Solar System KS2: Planet Types & Ordering

KS2 Solar System Lesson: Learn planet order with mnemonics, categorise Rock, Gas, and Ice Giants, and design 3D models. Includes 4 worksheets and PPT!

Engage your class with a journey through the stars! This comprehensive resource, Part 1 of a larger Space Unit, is designed for learners aged 8–11 (KS2). It combines scientific inquiry with hands-on creativity, allowing students to explore the composition of our solar system before engaging in hands-on activities.

Unlock the mysteries of the Solar System with this comprehensive KS2 science resource! This lesson (Part 1) focuses on the physical characteristics of the eight planets, teaching pupils how to categorise them by their composition and remember their proximity to the Sun.

What’s Included?
This pack provides a complete toolkit for a 1.5–2 hour session:

Detailed Lesson Plan & Teacher Guide (.pdf): Clear instructions including science facts on gravity, the Milky Way, and the three planet types (Terrestrial, Gas Giants, and Ice Giants).

Classroom Presentation (.pptx): A visual guide to help pupils identify and sequence the planets correctly.

Worksheet 1: Mind-mapping prior knowledge about space.

Worksheet 2: Ordering planets and creating catchy mnemonics (e.g., “My Very Easy Method…”).

Worksheet 3: Categorising planets into Rock, Gas, and Ice groups.

Worksheet 4: Planning and designing a unique 3D planet model.

Classroom Application & Skills
This resource is designed to build a variety of UK National Curriculum skills:

Scientific Classification: Pupils analyse data to group planets by physical properties (Gas vs. Rock).
Literacy & Memory: Using mnemonics to improve information retention and creative writing.
Art & Design: Planning a 3D papier-mâché project, focusing on texture, scale, and colour.
Critical Thinking: Understanding the concept of gravity and how it keeps our solar system in place.

How to Use This Resource
Start with worksheet 1 to capture the knowledge children have about space, then at the end of the session they can add anything new that they have learnt. Next, start with the PowerPoint to introduce the concept of the “Solar System family.” Use Worksheets 2 and 3 to solidify the order and types of planets. Finish the session with Worksheet 4, which serves as the “blueprint” for a hands-on art and design project. This lesson is perfect for a Year 4, 5, or 6 Science unit on Earth and Space.

File Types Included: .pdf and .pptx

Classroom Applications & Skills
This resource is built to encourage cross-curricular learning across several key areas:

Science & Technology: Understanding planetary composition.
Expressive Arts: Designing and painting 3D models.
Literacy: Developing communication skills through group discussions and presentations.