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I am a teacher candidate and have not had many opportunities to teach yet. However, when I worked in the early childhood field, I did do a week unit on space. We made rocket ship kites and space slime. But, my favourite activity of them all was the water bin I made. I used large styrofoam balls and painted them to resemble planets. The water was dyed dark purple/blue and had some glitter in it. It was a hit! The children loved it. So, with such a beautiful subject such as space and astral science, the only wrong way to teach it is to not teach it at all, or solely lecture on the topic. Make it engaging! Have the children inquire and explore!

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I think a great way to engage in learning is by using physical models or getting the students to move around and understand the scale of the solar system. A method that does not help them learn is by just lecturing them or just showing videos without getting them to reflect on it.

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I teach the solar system through modeling of the sun moon and different galaxy. I equally us discussion method make the students part of the lesson.

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I teach the solar system through modeling of the sun moon and different galaxy. I equally us discussion method make the students part of the lesson.

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I use a variety of resources, but still love a Styrofoam sphere as the moon, a light as the sun, and a ball of clay on a small stick as the earth. Students learn a lot by rotating and revolving these objects.

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Videos, and if we do have same materiels or others we can do some experiments !

using a telescope and explaining how it works ( the simplest way of course )

Maybe doing some kind of puzzles( with big pieces) of solar system, so they can create one !

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Tier one- videos

Tier two- explore physical models

Tier three- Creation/participation (chalk or light activities)

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I teach circus to French children and adults. Recently I wanted to include space science through physical activities. We used the juggling balls in little coloured juggling scarves to make comets and planets. 

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I teach circus to French children and adults. Recently I wanted to include space science through physical activities. We used the juggling balls in little coloured juggling scarves to make comets and planets. 

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I use a curtain like cloth that has a space picture on it with the moon in the center and we put light weight balls on it and shake it up and down. When the children shake it too much the balls roll off and go all over the floor like asteroids or stars in a solar system.

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Educator Guide: Moon Phases | NASA/JPL Edu

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Students learn about the phases of the moon by acting them out.

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I teach STEM to ESL students in Vietnam. During ‘World Space Week’ students did a variety of activities, such as: a build a rocket engineering challenge, turning Codey Rocky robots into moon rovers which collected moon rocks, making ‘robot hands’ (for rovers) and learning the names of the planets and more about each planet. Students also learnt about the upcoming Artemis launch. 🚀

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I like to give the children as many opportunities for practical work and modelling - particularly when concepts can be difficult.  Space science also lends itself to research.  One successful lesson, we'd researched the distance of the planets from the sun.  We then used our maths skills to create a value in cm that we could measure on the playground.  Then in groups, the students had to stick planets  in a line, according to their distance from the sun (using the previous calculations).

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I like to give the children as many opportunities for practical work and modelling - particularly when concepts can be difficult.  Space science also lends itself to research.  One successful lesson, we'd researched the distance of the planets from the sun.  We then used our maths skills to create a value in cm that we could measure on the playground.  Then in groups, the students had to stick planets  in a line, according to their distance from the sun (using the previous calculations).

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Here is a photo I took the other week of a lesson I did with my class. I gave them
Some chalk and string and got them to draw the orbits of the planets around the sun on the playground floor.

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I ask students to give me information and questions they have about astronomy. These can be discussed and examined further. Some may be turned into experiments. I try to organise excursions and incursions which are space related.

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I ask students to give me information and questions they have about astronomy. These can be discussed and examined further. Some may be turned into experiments. I try to organise excursions and incursions which are space related.

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I usually teach the subject on space using videos and models. If time permits, it would be great if the kids make their own model and learn by hands-on experience.

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TEACH SPACE SCIENCE AND ASTRONOMY FOR KIDS 

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TEACH SPACE SCIENCE AND ASTRONOMY FOR KIDS 

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For the teach of science to children is important make it in dynamic form or with anime form in videos, the children see this very interesting because increment the couriosity of student and genere can go more to deeped of theme for the student want know and understand about science.

