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 teachers for your classroom!
Aligned with NGSS curriculum 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, including a definition of solar system to share with students and a look at the difference between this space concept and galaxies.
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 rotating 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 comprised 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 3,000!
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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Objects in the Sky – Instructional Slide Deck
Teach your students about the moon, sun, stars, and clouds with this 24-slide instructional slide deck.
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Objects in the Sky – Google Slides Interactive Activity
Demonstrate an understanding of the sun, moon, stars, and clouds with this interactive activity.
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Objects in the Sky – Worksheet Pack
Use this set of worksheets to practice identifying and labeling objects in the sky as well as describing the moon, stars, sun, and clouds.
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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 writing prompts.
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Moon Phases – Poster Set
Learn about the lunar cycle with this this set of posters showing the different phases of the moon.
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Phases of the Moon – Worksheet
Label the phases of the moon as they appear in the northern hemisphere with this printable science worksheet.
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Night and Day Word Wall
Use this set of word wall cards when teaching concepts and vocabulary related to Earth's day and night cycle.
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Solar and Lunar Eclipse Posters
Display these solar and lunar eclipse diagrams in your classroom when learning about the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and moon.
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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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The Solar System to Scale – Poster
Display information about the order, scale, and the diameter of the planets with this colorful science poster.
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Earth, Sun, and Moon – Poster Pack
Display these posters with information about the Earth, Sun, and moon in your science classroom.
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The Solar System – Cut and Paste Activity
Use this cut-and-paste activity to make a mini solar system book.
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Planets of the Solar System Factbook - Worksheet
Engage your students with a worksheet that can be compiled into a factbook containing information about the planets in the solar system.
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Formation of Earth – Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Use this reading comprehension activity that helps develop literacy skills and outlines the events and processes that led to the formation of our home planet.
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What Causes the Seasons? Mini-Book
Explore what causes the seasons on Earth to change with this printable mini-book.
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Moon Phases – Instructional Slide Deck
Learn about the different phases of the moon and how its appearance changes over time with this instructional slide deck.
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Cause of the Seasons – Word Wall Cards
Reinforce science vocabulary in your classroom with this set of word wall cards that focus on what causes the change of seasons.
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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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Moon Phases Mini-Book
Read, learn, and complete comprehension exercises while studying the 8 moon phases.
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Planets of Our Solar System – Worksheet
Use this worksheet to review planet order, features, and classifications.
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Planets Collaborative Coloring Display
Combine coloring with awareness of the planets and the solar system with this collaborative coloring sheet.
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Planets Flipbook
Discover each of the planets of the solar system with this engaging flip book template.
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Planet Facts Fan Booklet
Practice knowledge of the planets by creating this fun fan-style activity booklet.
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Planet Bookmark
Help students remember the order of the planets with these personalized planet bookmarks.
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Orbital Period of Planets Poster and Worksheet
Learn about the time it takes each planet to orbit the sun with this poster and cut-and-paste worksheet for your students.
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Earth, Sun, and Moon – Vocabulary Cards and Puzzles
Reinforce science vocabulary with this set of word wall cards and vocabulary puzzles covering the Earth, sun, and moon.
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Rotation and Revolution Bingo
Engage your students with a lively game of bingo while learning about Earth’s rotation and revolution.
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Objects in the Sky Bingo
Learn about different objects in the sky with a bingo game!
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Earth and Space Vocabulary Posters
Display this set of 18 mini-posters in your classroom when learning about Earth and space vocabulary.
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Objects in the Sky – Interactive Clip Cards
Practice identifying different objects in the sky and associated vocabulary terms with this set of 24 interactive clip cards.
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Objects in the Sky – Mini Workbook
Observe, describe, and illustrate different objects in the sky with this printable mini-workbook.
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Objects in the Sky Flipbook
Describe and illustrate different objects found in the sky with this printable science flipbook.