Planets | Space Day Theme | Numbers | Science
Preschool Lesson Plan Printable Activities

Themes

Instructions and Suggestions

Materials

Today the activities are going to focus on introducing The Eight Planets, the children will hear some brief facts for each planet, then they will identify that the planets are shaped like a circle and they will practice numbers 1 thru 8 by doing a simple activity in which they will see how each planet is positioned away from the sun.  Here is a 2006 revised definition for what is a planet. There are eight planets and three dwarf planets in the solar system.

Activity #1:  Learn Planet Facts at KidZone's Planet Facts 
1.  At Kidzone's Planet Facts  young children will get to see neat pictures of the planets and you can share (adapt to the children's age) some basic facts about planets.  Share with children that this report about the planets was prepared by Tasha age 7!  Great job!  

Activity #2:   Fun with Planets: Practice Circles, Colors, Count to 1 to 9
At Kidzone's Planet Facts you can do the following activities:
1.   Ask what shape are the planets.
2.   Have the children try to identify colors in each planet.
3.  Ask children to point to the planet that has rings around it.  
4.  Count the planets from 1 to 8.

Activity #3:   Practice Numbers 1 - 8 with the Planets  - Planet Banner or Mobile Ages 3 to 8
View this image of the eight planets, and the dwarf planets:  Ceres, Pluto and Eris to support the activities below.

1.  Print these planets color images planets page  1 (exclude the smallest, Pluto, now a dwarf planet) and planet page 2 > Saturn
planet page 3 > Jupiter. and write the numbers 1 through 8 in order:  
#1 Mercury, #2 Venus, #3 Earth, #4 Mars, #5 Jupiter, #6 Saturn, #7 Uranus, #8 Neptune -  This is the order of the planets from closest to farthest from the sun.
2.  Explain to children there are eight planets, and show the planet page and count together. Explain s/he will be placing the planets in the order in which they are from closest to farthest from the sun with the help of numbers.
3.  Proceed to make a vertical o horizontal banner or a mobile and write numbers 1 thru 8 in the same order.  Use dark blue construction paper for banner.

For advanced projects for the whole family visit:  At Home Astronomy

Print these planet images  
planets  1 (exclude Pluto)
planet > Saturn
planet > Jupiter

For banner:
Dark blue construction paper
scissors
glue

For mobile:
string
paper plate

Related printable materials in the Outer Space Theme

To view updates to these activities visit: http://www.first-school.ws/activities/occasions/spaceday.htm
© First-School.ws Preschool Activities and Crafts