HERE A SERIES OF VIDEOS SPECIAL FOR THE CHILDREN ABOUT OF ASTRNONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE

I recommende this serie videos for the teachers and student of primary.

From European Space Agency

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Show them videos and perform role plays to introduce the position of planets

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Well, What I did it was show them a short video about the importance of knowing about our earth and universe. Then I applied different topics related to solar system through handicrafts and experiments in order to students engaged in the topic

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Well, What I did it was show them a short video about the importance of knowing about our earth and universe. Then I applied different topics related to solar system through handicrafts and experiments in order to students engaged in the topic

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I enjoy starting our space science unit with students telling me their cosmic address, working backwards from universe to the exact seat they are sitting in. We the. Use Google Earth to locate the school, as we zoom out we make notes of things we can see (natural vs human made)from 10m 100m 1000m etc. eventually we see less and less human made objects and all natural.

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I discussed this topic once and I came up using a lot of videos that could help me explain the phenomenon on how solar system started

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I discussed this topic once and I came up using a lot of videos that could help me explain the phenomenon on how solar system started

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I have not teach the subject yet, but I ma really keen to go back to the basics of the sciences of space to fully comprehend the workings of our universe and beyond

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I have not teach the subject yet, but I ma really keen to go back to the basics of the sciences of space to fully comprehend the workings of our universe and beyond

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Making a tricky questions to attract their attention and curiosity then start a discussion about our topic with slides and videos and finish our class with some funny paper activities or crafs. 

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Making a tricky questions to attract their attention and curiosity then start a discussion about our topic with slides and videos and finish our class with some funny paper activities or crafs. 

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I support Teaching by asking pupils questions around topics I have researched.
Questions get them thinking and talking.

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I HAVEN'T TAUGHT PROFFESIONALY YET BUT I WILL SOMEODAY I ONLY TEACH TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CURIOUS AND ASK FOR IT.ILIKE DOING THAT AND THE MORE I TEACH TO SOMEONE ELSE AND SHARE MYKNOWLEGDE THE MORE I GET GOOD IN THE PARTICULAR TOPIC/SUBJECT AND EVEN MORE CONIDENT.

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I HAVEN'T TAUGHT PROFFESIONALY YET BUT I WILL SOMEODAY I ONLY TEACH TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CURIOUS AND ASK FOR IT.ILIKE DOING THAT AND THE MORE I TEACH TO SOMEONE ELSE AND SHARE MYKNOWLEGDE THE MORE I GET GOOD IN THE PARTICULAR TOPIC/SUBJECT AND EVEN MORE CONIDENT.

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I haven't taught it yet, but a thing I've done from time to time is give them the original meanings from Greek and Latin. It worked for a number of kids who would get confused on what a planet actually is.

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I haven't taught it yet, but a thing I've done from time to time is give them the original meanings from Greek and Latin. It worked for a number of kids who would get confused on what a planet actually is.

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Show a lot if images, get students to start thiking by asking many questions. Take them to a planetorium, museum.

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Show a lot if images, get students to start thiking by asking many questions. Take them to a planetorium, museum.

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I use a a range of resources including models, videos, website and text books. It can also be fun to get the kids up and moving while they act out the movement of the plants in the solar system

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I introduce space science to the children by using videos and creating models also playing some games to make it interesting.

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I introduce space science to the children by using videos and creating models also playing some games to make it interesting.

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I get the children to be planets themselves. the physicalness of the lessons can help with imagery, and with remembering the different facts.

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Get the children involved in creating models of the solar system and use that throughout the whole unit....so show the scale of the sun, moon, planets, etc. Show the children how to use the model to explain what causes day/night, seasons, years. Encourage them to share this informatio with their parents.  

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Get the children involved in creating models of the solar system and use that throughout the whole unit....so show the scale of the sun, moon, planets, etc. Show the children how to use the model to explain what causes day/night, seasons, years. Encourage them to share this informatio with their parents.  

