Planets in our Solar System Card sort and accompanying worksheet.

I like to use this resource to primarily teach KS3 students about the planets in our solarsystem.

Firstly I give them the planet picture cards, planet name cards and planet info cards and ask them to try and match them up. This is a great way to root out what they already know about this topic. (They tend to get the pictures of the planets muddled up).

Secondly I ask them to read the information on the planet info cards and use this to start to place them in order from closest to furthest from the Sun.

Finally I give them the worksheet which requires them to answer the questions using the information from the planet info cards.

To round off I show few suitable youtube videos on the scale and size of the planets in our solarsystem and essentially the lesson is complete.

Why I like using this resource:

1. Promotes group working
2. Encourages students to read to find the information for themselves (For weaker students I choose volunteers to read sections as a whole class)
3. Student focussed activity freeing up the teacher to circle the room and support the learning.