and look up more information, such as surface temperature, diameter, and distance from the Sun. Would they like to live on their planet? Why or why not?

Star Stories
Many cultures and communities have folk tales about how the Moon, Sun, and stars came to be. As a reading and social studies connection, have your students look up different folk tales and retell them to the whole class. You may also want to choose a book to read together or have students create stories of their own. Encourage them to be creative and illustrate their stories.

People Planets
Help your students remember significant features and the order of the planets by “acting out” the Solar System. Create groups of nine or more students and assign a planet or celestial body to each group. For homework ask your students to prepare a costume and a small speech to help others identify their planet. Finally, have each group work together to act out the orbit of their planets for the class or another class in the school.