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Brain Pop is one of my favourite websites to use when starting a new topic and the Science videos are very good. There is a quiz after every video to check for understanding, as well as vocabulary review and an activity you can print off. Brain PopJr for K-3, and Brain Pop for 4-8 grade

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Brain Pop is one of my favourite websites to use when starting a new topic and the Science videos are very good. There is a quiz after every video to check for understanding, as well as vocabulary review and an activity you can print off. Brain PopJr for K-3, and Brain Pop for 4-8 grade

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As a science museum we offer different lessons on all aspects of science geared to primary school, high school and some for students who are becoming teachers. Most of the resourses are in Dutch, so not very helpful to share.

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As a science museum we offer different lessons on all aspects of science geared to primary school, high school and some for students who are becoming teachers. Most of the resourses are in Dutch, so not very helpful to share.

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I get information from websites, get images about solar system and find demonstrations online.

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I painted myself the solar sistem, and I use lots of books.

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I painted myself the solar sistem, and I use lots of books.

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HANDS ON!  Hands on is the very best way to teach and learn!  In teaching science I have used videos, pictures, and books but the very best is making and using models, art, engineering, experiments and I have bought "space food" which they can suck from a bag like astronauts do.  It was a huge hit as were the rocket launching experiments.  I hated science as a child, it was looking at books and listening to a teacher drone on, it wasn't until I became a teacher myself that the wonderful world of science became known.

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HANDS ON!  Hands on is the very best way to teach and learn!  In teaching science I have used videos, pictures, and books but the very best is making and using models, art, engineering, experiments and I have bought "space food" which they can suck from a bag like astronauts do.  It was a huge hit as were the rocket launching experiments.  I hated science as a child, it was looking at books and listening to a teacher drone on, it wasn't until I became a teacher myself that the wonderful world of science became known.

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I'm still currently in university and I haven't had the chance to teach much of anything yet! Reading through this is certainly helpful though!

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I always start with asking the children what they already know. This could be in the form of a KWL sheet or post-it notes on a learning wall. I try to use as much visual material as possible (photos, PPT, videos etc.) to engage all leaners but especially EAL pupils. As we generally follow the principles of PYP, we usual begin with a powerful 'entry point' which could be a trip to a planetarium or last year we held a mock NASA training camp!

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Usually I'll start with simple activities such as tangram, then I'll do the explanation through power point which I also encourage them to ask question. We will do a bit quiz after that to test their understanding.

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Usually I'll start with simple activities such as tangram, then I'll do the explanation through power point which I also encourage them to ask question. We will do a bit quiz after that to test their understanding.

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This is the first time I am going to teach this topic in class, that is going of the reasons of taking this course.

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This is the first time I am going to teach this topic in class, that is going of the reasons of taking this course.

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I use audio-visual aids so that students can see and listen when they learn. I use videos, images and simulation apps. I also use websites when needed. I ask students before each lesson to test their prior knowledge and brainstorm them. Then, we discuss and learn the new lesson. After each lesson, we reflect what we learn and summarize our lesson.

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Using experiments, visual aids, videos, trips, hands on learning to help engage children in science. I use songs to help memorise planets and elements.

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Using primary connections science books in Australia really helps to teach scientific concepts. In my experience I haven't been required to teach much science because and some schools it is a specialist subject where another teacher will teach it.

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We do experiments, watch interesting videos, and always ask our children what they already know ( to check any misconceptions). They share their ideas, and the teacher encourages the children to participate. Their answers are always welcome, no matter if they were right or not. Then, go through the lesson and see what we already knew and which thing we did not get right. They also love to work on their projects. Finally, they take a test, and they can use their notes.

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We teach the planets, solar system and humans in space using videos, interviews, making top trump cards of the planets and the sun. I start off as if we're on a journey and the children use their imagination as we travel to the various planets. Since delving into enquiry based learning I have other methods to try next time I teach this topic. We also keep a calendar of the moon to look at it's phases. 

