The solar system
Describe the sun, Earth, and moon as approximately spherical bodies, and describe the movement of the Earth and other planets orbiting the sun in the solar system
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“The Sun, Earth and Moon are approximately spherical: like balls, not flat circles. A page circle stands for a three-dimensional body. The eight planets orbit the Sun. Earth’s Moon orbits Earth while Earth and Moon also travel around the Sun. A simple diagram can show these relationships without showing true sizes or distances. Safety: Paper labels only; no small balls needed and no Sun viewing. Stop: Stop at the model relationships. No exact orbit period, size calculation or ninth-planet search is required.”
Bring to the table
- Paper
- Pencil
- Nine paper labels and one smaller Moon label
Extra for the adult
Worked example. The Moon goes on a small path around Earth, not a ninth planet path. It orbits Earth as both travel around the Sun. Its large drawn path is not a scale distance.
Optional challenge. Explain why this drawing can be correct about order but inaccurate about spacing.
What to notice. Keep the labelled model. Note whether the learner used the supplied order while placing or retelling names.
Share and support
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
NASA Space Place · Practice link — not the full lesson
Moon
Before you open · source notes
Moon supports The solar system. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.
Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public NASA Space Place page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
NASA Space Place. “Moon.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- State that the sun, Earth, and moon are approximately spherical
- Name the planets in order from the sun and explain they all orbit the sun
- Describe the moon orbiting the Earth while both orbit the sun
“Can your child describe the solar system — how Earth and the other planets orbit the sun, and how the moon orbits Earth, and that they're all roughly ball-shaped?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Space Systems & Earth's History
- Age range
- Ages 9–12
Standards