Solar System Teaching Resources
Rocket your students into your next space lesson with solar system projects and diagrams, activities designed around the planets and moon phases, and hundreds more teaching resources created by teachers for your classroom!
Aligned with NGSS curriculum standards, each solar system-focused teacher resource has undergone the Teach Starter teacher team's thorough review process to ensure it's ready to use in your classroom.
This collection of curriculum-aligned teaching resources makes teaching about the planets, sun, moon, and the rest of the galaxy easy with editable templates that can be easily adapted to differentiate instruction for your individual students.
New to this part of the science curriculum or just looking for fresh ideas to inspire kids about space? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a definition of solar system to share with students and a look at the difference between this space concept and galaxies.
What Is the Solar System? A Kid-Friendly Definition
To start you off, our teacher team has created a definition you can use in the classroom to introduce the solar system to your students.
The solar system is made up of a single star with planets rotating around it.
The solar system that we call home has the sun at the center — yes, the sun is a star! — and it includes planet Earth, plus other planets, moons, asteroids, comets and other outer space objects.
The sun, which is seen at left, is the only star in our solar system.
Solar System vs. Galaxy — What's the Difference?
If a solar system is comprised of the sun and the planets, what's a galaxy?
The easiest way to explain the difference between these two is to tell your class that a galaxy is a gigantic group of solar systems, all gathered together.
Kids can think of the galaxy as a big, extended family of solar systems.
Earth is located in the Milky Way galaxy, which includes a huge number of different solar systems — more than 3,000!
How Many Planets Are in Our Solar System?
The solar system that we call home as residents of Earth is made up of eight planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — plus one dwarf planet, Pluto!
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Rotation vs. Revolution – Sorting Activity
Determine if examples are due to Earth’s rotation or revolution with this sorting activity.
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Moon Phases Mini-Book
Read, learn, and complete comprehension exercises while studying the 8 moon phases.
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Planets of Our Solar System – Teaching Presentation
Practice identifying the planets in Earth's solar system and their position in relation to the Sun with this 21-slide presentation.
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Planet Research Templates
Explore the planets with these printable planet research templates to use with your students.
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Design a Planet Project
Explore the different planets during this design your own planet project for kids.
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Order the Planets Worksheet
Help students remember the order of the planets with this cut-and-paste style worksheet.
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Planets Flipbook
Discover each of the planets of the solar system with this engaging flip book template.
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Earth, Sun, and Moon – Vocabulary Cards and Puzzles
Reinforce science vocabulary with this set of word wall cards and vocabulary puzzles covering the Earth, sun, and moon.
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Objects in the Sky – Exit Tickets
Assess understanding of different objects in the sky with this set of 24 exit tickets.
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Rotation and Revolution Bingo
Engage your students with a lively game of bingo while learning about Earth’s rotation and revolution.
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Space - Word Wall Vocabulary
Use these space vocabulary words and space terms to unlock the solar system for your elementary students as they learn about space, the solar system, and the world far beyond your school.
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Objects in the Sky Flipbook
Describe and illustrate different objects found in the sky with this printable science flipbook.
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Objects in the Sky – Google Slides Interactive Activity
Demonstrate an understanding of the sun, moon, stars, and clouds with this interactive activity.
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Earth, Sun, and Moon – Comprehension Worksheet
Read about and compare physical characteristics of the Eath, sun, and moon with this reading comprehension sheet.
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Objects in the Sky – Sorting Activity
Determine if statements about different objects in the sky are true or false with this sorting activity.
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Phases of the Moon – Worksheet
Label the phases of the moon as they appear in the northern hemisphere with this printable science worksheet.
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Moon Phases Diagram
Learn about the position of the moon and its phases as it orbits the Earth with this illustrated diagram.
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Day and Night Worksheets
Use this set of printable worksheets to encourage students to think about the differences between night and day.
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The Solar System to Scale – Poster
Display information about the order, scale, and the diameter of the planets with this colorful science poster.
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What Causes the Seasons? Mini-Book
Explore what causes the seasons on Earth to change with this printable mini-book.
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Moon Phases – Instructional Slide Deck
Learn about the different phases of the moon and how its appearance changes over time with this instructional slide deck.
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Cause of the Seasons – Task Cards
Demonstrate an understanding of what causes the seasons with this set of 24 task cards.
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We Are Moving – Planet Project Bundle
Use this printable Earth and Space project teaching resource bundle to create projects that develop knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts, research skills and writing skills.
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3D Astronaut Template
Create astronauts with this 3D net.
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All About the Sun – Comprehension Worksheet
Integrate science and reading while learning about the Sun with this comprehension worksheet.
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Our Solar System - Interactive and Printable Cloze Reading Activity
Practice and review concepts associated with the solar system using a cloze passage.
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Space Adventure Board Game
Review the order of the planets with a fun space adventure board game.
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Planet Mini-Book Collection
Read and learn about the planets of our solar system with this collection of 8 mini-books.
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Planet Project Template
Practice research skills by exploring each planet and creating a visual display of information.
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What Causes the Seasons? Informative Text Writing Task
Use this scaffolded writing task to have students write about how seasons change.
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Changing Shadows – Science Experiment
A science experiment which explores how shadows change throughout the day.
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The Solar System in Our Space – Mathematics Investigation
A mathematics investigation about number and the scale of the solar system, embedded in a real-world context.