The Bridge V Learning Edition 1 ; our solar system | Page 25

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Sun
Planets
Solar System
Materials
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Plastic planets (Box)
Plastic Sun (Box)
Paint and brush (Box)
Planet pictures (flat) (Box)
Clay, cotton, papier mâché
Learning Objectives
Learn about the sizes and order of the planets in the Solar System.
Background Science
See introduction 4.1
Full description
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The instructor and a small group of children should initially paint the plastic spheres
according to the pictures of the planets: Mercury (3.5 mm), Venus (10 mm), Earth (10
mm), Mars (5 mm), Jupiter (100 mm), Saturn (85 mm), Uranus (35 mm) and Neptune
(35 mm), and Sun (150 mm).
Note that the sizes of the planetary spheres are not all to scale, so that they can be handled
better by the students.
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Let all spheres dry.
Next, draw concentric circles at the outer edge of Saturn’s plastic ring. Pull the ring
over Saturn and fix it at its equator.
Using the plastic spheres and the pictures of the planets, together with the children,
create models of the planets and Sun by making balls of cotton, clay, or papier
mâché. Use the table in activity 4.6 if you would like them to use the exact diameter
(to scale).
Place all planets on the table in the right order