Solar System Teaching Resources
Rocket your students into your next space lesson with solar system projects and diagrams, activities designed around the planets and moon phases, and hundreds more teaching resources created by primary teachers for your classroom!
Aligned with Australian science standards, each solar system-focused teacher resource has undergone the Teach Starter teacher team's thorough review process to ensure it's ready to use in your classroom.
This collection of curriculum-aligned teaching resources makes teaching about the planets, sun, moon, and the rest of the galaxy easy with editable templates that can be easily adapted to differentiate instruction for your individual students.
New to this part of the science curriculum or just looking for fresh ideas to inspire kids about space? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Is the Solar System? A Kid-Friendly Definition
To start you off, our teacher team has created a definition you can use in the classroom to introduce the solar system to your students.
The solar system is made up of a single star with planets orbiting around it.
The solar system that we call home has the sun at the center — yes, the sun is a star! — and it includes planet Earth, plus other planets, moons, asteroids, comets and other outer space objects.
The sun, which is seen at left, is the only star in our solar system.
Solar System vs. Galaxy — What's the Difference?
If a solar system is made up of the sun and the planets, what's a galaxy?
The easiest way to explain the difference between these two is to tell your class that a galaxy is a gigantic group of solar systems, all gathered together.
Kids can think of the galaxy as a big, extended family of solar systems.
Earth is located in the Milky Way galaxy, which includes a huge number of different solar systems — more than 3000!
How Many Planets Are in Our Solar System?
The solar system that we call home as residents of Earth is made up of eight planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — plus one dwarf planet, Pluto!
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Earth's Rotation – Flipbook
Model and explain how Earth’s rotation causes the sun to move across the sky with this interactive flipbook.
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Moon Facts Writing Template
Describe and illustrate information about the moon with a printable writing template.
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The Solar System - Planets in Order
Show the planets in order with this beautifully designed printable science poster.
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The Daytime Sky - Worksheet
Explores features of the daytime sky with this one-page worksheet.
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Earth, Sun and Moon Pictures
Colourful pictures of the sun, Earth and moon.
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Planet Bookmark
Help students remember the order of the planets with these personalised planet bookmarks.
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Phases of the Moon – Journal Project
Observe, describe and record patterns of the lunar cycle with this moon-tracking project.
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Earth, Sun and Moon – Comprehension Worksheet
Read about and compare physical characteristics of the Eath, sun and moon with this reading comprehension sheet.
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What Causes the Seasons to Change? – Teaching Presentation
Explore what causes the seasons to change and learn about solstices and equinoxes with this teaching presentation.
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Space Adventure Board Game
Review the order of the planets with a fun space adventure board game.
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Planet Puzzle Match-Up Activity
Use your knowledge of the solar system to complete 8 different planet puzzles.
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Why Teach About Aboriginal Astronomy? Poster
An educational poster providing a rationale for teaching Australian children about Aboriginal astronomy.
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The Nighttime Sky - Worksheet
Explore features of the nighttime sky with this one-page worksheet.
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Day and Night, Night and Day Worksheet
Compare day and night with this one-page worksheet.
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Objects in the Sky – Writing Prompts
Describe objects in the sky, such as the clouds, moon and sun, with this set of 8 space science writing prompts.
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All About Stars – Mini-Book
Learn about the stars in the night sky with this printable mini-book designed for year 1 and 2 students.
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Rotation vs. Revolution – Sorting Activity
Determine if examples are due to Earth’s rotation or revolution with this sorting activity.
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Phases of the Moon Class Display
Learn about the phases of this moon with an out-of-this-world classroom display.
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Oreo® Moon Phases Worksheet
Explore moon phases with Oreos® in this tasty worksheet.
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Moon Phases – Teaching Presentation
Learn about the different phases of the moon and how its appearance changes over time with this teaching presentation.
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We Are Moving Project
An Earth and Space project that develops knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts, research skills and writing skills.
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Planet Facts Fan Booklet
Practise knowledge of the planets by creating this fun fan-style activity booklet.
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Objects in the Sky – Exit Tickets
Assess understanding of different objects in the sky with this set of 24 exit tickets.
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Objects in the Sky – Write the Room Activity
Improve your students’ understanding of science vocabulary terms that relate to objects in the sky with this 'Write the Room’ activity.
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Objects in the Sky – Sorting Activity
Determine if statements about different objects in the sky are true or false with this sorting activity.
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Objects in the Sky – Vocabulary Cards and Writing Templates
Create a vocabulary and writing center with a word wall and writing templates that cover objects in the sky.
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Night and Day Word Wall
A set of vocabulary words related to night and day.
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Snapshots of the Moon – Moon Tracking Booklet
Obverse the moon over the course of the month and chart observations with this moon phases mini-book.
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Moon Phases Mini-Book
Read, learn and complete comprehension exercises while studying the 8 moon phases.
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Moon Phases – Vocabulary Cards
Reinforce science vocabulary with a set of 15 vocabulary cards covering the different phases of the moon and related terms.
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Moon Phases Tic-Tac-Toe (Small Group)
Identify and remember the different phases of the moon with this small group tic-tac-toe game.
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Planet Mini-Book Collection
Read and learn about the planets of our solar system with this collection of 8 mini-books.