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Beyond our solar system
Lesson Plan
Objectives
By the end of this unit the children should:
• Understand that our solar system is just one of many billions of systems of planets orbiting stars.
• Understand that, when we look at the stars, some appear to be in fixed positions relative to each other, and
that we call these groups constellations.
• Be able to identify some constellations.
• Know that groups of star systems form galaxies and that our galaxy is called the Milky Way.
Key Teaching Points
The Universe comprises billions of billions of stars, many of which are orbited by groups of planets in the
same way that Earth and seven other planets orbit a star (the Sun). These systems of stars and planets group
together to form galaxies. Our galaxy, which contains at least 100 billion stars, is a spiral-shaped galaxy called
the Milky Way. From Earth it is possible to see another nearby galaxy, Andromeda, with the naked eye, and
others are visible through telescopes. Looking at the night sky from Earth, some stars appear to be in fixed
positions relative to each other. We call these groups of stars constellations. Easily recognised constellations
include Orion, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Starter Activity (10 minutes)
Organise the children into pairs or small groups and provide each pair/group with a set of Earth and beyond
cards.
Ask the pairs/groups to match each term to its meaning and image.
Check that the pairs/groups have arranged the cards correctly and address any vocabulary issues that might
arise. Note: The names Moon, Sun and Milky Way are capitalised, whereas the other terms are not.
Main Activity (40 minutes)
Play the film Constellations.
Explain to the children that, although the constellations are always visible together in
the night sky, the stars that form them are many trillions of kilometres apart and are not
connected to each other in any way.
Common misconception: Some children may think that stars “disappear” or “go away” during the day. Ensure
they understand that the stars are still there, but they cannot be seen during the day due to the vast amount of
light from the Sun. At night, the contrast between starlight and the surrounding sky is sufficient to enable the
stars to stand out and be seen. However, light pollution can obscure starlight, making it difficult to spot certain
stars, particularly in built-up urban areas where there is a lot of artificial lighting.
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Beyond our solar system
Lesson Plan
Main Activity (40 minutes)
Explain to the children that, in ancient times, people looked at the stars and saw groups of stars appearing
together – just as we do today. These groups change their position in the sky throughout the night, which
happens as the Earth rotates on its axis. People named the groups and told stories or created myths about
them. Many are named after animals or gods and goddesses, particularly from Roman and Greek mythology.
There are 88 named constellations, some of which are visible only in the northern hemisphere whist some can
only be seen in the southern hemisphere, others are visible from both. The positions of the constellations not
only change through each night due to the Earth’s rotation on its axis, but also throughout the year, as the Earth
orbits the Sun.
Display the Constellation images, provided in the classroom visuals, on the whiteboard.
Next, display the Constellation outlines that give the constellations their names. The children should see how
the group of stars make a particular shape or animal, although it might take a stretch of the imagination to see
this. They may feel the group of stars looks more like something else entirely!
Play the film The Big Bang.
Optional Extra
Challenge the children to draw one of the constellations and rename it based on what they think
it looks like. They may like to consider a more modern object or a different animal. An example is
provided in the classroom visuals, which you can display on the whiteboard as a starting point.
Organise the children into pairs or small groups and give each pair/group the Earth and beyond cards, omitting
the terms Milky Way, Sun, Moon, constellation and their associated definitions and images.
Ask the children to arrange the terms and their corresponding pictures into size order, starting with
the largest. Ensure the children have arranged the items correctly, and resolve any disputes. Universe,
galaxy, solar system, star, planet, moon.
Ask: How can we see clearly into space and learn far more about the Universe than is possible with the naked
eye? Using an extremely powerful telescope.
Play the film Hubble Space Telescope.
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Beyond our solar system
Lesson Plan
Further Questions
• Why are stars and constellations not visible during the day? The constellations are still there, but light
from the Sun is so bright in comparison to starlight that they simply don’t stand out.
Review (10 minutes)
Use one or more of the following films to conclude the lesson:
Play the film Big reveal.
Ask:
1) What is the name of the galaxy that our solar system belongs to? The Milky Way.
2) What is the meaning of the term “galaxy”? A massive group of stars bound together by gravity.
Play the film Odd one out.
(You can pause at 00:30 and ask the children to discuss their ideas with a partner.)
Ask: Can you name any other constellations? Ursa minor, Scorpio, Leo, and many more.
Play the film Clip (Exoplanets).
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