The Solar System
The Sun together with all the planets, moons and other bodies that travel around it make up the Solar System. From the Sun the planets are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Each travels along its own path, an orbit. The first four are small rocky planets: Mercury is closest to the Sun and the smallest; Venus is very hot with thick clouds; Earth is the only planet known to have life; Mars is reddish and cold. The next four are giant gas planets: Jupiter is the biggest; Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings; Uranus and Neptune are very cold and blue-green. Planets shine steadily without twinkling, and Venus is the brightest “star” in the sky.
“Living Solar System”: one child stands in the middle as the Sun, and 8 children with name cards walk around in order as planets. The others check the order.