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We teach the planets, solar system and humans in space using videos, interviews, making top trump cards of the planets and the sun. I start off as if we're on a journey and the children use their imagination as we travel to the various planets. Since delving into enquiry based learning I have other methods to try next time I teach this topic. We also keep a calendar of the moon to look at it's phases. 

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I use a mixture of clips and videos, up to date space news from NASA and ESA. I also do a lot of practical activities. Fruit Solar System, Toilet Roll Solar System etc. I use Flipgrid for children to present research and we design a Mars Lander or Moon Base most years. 

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I use a mixture of clips and videos, up to date space news from NASA and ESA. I also do a lot of practical activities. Fruit Solar System, Toilet Roll Solar System etc. I use Flipgrid for children to present research and we design a Mars Lander or Moon Base most years. 

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I use a lot of websites and videos, and have a good collection of books and display resources. I like to link to other areas of the curriculum, particularly English, DT and art. Practical activities are trickier - they usually involve a torch. 

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I use a lot of websites and videos, and have a good collection of books and display resources. I like to link to other areas of the curriculum, particularly English, DT and art. Practical activities are trickier - they usually involve a torch. 

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I use a lot of images and models that I have crafted during my teaching  years.

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I am currently teaching it for the first time via online learning and finding that visual demonstrations are very effective. I have also challenged them with researching a chosen planet to help foster more excitement in their learning- for some they have really managed to go above and beyond what I asked of them and presented their findings in creative ways. 

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I am currently teaching it for the first time via online learning and finding that visual demonstrations are very effective. I have also challenged them with researching a chosen planet to help foster more excitement in their learning- for some they have really managed to go above and beyond what I asked of them and presented their findings in creative ways. 

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Using NASA's website, as well as the NSO and ESA have been great to provide interactive and interesting resources. Also using virtual reality to visit Mars is very exciting for my pupils working from their computers.

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Teachers aim to teach science as a core subject in ways that are imaginative, purposeful, well-managed and engaging.  Our science curriculum teaches children a balance of knowledge content, practical investigative science, mathematical application and collaborative group work. Our curriculum is mapped out into a ‘Core Learning Document’ which highlights prior knowledge, key points of learning, deeper learning opportunities, essential vocabulary and progressive skills coverage. 

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Teachers aim to teach science as a core subject in ways that are imaginative, purposeful, well-managed and engaging.  Our science curriculum teaches children a balance of knowledge content, practical investigative science, mathematical application and collaborative group work. Our curriculum is mapped out into a ‘Core Learning Document’ which highlights prior knowledge, key points of learning, deeper learning opportunities, essential vocabulary and progressive skills coverage. 

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I like to provide visuals to accompany complex astronomical topics. I work at a science centre where I use a planetarium to display the universe and illustrate it's workings.
Recently, I have participated in making videos that explain sky science and space exploration topics. These videos utilise local astrophotography to showcase sky sights.

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Grade 6 & 9 - Sky Science - See the Station

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Hi I am such a big fan of the MI theory where children are capable of being intelligent in 9 different ways.  To be inclusive to the learners, I will tailor lesson plans that resonate/reflect each type of intelligence.

Then I would like the learners to be as involved in their learning of space as much as possible as they adopt a project and work on it over the term.  This is open ended, yet it aims to be inclusive and fosters others skills such as research, problem solving, and critical thinking.

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I show them videos and images from space, solar system, planets, and then we discuss some details about them. At the end of the lesson we usually make a craft like a rocket made of paper.

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I show them videos and images from space, solar system, planets, and then we discuss some details about them. At the end of the lesson we usually make a craft like a rocket made of paper.

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Αστροναύτης στο φεγγάρι

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This video will help my students to understand more our topic. Science is very interesting subject. We should used different techniques or methods to make our topic interesting. It is depend on us.

