Review Concepts About the Earth, Sun, and Moon

What do students need to know about the Earth, sun, and moon? As students enter 2nd and 3rd grade, they begin to learn about the moon’s appearance, the planets’ order, and the results of Earth’s rotation and revolution. With this resource, students will be able to review these concepts with an engaging set of task cards.

To play, present the task cards to your students as a center, group activity, or SCOOT game. Students can record their answers on the answer key. 

Through this activity, students will demonstrate their understanding of the Sun, Earth, and Moon relationship, including orbits and positions.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your science lessons.

In addition to individual student work time, use this space and solar system activity to enhance learning through guided science groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need help understanding the concepts by inviting them to reference previous assignments, anchor charts, or posters. Additionally, this activity can be completed in a 1-on-1 setting or with a small group of students.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who finish quickly, encourage them to write a statement defending or justifying their answer.

🛴 Scoot Activity 

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answer in the corresponding space on their paper. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

👋 Exit Ticket 

Use these cards as a formative assessment after your lesson. Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Students can record their answers on a sheet of paper, sticky note, or their notebook. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the color PDF, black and white PDF, or editable Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download. 

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.  

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This resource was created by Bellamy Taylor-Pines, a teacher in Illinois and Teach Starter Collaborator.