From Sun to Saturn & Beyond

From Sun to Saturn & Beyond lesson plan

With a partner, research the planets in our solar system. Colorful Crayola Model Magic® creates an out-of-this-world 3-D science display!

  • 1.

    With a partner, research the eight planets that travel around the sun. With Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils, list the planets, their distances from the sun, their sizes, and other physical features, such as moons, oceans, temperature ranges, or rings. If you need to make a correction, just erase.  

  • 2.

    Paint outer space. Cover your art area with newspaper. Together, paint cardboard with Crayola Washable Paint and brushes. Try layers of color, dry-brush strokes, and other techniques so that it looks like outer space. Air-dry your painting.

  • 3.

    Shape the solar system. Use Crayola Model Magic to make 3-D models of each planet and our sun. Choose different colors and sizes so that they look authentic. If you wish, make little flags on toothpicks to label your solar system.

  • 4.

    Put your display together. Attach the planets with Crayola School Glue in their correct order in relationship to the sun. Air-dry. Present your model, with your information about the planets and the sun, to other children or your families.

Benefits

  • Children work in pairs to research and identify the planets in the solar system.
  • Children apply their research to develop a 3-D model of the solar system that represents the major planets.
  • Children present their models and information to other students or their families.

Adaptations

  • Label the planets in at least two languages. Why not use all of the languages spoken by children in your class?
  • Make a planet necklace with Model Magic. Poke a hole through planets and string them on yarn.
  • Listen to Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite "The Planets" while building your model. Which planets are missing from his suite. Why?
  • Choose one of the planets, other than Earth, to visit. Make a picture journal of the things you see and do when you go there.
  • In a large, safe outdoor area, measure the solar system, to scale.