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Learning The Solar System With Blippi | Science Videos For Kids

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On a CPD day we looked at drawing the planets onto a long strip of paper so we could see a scaled distance between the planets. I helped to put it into perspective and I will try it with the Year 5 and 6 children in my school.

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The Ogden Trust - Promoting the teaching and learning of physics

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The purpose of this activity is to challenge simple models we have of the universe. Although the planets are not to scale in this model and are positioned in a line rather than at different locations in their orbits, it helps us visualise the huge distances between the Sun and the planets. This is a great activity to use in the classroom when introducing a research enquiry to find out more about the solar system.

The video takes you through the activity; a resource card and video transcript can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Transcript available on YouTube.

Downloads
Published: 14 August 2019 Back to resources

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Phizzi practical: solar system in my pocket - The Ogden Trust

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The purpose of this activity is to challenge simple models we have of the universe. Although the planets are not to scale in this model and are positioned in a line rather than at different locations in their orbits, it helps us visualise the huge distances between the Sun and the planets.

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This will be my first time teaching about space and the solar system.... The children are very excited, as I am.

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We like to relate space science to our place here on Earth.  We live in Australia under the Southern Cross so that is always a great starting point.

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We like to relate space science to our place here on Earth.  We live in Australia under the Southern Cross so that is always a great starting point.

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I'm just learning Astronomy in a day centre for young adults with disabilities.

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As a practitioner in early years i found that the children found this topic very interesting. The use of visuals, animations and videos brought the topic to life. The children particular enjoy watching Chris Hadfield video's on youtube. There are so many engaging activities relating to this topic.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ-qLUIj_A0
This is a beautiful, slightly melancholic song and simple animation.  It introduces, in turn, the sun and the eight planets, each with its own verse of key facts.  It is great for teaching younger children, who love learning it and singing it themselves, but could also help older ones.

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I am a kindergarten teacher from Argentina

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I am a kindergarten teacher from Argentina

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Children usually find this project really interesting and, believe it or not, it is incredibly meaningful for them. They love space and I use songs, videos, role playing: We pretend we are astronauts and we fly to Mars!
I always plan the activities in order to include all children s abilities and senses, to give all my students the opportunity to get involved in the topic.

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Teaching the solar system requires visuals. When teaching this topic I would use engaging videos or songs. A model of the solar system is also great as the children are able to observe and manipulate.
Engaging the children in creating their own models is also very motivating and exciting for them. It provides first-hand learning!

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The Project Based Approach/MI THEORY in action

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The Project Based Approach/MI THEORY in action

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Hi I am such a big fan of the MI theory where children are capable of being intelligent in 9 different ways.  To be inclusive to the learners, I will tailor lesson plans that resonate/reflect each type of intelligence.

Then I would like the learners to be as involved in their learning of space as much as possible as they adopt a project and work on it over the term. This is open ended, yet it aims to be inclusive and fosters others skills such as research, problem solving, and critical thinking.

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Moon phases - ball and torch. Then kids will create the moon phases using Oreo biscuits (remove the white stuff from the biscuit according to the phases). They also create a model on the movement of the Earth/Sun/Moon.

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What an amazing time to become a teacher - all these amazing resources and people willing to share. I will certainly 'Magpie' many of these super ideas!

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I am not a science teacher. But in our curriculum we have science classes. Normally I use big posters, flashcards with a picture and some interesting information.We watch videos. I ask parents to install SkyView applicattion on their devices. So now, they can not only observe but also know exactly what they see in the sky.

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i love teaching space science cuz its broadens my students mind and kept their mind busy   on imagination...they always wait for this topic to reveal...  

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i love teaching space science cuz its broadens my students mind and kept their mind busy   on imagination...they always wait for this topic to reveal...  

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Currently I am not teaching science and the solar system to my class and have no resources. I have started bookmarking web sites and YouTube videos and including NASA and now Royal Observatory, Greenwich.

