describe the Solar System in terms of the Earth, Sun and planets

use reference books to obtain specific information about each planet of the Solar System (e.g. diameter, distance from the Sun)

make a large picture of the Solar System, using the information collected earlier

Pupils should be familiar with the term 'orbit' and the names of the planets. The vastness of space and the distances between planets should be recognised. In the composite 'picture', scale and relative distance would pose great challenges. Simply getting the planets in correct size order would suffice.

arrange the planets in order from the Sun and predict which would be the hottest and the coldest

suggest how a covering of gases - an atmosphere - might influence the temperature of a planet.

Emphasise the great size of the Sun and the large quantities of heat and light energy released at all times. Venus has an atmosphere but is close to the Sun and very hot. We are further away and our atmosphere helps protect us from extreme temperatures. We are the only planet where water is present as a liquid and has not frozen or boiled away as gas.

Uranus also has an atmosphere but is so far away from the Sun that it is very cold.