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I once gave a seminar presentation on the use of Mathematics in Astronomy, during my graduation. 

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I once gave a seminar presentation on the use of Mathematics in Astronomy, during my graduation. 

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I intrigued interest about the topic by using videos which showed the beauty of space. We turned the lights off. The audience became fascinated about the topic. I used different quotations to collaborate Mathematics with Astronomy, for instance "Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe"_Galileo Galilei. I still remember the quotation. 😄 By this, I intrigued interest about Astronomy,  in the audience who were Mathematicians and who never knew about or were never interested in Astronomy.  I used questioning and humor to engage the audience. I applied easy Mathematics to the space science to solve the problems like finding out the masses, distances, volumes, number of days, brightness, etc. of the celestial objects. I did this so that the audience could easily understand. It went well and after that some people told me that from then on they also became interested in Astronomy. Great achievement for me! Made my day!

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Space is vast and as a teacher I find it inhibiting to chose what part of space once should learn at this space and time.  Instead start with observing what we know from space in our own homes, like observing the moon.   I would encourage a moon diary and ask the children to draw the moon every night for a couple of weeks.  The ongoing diary also teaches the skill of documentation and observation.  I would then illicit what other facts the group knows about space.  I would encourage the project based approach of understanding space.

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Line a telescope up and look at the rings of Saturn - that's a winner (me and my kids do but I'm not a teacher)! Otherwise those apps that use AR to show you the stars, planets (and ISS!) in the sky, including during the day. Plus all those crazy amazing big number to describe distance and size?! Ooh, and those YouTube videos that show relative size of planets that make our sun look itsy bitsy by comparison.

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The key is to foster imagination and investigation

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The key is to foster imagination and investigation

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I have only taught younger year levels and was filling in for another teacher. I did a sun earth moon model using 3 different sized balls. I also sometimes got kids to get into groups of 3 and be the sun/moon/earth to demonstrate the rotating and orbiting. I found they understood it more after they did that with their bodies. My favourite activity is with year 3 where we got kids to make a playdoh model of the earth, and used different colours for each layer. The kids made the playdoh from scratch and the layers then cut a chunk out to make them visible. So cool

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I have only taught younger year levels and was filling in for another teacher. I did a sun earth moon model using 3 different sized balls. I also sometimes got kids to get into groups of 3 and be the sun/moon/earth to demonstrate the rotating and orbiting. I found they understood it more after they did that with their bodies. My favourite activity is with year 3 where we got kids to make a playdoh model of the earth, and used different colours for each layer. The kids made the playdoh from scratch and the layers then cut a chunk out to make them visible. So cool

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The students and I focused on exploring how the craters on the Moon were formed.
Materials: crystal balls of different sizes and weights, flour, disposable plates

Procedure: pour flour into the bowls, students drop crystal balls of different sizes and weights on the flour, observe and record findings.

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i haven't taught astronomy yet but hopefully this course will give me more confidence

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Educator Guide: Mission to Mars Unit | NASA/JPL Edu

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In this standards-aligned unit, students learn about Mars, design a mission to explore the planet, build and test model spacecraft and components, and engage in scientific exploration.

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I am an informal astronomy educator and a planetarium volunteer.  When I teach about Earth/Moon/Sun system I like to make the sessions as practical and interactive as possible, and I also like to talk about the relative sizes of the bodies and their distances, because those things are often misunderstood (although the extent you can do this depends on the age of the students.)                          Earth – students can “be” the Earth, stand up and show how the Earth moves ie spinning on its axis. Earth/Moon size – with a globe for the Earth, ask the students how big they think the moon is on the same scale?  You can have balls of different sizes and they can vote for the one they think is the correct size, or they can cut circles out of paper to show the size they think. Earth/Moon distance – one student holds the Earth globe, another holds the moon ball, ask how far apart they think the 2 objects should be.  Other students can also stand where they think the moon should be.  Correct distance is about 30 times the diameter of the Earth globe.

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I am an informal astronomy educator and a planetarium volunteer.  When I teach about Earth/Moon/Sun system I like to make the sessions as practical and interactive as possible, and I also like to talk about the relative sizes of the bodies and their distances, because those things are often misunderstood (although the extent you can do this depends on the age of the students.)                          Earth – students can “be” the Earth, stand up and show how the Earth moves ie spinning on its axis. Earth/Moon size – with a globe for the Earth, ask the students how big they think the moon is on the same scale?  You can have balls of different sizes and they can vote for the one they think is the correct size, or they can cut circles out of paper to show the size they think. Earth/Moon distance – one student holds the Earth globe, another holds the moon ball, ask how far apart they think the 2 objects should be.  Other students can also stand where they think the moon should be.  Correct distance is about 30 times the diameter of the Earth globe.

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Sarah Abotsi-Masters

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Items to begin with an open question Explorify are good for these. EG what would happen if the Earth stopped spinning? This usually leads to questions , how fast is the Earth spinning, which way do we spin? Why don’t we fall off or get dizzy? Then I would play a clip explaining about the rotation of the Earth and day and night. I would ask groups to model day and night with torches and a globe and then draw a diagram to check understanding. Then I would follow up on children’s questions .

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I have been teaching the dynamics of the four elements (Aristotle) and the fourfold nature of the plant to biodynamic agricultural students. How this relates to Lunar and biodynamic calendars for planning agricultural activities. For this reason I hve developed a magnetic geo-centric system (Ptolemy) with reference to the 12 constellations and four elements. Biodynamic Astrosphere. I have found this approach most helpful with young children as it gives them a sense of place within the cosmos.

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I have been teaching the dynamics of the four elements (Aristotle) and the fourfold nature of the plant to biodynamic agricultural students. How this relates to Lunar and biodynamic calendars for planning agricultural activities. For this reason I hve developed a magnetic geo-centric system (Ptolemy) with reference to the 12 constellations and four elements. Biodynamic Astrosphere. I have found this approach most helpful with young children as it gives them a sense of place within the cosmos.

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Biodynamic Astrosphere:

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By using pictures and power point presentation

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KWL charts, static electricity and gravity experiments after discussing Big Bang, models of Sun Earth Moon showing orbit/rotation, Moon phases peephole box/torch, oreo phases of the moon, constellation pinholes in card, look at Aboriginals as the first astronomers (and the Greeks), scale model of planets, Bill Nye the Science Guy clips are fun, balloon rocket investigations, crater investigations, sundial/shadow investigations, NASA website,

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I havent taught astronomy yet and am looking forward to using some of the ideas on here

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I havent taught astronomy yet and am looking forward to using some of the ideas on here

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I have not taught this topic as of yet but I am loving all of these ideas and teaching tips. Thank you so much. I have gained lots of ideas which will be useful in my own planning in the future when I do teach this topic. 

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I have not taught this topic as of yet but I am loving all of these ideas and teaching tips. Thank you so much. I have gained lots of ideas which will be useful in my own planning in the future when I do teach this topic. 

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I don't teach science, but an exercise I have done with my children to help them understand the vast sizes and distances of our solar system is to build a model to scale.  I did all the math associate with it, but after they new the numbers - the kids made the planets.  It was fun and made me feel really, really small.

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I don't teach science, but an exercise I have done with my children to help them understand the vast sizes and distances of our solar system is to build a model to scale.  I did all the math associate with it, but after they new the numbers - the kids made the planets.  It was fun and made me feel really, really small.

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At our science center, we use a variety of resources and hands-on activities to teach space science. Many come from  the National Informal Science Education Network's collection of space science kits from various years that provide us with materials and facilitation guides. Besides these, some of my go-to activities for this subject are "Sizing up the Moon" which uses playdough to explore the differences between the sizes of Earth and her moon, "Pinhole Science" to explore light and telescopes, and "Moon Balls" which uses ping pong balls on skewers and a strong light to demonstrate the rotation and phases of the moon. -Marie

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I have not taught astronomy, but when I have taught science in my class I show them through experiments.

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I have not taught astronomy, but when I have taught science in my class I show them through experiments.

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I haven't yet taught this subject but all these ideas are fantastic. Thankyou 

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I haven't yet taught this subject but all these ideas are fantastic. Thankyou 

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There are lots of wonderfal materials on the ESA Kids website, teacher resources, activity plans with background information about space missions, short videos for kids, insights from astronauts, animations with Paxi (a cute alien), and articles for kids to read. There are also online games and
competitions to get involved in! https://www.esa.int/kids/en/home

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Space for Kids! ESA Kids features space news, information, animations and downloads for kids aged between 6 and 12

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* hanging the inflatable planets up in order and come up with a mnemonic for remembering them in order.
*Working out a scale we can use to draw the planets in the playground.
*dropping 'meteors' from different heights and measuring craters.
*creating stop motion videos to explain moon phases
*listening to Holst the planets
*researching various Apollo missions and feeding back

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Lots of role play with tennis ball, ping pong ball and beach ball to show orbits.

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Lots of role play with tennis ball, ping pong ball and beach ball to show orbits.

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Lego-man, torch and globe great for showing day and night alongside this clip.

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I use practical ideas to show how the earth rotates (globes and torches) and how the seasons work. Children being planets and lining up in the playground.  We watch lots of videos, books and search engines to find out information.

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We run outreach sessions at schools and for other organisations.  We have telescopes and binoculars available plus steps that young children can climb on to get a good view.   Do this on a night when the Moon is on view and hopefully the International Space Station passes over!

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We run outreach sessions at schools and for other organisations.  We have telescopes and binoculars available plus steps that young children can climb on to get a good view.   Do this on a night when the Moon is on view and hopefully the International Space Station passes over!

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If you're a teacher who really wants to talk to students about the Solar System, you should try the following task:

Do some research on the planets in the afternoon to get a good idea on what you are planning to say at home, then make a presentation on them containing interesting facts, details and explanations (e.g. Mars is considered the Red Planet, but long ago, it was covered in water like Earth). Kids can learn a lot from this and could possibly become astronomers or Tim Peake clones when they leave school.

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I  teach this kind of topic by first getting them interested to the topic like letting them act as the whole solar system. Later on, they will watch a video that quite animated so that their attention will still be into it.

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I use lots of videos and pictures to try and show scale. I try to include one fact to inspire awe and wonder.

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I use balls and torches to show moon phases and how light/dark works.

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Explain students that they are news reporter. Scientists have located an asteroid that will pass awfully close to Earth. They must have to explain to viewers:

1. What is an asteroid.

2. A list of events that could occur if the asteroid hits Earth

3. A drawing of how close the asteroid will pass

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Mind map at the beginning, what do you know, what would you like to know.
Lots of clips from BBS bitesize and other educational sites (such as ROG) to investigate the Solar System. Create a mnemonic / silly sentence to learn the order of the planets. Using a comparison site to show the difference in size between two of the planets at a time (quite cool). Build the Solar System in different ways (in playground in school - looking at distances and sizes (using toilet roll and scale). Build a model in school (DT link). Discussing vocabulary: planet, star, dwarf planet, gas using games.
At the end of the unit we have a visiting planetarium which consolidates their learning.

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Start at the sun and work outwards.
I have a scale model cut out with distances to the neighboring planets. I think the sun is about 30cm diameter and the earth is a pin head. getting some poor kid to run waayyyyyyyy out to be Neptune would be great but our schools not big enough. I think I might try it on a string down the stairwell if I remember.
Kahoot is pretty good for checking at the end of a space unit.

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Go right back to basics, maybe using a baseline assessment to see what they already know to inform planning. You can't assume the children will have the understanding they should for their year group. I use a lot of pictures, videos, models and practical activities.